CALDER, Marion

July 19, 1942 – March 15, 2026

It is with profound sadness that we announce that our Mom, Marion Calder (nee Vennard), passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Red Deer. Marion was born on July 19, 1942, in Whitewood, SK, to William and Ethel Vennard. She was the fourth of five children. Marion’s mother and younger brother passed away 2 months apart in 1959. Mom was living in Regina when she met her best friend and love of her life, Jim Calder. They were married on August 19, 1961, and in 1962, they moved to Calgary. They lived in Calgary until 1972. During this time, Marion was a stay-at-home mom as Jim and Marion had three daughters – Valerie, Mitzi, and Shelley. Her girls were the centre of her universe, and she enjoyed showing them how to bake, knit, and crochet. Mom was also a very good seamstress and sewed most of her girls’ clothes. Back in the day, most of the fabric was polyester and the choice for most of Mom’s sewing. Of course, all the outfits were matching (even hers), as we can see in the numerous pictures taken at that time. Due to the fact that polyester is very flammable and we would stand together in a group for these pictures, one spark and we would have all melted together—a fact talked about a lot in later years. The family moved to Terrace, BC, in 1972 and were able to enjoy camping and fishing. Marion volunteered at the elementary school the girls attended, helping in the classroom and library. Jim, Marion, and the girls moved back to Alberta in 1977, living in Eckville for several years. Mom played softball with the Eckville ladies softball team for a few years and was very good at it. As empty-nesters, Mom and Dad moved to Red Deer in 1989. It was in Red Deer that she worked for a few years at Fabricland – a seamstress’ dream job. By this time, Mom and Dad had three grandsons—Brady, Dacen, and Jayden. She was very close to her grandsons and enjoyed their company very much. Jim retired in 2005, and they moved to Whitewood, SK, to enjoy their retirement. They moved back to Alberta in 2009 as all 3 daughters and their families still lived in Alberta and, as Marion told everyone, “Jim misses his family too much and had to move back” (thoughts are that she missed everyone too much). They settled in Daysland and lived there until Dad passed away in 2015 from brain cancer. Mom stayed in Daysland until 2017 and decided to move to Red Deer to be closer to everyone. She lived on her own until 2022, when a stroke forced the move to a long-term care facility. Mom moved into Michener Extendicare in Red Deer and lived there until her passing. Marion is survived by her daughters, Valerie (Nolan) Matthews, Mitzi (Fred) Anderson, and Shelley (Trent) Bureyko; her grandsons, Brady Calder, Dacen Bureyko, and Jayden (Savannah) Bureyko. She is also survived by one sister and brother-in-law, Carol (Cliff) Miskosky; 2 brothers-in-law, John Calder and Larry (Pauline) Calder; 1 sister-in-law, Muriel Koskela; and numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends. Marion was predeceased by her husband, Jim; parents, Bill and Ethel; sister and brother-in-law, Donna (John) Donald; brother and sister-in-law, Ken (Dorothy) Vennard; and youngest brother, Keith Vennard. Also predeceased on Jim’s side by 1 brother-in-law and 3 sisters-in-law. You couldn’t wish for a better Mom than Marion. She looked after everyone—even sewing all of Dad’s flannel work shirts. Mom was always sewing something. She sewed the bridesmaids’ dresses for two of her three girls’ weddings. Baking, cooking, sewing, knitting, gardening, and anything else that needed doing were just some of the things that she would do. After her grandsons came along, Mom really got into knitting socks for all the family—regular socks and thicker work socks were always being knitted. Her grandsons liked the thick work socks in their work boots. Also, there was never a shortage of jammie pants, as you were guaranteed at least one pair at Christmas. Mom will be missed so much. Her passing has left a huge hole in our family. We would like to thank Michener Extendicare caregivers for the excellent care that Mom received while living there. We would also like to thank Unit 24 at Red Deer Hospital for their wonderful care of Mom at the end. Marion has been cremated and had requested that there be no service. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

ONLY LOCALLY FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER

“Caring Community Compassion Since 1999”

6287 – 67A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

• Date : 2026-03-29
• Location : Parkland Funeral Home (Red Deer) www.parklandfuneralhome.com 403.340.4040