Olive Mae Versluys passed away peacefully at the Vulcan General Hospital on May 20, 1992, at the age of 86 years.
Beloved wife of Mr. Corny Versluys and loving mother of a daughter Mary (Vernal) Haga, a son Stewart, all of Vulcan, a nephew Jim (Marj) Phelan of Calgary, 11 grandchildren, Sandra (Daniel) Scott of Toronto, Craig (Bonnie) Haga of Vulcan, Larry (Lee) Haga of Maple Ridge, Leslie (Pat) Barrott of Milo, Casey (Dorothy) Douglass of Innisfail, Darlene (Rick) Hautala of Golden, BC, Gail (Bob) Nardi of Whitehorse, YK, Patrick (Viv) Phelan of Edmonton, Gordon Phelan of Surrey, BC, Doug (Teresa) Phelan of Surrey and Ina (David) Hawkins of Auke Bay, Alaska, numerous great grandchildren from both the Versluys and Douglass marriages. She loved them all dearly and always had time for each and every one. Also survived by two sisters Hazel (Rhys) Herdman of Calgary and Della (Orlo) Doane of Vulcan.
She was predeceased by her husbands Harry Douglass in 1954 and James McWha, four brothers Colby Carr, Henry Carr, Arthur Carr and Sandy Carr, two sisters Willa Houlton and Myrtle Herdman and her parents.
Olive was born at Okotoks, Alberta on June 22, 1905 and came to the Vulcan area in 1912 with her parents Dell and Alice Carr to the Berrywater area farm. She completed high school at Okotoks and started dressmaking with her sister Hazel. She married Harry Douglass in 1927 and they lived on the Douglass farm in Berrywater during the hard times of the thirties. She will be well remembered for her helpfulness and kindness to neighbours, keeping an open door and never shunning from chores of love, sitting with the sick, dinners, laundry for the bachelors and always listening and considering the problems of others.
She remained very active in the social and community work throughout her life as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. She served as second Vice President of United Farm Women of Alberta and later with the Women of Unifarm, travelling and reestablishing organizations for Unifarm. While in Edmonton, she worked with the patients of Oliver, directing their recreational and craft activities. She also let her name stand for nomination for the Progressive Conservative Party against Lawrence Kendt.
She started dressmaking with her sister Hazel and went from home to home. Many brides will remember the beautiful wedding dresses and bridal party frocks she made. Some of her creations were intricately detailed with sequins, seed pearls and lace. Many will remember the weeks of fun and labour by teams of friends and neighbours of those work bees. She was also skilled in carpentry and oil painting with much of her work and memories in homes throughout the county.
She married Corny Versluys and together they travelled, mostly to Indio, California in the winter and back to Vulcan in the summer. Wherever she went, she touched the lives of people and made numerous close friends.
Funeral Service Tuesday, May 26, 1992 at 1 pm at the Vulcan United Church with Rev. Beverly Hill officiating. Interment to follow Wednesday, May 27 at 10 am at Mountain View Memorial Gardens (17 Ave.) At Garden Rd SE, Calgary.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Vulcan General Hospital ECG fund.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home, 403-485-2633.