CORDEL
Sarah Goodwin Cordel was born April 10, 1926 at Halkirk Alberta. She was the sixth Child of Tom and Sarah Rowland's family of 13. Being born on her mother's birthday she thus received her name. She received most of her education at the Spruce Creek School north of Halkirk. Coming from a large family in those years, during hard times made for a close knit family, and that closeness carried on throughout her life. Most of the family remained living near Halkirk, therefore frequent family gatherings were a way of life.
Sarah married Emile Cordel on December 21, 1944. They built a new house at the mine and lived in it for two years. Their first son Gordon was born while they lived there. They moved back to the farm and lived in Emile's father's house; Lynda and Dennis were born, while living there. Emile worked at the mine, and farmed. Sarah, like most housewives of that time, kept the house and the garden, and the meals, and the children. In 1960, they built a new home for their family, with a bedroom for each of the three children. But, soon after moving in, Deirdre arrived to complete the family. They remained on the family farm until 1986 when Alberta Power bought them out and they moved their home to Halkirk. Sarah moved to Stettler in October 1998 where she lived in her home until 2010, then moving to Paragon Place.
She was member of the Halkirk Royal Purple, Spruce Creek Ladies Aid, and The Sunny Circle Club. While being a member of the Royal Purple she enjoyed helping in the kitchen and visiting with the group while lending a hand.
Sarah took pride in her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and took every opportunity to be involved in their interests. She would follow them everywhere for support in their endeavors. Christmas concerts, sports events, school fund raisers, Grandma would always try to be there.
While living in Stettler, Sarah took up bowling with several of her Halkirk friends. Sarah was everybody’s mother, everybody's grandmother and everybody's friend. She always was a mother hen for her brothers and sisters often giving advice whether wanted or not. She felt it was her duty that everyone did as she expected them to do. She was a confidant for the grandchildren to go to, often hearing their side of the story before they would tell their parents. She had a great ear for listening and was not afraid to offer guidance. Dr. Grandma was the only one that could remove slivers from her grandkids without hurting. She could operate on them with a needle, but their mother never could. She had a special way of caring for everyone; this was evident in the way that she welcomed friends into her home and treated each as her family members.
Funeral services were held at Halkirk Community Hall, Halkirk, Alberta on September 6, 2012 at 2:00 PM with Rev. David M. Denholm officiating. Cathy Schaffner presented her gift of music for the hymns and prelude music. Vern Hein presented the eulogy. Interment was held at Notre Dame de Savoie Cemetery where she was laid to rest beside her husband Emile with her precious grandchildren Aaron Cordel, Jocelyn Olson, Khristina Kneeland, Coralie Ready, Scott Kneeland, Corrine Cordel, Jason Cordel, Rae-anne Cordel as honorary pallbearers and Adrian Cordel as pallbearer. Family and friends gathered at the Halkirk Hall for a time of fellowship and a luncheon by the Halkirk Hall Board. Memorial donations may be made to Notre Dame de Savoie Cemetery c/o Box 1780, Stettler, AB T0C 2L0. Condolences may be viewed or sent to the family at www.stettlerfuneralhome.com