It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Violet (Vi) Ann Ward (nee Martin), beloved wife of Allan Ward, of Calgary, AB, on Sunday, November 8, 2020 at the age of 82 years.
Vi was born on March 28, 1938 in Calgary, AB, to Thomas and Olga Martin. Vi grew up on the family farm near Buffalo, AB. Her interest in caring for people took her to Calgary, where she attended SAIT to train as a Nursing Aid. Vi subsequently took jobs in Stettler, Drumheller, High River and Holy Cross Hospital in Calgary.
Vi met Allan in 1956, the two dated and were married in January 1961. They settled in the village of Big Valley where Allan worked for British American Oil, which later became Gulf Canada. Later that same year, Vi and Allan were blessed with the first of three sons, Darcy in November 1961, Darren in 1964 and Layne 1967.
Allan's career in the oil industry took the family from Big Valley to Stettler in 1979 and then to Calgary in 1985, where Allan retired from Gulf in 1992 and from the oil industry in 2008. After Allan's retirement the couple took up condo life and soon circled themselves with numerous close friends.
Vi had many passions including professional sports which involved season tickets to the Flames and Stampeders, cooking and trading recipes with daughters, walks with Allan at Bowness Park and Baker Park, lattes, and iced cappuccinos. Vi and Allan travelled around the world during retirement, visiting Australia, British Isles, Europe, Mexico, Costa Rica, Caribbean and the USA.
Vi unselfishly donated her time during her years in Big Valley to UCW/Legion and countless other community events. Generosity, selflessness, caring, mental and physical strength were part of Vi, right up to the last minute of her passing.
Besides her loving husband Allan, Vi is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law, Darcy and Marion of Olds, Darren and Kathy of Red Deer, Layne and Laura of Calgary; her grandchildren, Morgan and Ayden; her sister Nina Dziatkewich; her sister-in-law Muriel Martin; godson Clinton Martin of Bolivia; and many nieces and nephews.
Vi was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Olga Martin; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary and George McNaughton, Alice and Peter Melnychyn, Mike and Joe Dziatkewich; and brother Donald Martin.
A Private Service will be held within COVID restrictions. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Vi's obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 - 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca.
In living memory of Violet Ward, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.
McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes