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HARDING, Dora  

1929-2021

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dora Harding, our beloved mom, grandmother, great grandmother and sister. She passed away peacefully on Friday, March 19 with her children at her side in the Keir Care Centre, Barrhead, at the age of 91.

Dora was born on Dec 6, 1929 to Andres and Martha Wende, the oldest of 9 children, in Bruderheim, Alberta where she spent her formative years.

She is lovingly remembered by her son Garry Borg (Ruth), daughter Linda Hewitt (Reg) and daughter Sandra Harding (Dwaine); grandchildren: Chandra Devaux, Jodie Holden (Grenn), Shawn Hewitt, Kyla Oatway (Tyson), Anthony Borg (Samantha), Ashley Smith (Chris) and Warren Borg (Elizabeth); great grandchildren: Sierra Devaux, Kianna Holden, Reilly Holden, Rowyn Smith, Erik Smith, Ryker Oatway, Ayvril Holden and Cade Oatway; and her brother Rudy Wende and sisters Erna Johnson, Margaret Christianson (Don) and Eleanor Skaley (Sig) as well as nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; husbands Anton Borg and Edward Harding, partner Fred St. Arnault, brothers Raymond, Albert and William and sister, Esther.  

Mom truly appreciated  family dinners, socializing and playing cards with family and friends, activities at the seniors’ centre, attending country opry’s, and especially, dancing! 

Memories from her children:

Garry: One of my best memories of my mom is sitting on her knee every week reading the children’s story from the “Family Herald” magazine. Today I am grateful that she taught me my ABC’s and to count to 100 before I began Grade 1. Her thoughtful teaching gave me a great start in school, university and life.

Linda: One of my best memories of Mom when I was growing up was picking blueberries and wild strawberries. Another great memory was going to the Delta Drive-in theatre. My brother, sister and I would ride in the back of the truck on a mattress and sing songs. When we got to the drive-in, we would all squeeze into the cab of the old Mercury truck to watch the movie and eat snacks.  On the way home we would lie on the mattress and watch the stars go by and then the girders on the bridge, if we hadn’t fallen asleep. Many times mom and I would walk around the fields and then visit Mrs. Wallis for cake and coffee. We had great visits, something mom loved to do. When I moved to Barrhead, I would take Mom to Glamery Greenhouses to buy flowers and plants. We would go back home, plant them and then go for an ice cream treat.  Many Sundays I would go for a visit after she came home from church.  I would also take Mom and Fred to bingo and supper in Westlock as bingo was another one of her fun activities. Such great memories …

Sandra: Sometime in the 1960’s, during the winter months, we would be almost out of coal oil fuel for the lamps. As my dad was away on the trapline, our mom would bundle up her 3 children and walk down the steep riverbank, cross the Freeman River and trudge through the bush, making a path in the snow to enable us to make our way to our Aunt Annie and Uncles Hegward’s place. This was a trip of about 1 1/2 miles one way. We always stayed for the day and had so much fun playing with our cousins while mom visited. Before dark we would walk back home this time up the steep bank with my brother carrying the coal oil. Mom often had to help me as she said my little legs just couldn’t make another step. What a trooper our mother was, never taking a gun or any other means of protection. She was never fearful of the wilderness. I always loved it when she tucked me into bed pushing the blankets tightly on either side of me so they fit just right. Many good times were spent at Granny Wende’s with many of our Aunts and Uncles playing the card game “Bugger Your Neighbour” as mom so loved to play cards. She also loved to dance so much that she was called the dancing sister. There are so many memories that I cannot begin to mention them all. We did not have much in the way of possessions but we had a whole lot of love.

The family would like to thank the Keir Care staff for thoughtfully caring for our mother. A family service was held on Wednesday, Mar 24 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Barrhead. 

Donations made in Dora’s memory to a charity of your choice will be appreciated by the family; making such donations was something Dora did regularly.

Rose Garden Chapel

780-674-4644

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