Obituary for Lois Adam (Thew)
Lois Adam
February 11, 1930 - December 23, 2019
It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Lois, beloved wife of George Adam of Calgary, AB, on Monday Dec. 23, 2019 at the age of 89. Our Mom lived a truly amazing and full life.
Lois Thew was born in Bredenbury, Saskatchewan and for most of her childhood, grew up in a house with no central heating or indoor plumbing with her 9 older brothers and sisters.
She moved to Alberta with her family and attended high school in Calgary while working in a chocolate shop. After public school she studied nursing at the Royal Alex Hospital in Edmonton and was employed as a Registered Nurse in Alberta after graduating in 1953. In June of 1955 she completed a five week intense training class and was hired by Trans Canada Airlines to be one of the first “Air Stewardesses” in the country.
She met our dad, George, and they were soon engaged. Due to rules at the time she had to leave her job as it was a requirement for flight attendants to be nurses, as well as unmarried.
George and Lois were married on Sept. 26, 1956. They started their family and built the house in 1958 that is still the family home. They recently celebrated their 63rd anniversary in September of this year, at that same address.
George and Lois had 4 children, 3 grandchildren, very special neighbours, countless friends and colleagues. They travelled a great part of the world, both as part of George’s career as a Civil Engineer with Con-Force and Genstar, and with family and friends. For over 50 years, summer travel by trailer was a tradition. After renting trailers for a few years and deciding to purchase one, an ambitious trip to the Montreal Expo was taken in 1967. Preceding and after that, there were many trips to Waterton Peace Park with the Rotarians, trips to British Columbia and within Alberta, and 38 years camping at Priest Lake, in Idaho. There were also years of enjoyable visits to the Fort Steele Campground, which created a lifetime friendship with the Young family. Mom was quite involved with the Rotary Anns of South Calgary and every summer she participated in selling tickets to the Rotary Dream Home at the Stampede. For years they were involved with the Queens and Jacks square dancing group and their annual campouts were a highlight.
Born at the start of the great depression Mom was way ahead of her time. She was tiny but mighty. She was 5 foot and ½ inch, and always added that ½ inch when asked. “Unable” was not in her lexicon. She was one of the first women in the area to own a car, was the electrician and plumber in the house, and attacked renovations and décor with vigor. Mom had a full time job taking care of busy kids, with piano lessons, swimming, dancing, skating, skiing, singing, choir and church, most of the traditional extra-curricular activities of the time. Her passion for life was vast. She was an extraordinary artist and seamstress, and saw magic all around her.
In addition to her husband George, Lois leaves behind her four children Wayne (Joyce), Marina (Claude), Shelley (Simon) and Darren (Michelle) and 3 grandchildren, Lindsay (Matt), Krista, and Ryley.
Special thanks to Dr. Brian Kim, staff at RockyView, South Calgary campus and Home Instead for their care of mom in the last 2 years.
As per her wishes, there will be no formal service, and the family will hold a Celebration of Life at a later date.
In preference over flowers, please make any donations to the charity of your choice.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Lois please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.
February 11, 1930 - December 23, 2019
It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Lois, beloved wife of George Adam of Calgary, AB, on Monday Dec. 23, 2019 at the age of 89. Our Mom lived a truly amazing and full life.
Lois Thew was born in Bredenbury, Saskatchewan and for most of her childhood, grew up in a house with no central heating or indoor plumbing with her 9 older brothers and sisters.
She moved to Alberta with her family and attended high school in Calgary while working in a chocolate shop. After public school she studied nursing at the Royal Alex Hospital in Edmonton and was employed as a Registered Nurse in Alberta after graduating in 1953. In June of 1955 she completed a five week intense training class and was hired by Trans Canada Airlines to be one of the first “Air Stewardesses” in the country.
She met our dad, George, and they were soon engaged. Due to rules at the time she had to leave her job as it was a requirement for flight attendants to be nurses, as well as unmarried.
George and Lois were married on Sept. 26, 1956. They started their family and built the house in 1958 that is still the family home. They recently celebrated their 63rd anniversary in September of this year, at that same address.
George and Lois had 4 children, 3 grandchildren, very special neighbours, countless friends and colleagues. They travelled a great part of the world, both as part of George’s career as a Civil Engineer with Con-Force and Genstar, and with family and friends. For over 50 years, summer travel by trailer was a tradition. After renting trailers for a few years and deciding to purchase one, an ambitious trip to the Montreal Expo was taken in 1967. Preceding and after that, there were many trips to Waterton Peace Park with the Rotarians, trips to British Columbia and within Alberta, and 38 years camping at Priest Lake, in Idaho. There were also years of enjoyable visits to the Fort Steele Campground, which created a lifetime friendship with the Young family. Mom was quite involved with the Rotary Anns of South Calgary and every summer she participated in selling tickets to the Rotary Dream Home at the Stampede. For years they were involved with the Queens and Jacks square dancing group and their annual campouts were a highlight.
Born at the start of the great depression Mom was way ahead of her time. She was tiny but mighty. She was 5 foot and ½ inch, and always added that ½ inch when asked. “Unable” was not in her lexicon. She was one of the first women in the area to own a car, was the electrician and plumber in the house, and attacked renovations and décor with vigor. Mom had a full time job taking care of busy kids, with piano lessons, swimming, dancing, skating, skiing, singing, choir and church, most of the traditional extra-curricular activities of the time. Her passion for life was vast. She was an extraordinary artist and seamstress, and saw magic all around her.
In addition to her husband George, Lois leaves behind her four children Wayne (Joyce), Marina (Claude), Shelley (Simon) and Darren (Michelle) and 3 grandchildren, Lindsay (Matt), Krista, and Ryley.
Special thanks to Dr. Brian Kim, staff at RockyView, South Calgary campus and Home Instead for their care of mom in the last 2 years.
As per her wishes, there will be no formal service, and the family will hold a Celebration of Life at a later date.
In preference over flowers, please make any donations to the charity of your choice.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Lois please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.