Obituary for Rena Eileen McConkey (Fraser)
McConkey, Rena Eileen
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Rena Eileen McConkey on April 28, 2020 at the age of 67.
Rena is survived by her husband, Bill; sons, Billy, Ben (Alison) and Mark (Taylor); sister, Sandy; brother, Jim and leaves behind one grandchild, Owen William and many nieces and nephews. Rena was predeceased by her parents, Elmer and Vivienne and her brother, Barry.
Rena was born in Edmonton, Alberta on June 17, 1952 and throughout her childhood lived in Edmonton, Estevan, Wetaskiwin, and Calgary.
After graduating from Queen Elizabeth High School in Calgary, Rena attended the University of Calgary, where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology followed by a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. During university, Rena was a multi-sport athlete, being a member of the field hockey, synchronized swimming and basketball teams. Rena won a Canada West Championship in synchronized swimming in 1973 and a Canadian National Championship in field hockey in 1974.
Over her 37-year teaching career, she taught at St. Matthew’s Junior High School, St. Mary’s High School, Father Lacombe High School and retired in 2012 after teaching at Bishop Grandin High School for 30 years. Rena was a cherished teacher, coach and mentor because of her ability to build connections with students and positively impact many of their lives through her encouragement in their studies and sport. During this time, Rena was a staple in the athletic department coaching volleyball, field hockey and basketball. Rena was very passionate about sports and was well known in the athletic community for her no-nonsense attitude. She had a very successful coaching career winning a dozen city championships and several provincial appearances in multiple sports, many of which were won coaching alongside her husband Bill.
Rena enjoyed skiing in the winter months and swimming and lifeguarding in the summer months. She also taught swimming lessons for 10 years and only ever kicked out one student – her brother Jim.😊
Rena valued physical activity and throughout her life participated in field hockey, synchronized swimming, basketball, and dance. She was often seen running around Shawnessy with her faithful running mates – the family’s three dogs.
Her three boys were her number one passion. She loved watching their success in many sporting activities including hockey, football, lacrosse, and baseball.
She had a passion for reading, knitting and sewing matching outfits for her boys. Special memories were attending Coldplay, Bryan Adams, and Johnny Reid concerts and vacationing in Hawaii, Cayman Islands, and California with her family.
Rena was very young at heart and had a great sense of humour, which was enjoyed by her family and friends.
We would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff at Bethany Riverview for their dedicated and compassionate care.
Due to current restrictions on social gatherings, a Celebration of Rena’s Life will be announced at a later date when family and friends can be together, hug and share fond memories of an amazing woman.
For those who wish to make a donation in Rena’s memory, please do so to:
Kids Sport Calgary (http://www.kidsportcanada.ca/alberta/calgary/)
3555 – 52 Street SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2B 3R3
or
Animal Rescue Foundation (https://arf.ab.ca/)
PO Box 34160, RPO Westbrook, Calgary, Alberta, T3C 3W2
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Rena, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Rena Eileen McConkey on April 28, 2020 at the age of 67.
Rena is survived by her husband, Bill; sons, Billy, Ben (Alison) and Mark (Taylor); sister, Sandy; brother, Jim and leaves behind one grandchild, Owen William and many nieces and nephews. Rena was predeceased by her parents, Elmer and Vivienne and her brother, Barry.
Rena was born in Edmonton, Alberta on June 17, 1952 and throughout her childhood lived in Edmonton, Estevan, Wetaskiwin, and Calgary.
After graduating from Queen Elizabeth High School in Calgary, Rena attended the University of Calgary, where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology followed by a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. During university, Rena was a multi-sport athlete, being a member of the field hockey, synchronized swimming and basketball teams. Rena won a Canada West Championship in synchronized swimming in 1973 and a Canadian National Championship in field hockey in 1974.
Over her 37-year teaching career, she taught at St. Matthew’s Junior High School, St. Mary’s High School, Father Lacombe High School and retired in 2012 after teaching at Bishop Grandin High School for 30 years. Rena was a cherished teacher, coach and mentor because of her ability to build connections with students and positively impact many of their lives through her encouragement in their studies and sport. During this time, Rena was a staple in the athletic department coaching volleyball, field hockey and basketball. Rena was very passionate about sports and was well known in the athletic community for her no-nonsense attitude. She had a very successful coaching career winning a dozen city championships and several provincial appearances in multiple sports, many of which were won coaching alongside her husband Bill.
Rena enjoyed skiing in the winter months and swimming and lifeguarding in the summer months. She also taught swimming lessons for 10 years and only ever kicked out one student – her brother Jim.😊
Rena valued physical activity and throughout her life participated in field hockey, synchronized swimming, basketball, and dance. She was often seen running around Shawnessy with her faithful running mates – the family’s three dogs.
Her three boys were her number one passion. She loved watching their success in many sporting activities including hockey, football, lacrosse, and baseball.
She had a passion for reading, knitting and sewing matching outfits for her boys. Special memories were attending Coldplay, Bryan Adams, and Johnny Reid concerts and vacationing in Hawaii, Cayman Islands, and California with her family.
Rena was very young at heart and had a great sense of humour, which was enjoyed by her family and friends.
We would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff at Bethany Riverview for their dedicated and compassionate care.
Due to current restrictions on social gatherings, a Celebration of Rena’s Life will be announced at a later date when family and friends can be together, hug and share fond memories of an amazing woman.
For those who wish to make a donation in Rena’s memory, please do so to:
Kids Sport Calgary (http://www.kidsportcanada.ca/alberta/calgary/)
3555 – 52 Street SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2B 3R3
or
Animal Rescue Foundation (https://arf.ab.ca/)
PO Box 34160, RPO Westbrook, Calgary, Alberta, T3C 3W2
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Rena, please visit www.choicememorial.com.