It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our mother, ADRIA ALLEN, on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at the age of 89 years.
Adria was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother and she will be missed by everyone whose life she touched. She was predeceased by her husband Gib, and she leaves her children; Barry (Jeanne) Allen of Hamilton, Ontario, Julie (Igor) Shaskin of Lethbridge, and Janet Turner of Calgary, and her beloved grandchildren, Andrew (Laura Murphy-Burke) and Evan Shaskin and Troy and Kristen Turner to cherish her memory.
Born in Fillmore, Utah on February 10, 1932, Mom was raised along with her older sister, Gwenivere, by her mother, Vera Frampton, as her father, Adrian Frampton, had passed when she was three months old. Mother was raised to be a strong, independent woman by a strong, independent woman. Mom loved music and played in the band and orchestra in school. Upon graduation, she knew she wanted to pursue a career and chose Business College, receiving a Secretarial Diploma. She returned to Fillmore to work in the bank before venturing off to work for Utah Congressman, Dr. H. A. Dixon. She lived and worked in Washington, D. C., returning to Utah when she could. It was back in Utah that she was introduced to Dad by mutual friends. Mom and Dad were married in Washington, D.C. on July 23, 1956, honeymooning in Niagara Falls, on the way back to start their married life in Roy, Utah. Children came along, as did several job transfers, taking the family to Twin Falls, Idaho, Ogden, Utah, and Atkinson, Nebraska. In 1971, an opportunity arose to move the family to Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. Little did she know this would be her home for the next 50 years.
With all three kids in school, Mom returned to the workforce, taking a secretarial position at the University of Lethbridge. She initially worked in the Philosophy Department, then Colloquial Studies, and finally in the Psychology Department where she worked until her retirement in 1996 after 25 years at the U of L. We received a kind e-mail from a retired professor upon hearing of Mom's passing. His words, "If the Psych and Neuro Department had been a ship, she would have been Master of the Boat". Mom would have chuckled at that!
Mom and Dad enjoyed their retirement together. They had a lovely home that was beautifully decorated and maintained by both. Mom enjoyed baking and trying new recipes, especially ones from her favorite magazine, Canadian Living. She enjoyed reading and classical music was always playing in the house. In 2014, when Dad moved into assisted living, Mom moved to The Gardens, Independent Living. Mom had a lovely suite, once again ever so tastefully decorated. She was able to keep in touch with children, grandchildren, and friends on her iPad. She loved watching Netflix and CNN and now could watch and listen to music through her TV on YouTube!
Mom loved and was so very proud of her children and grandchildren and their accomplishments. She was at peace and accepting of her fate. She shared, "I've had a good life, a perfect life." We love you and miss you, Nana!
We would like to express our thanks and gratitude to the caregivers at St. Michael's Health Centre. Thank you to Mom's family doctor of many years, Dr. Annerien Van Der Poll, Palliative care physician, Dr. Hollis Roth, and Homecare nurse, Manoj Dhakal for your care over the years.
In keeping with Mom's wishes, no funeral will be held. Instead, a private family gathering will be held to scatter mom's ashes in the Scatter Garden at Mountain View Cemetery.