Edna Irene Squarok
December 1922 to August 2019
It is with great sadness that we say good-bye to our mother, grandmother & great-grandmother who passed away peacefully August 1st at the age of 96. She will be lovingly remembered & sadly missed by her children-Janet Schnellback/Egan; Geof (Danielle); Gillian Pye; Jackie Stakkestad; Jim (Leona); Andy; Rob, 15 grandchildren & 10 great-grandchildren; 1 brother Norman (Alma) & 2 sister-in laws Ann & Kay along with numerous nieces & nephews. Edna was pre-deceased by husband John, daughter Patsy, grandson Darcy, & 4 son in-laws Jack, Ernie, Lloyd & Danny, parents Fred & Ada, 3 brothers Harold, Manfred & Raymond.
Edna was born in Loughborough, Leicesteshire. England and met John while he was on leave during World War ll & they were married in 1943.
Mom immigrated to Canada in 1946 to join dad & settled on a farm (pioneer style living) at Minburn, Alberta where Janet, Patsy, Geoffrey, Gillian & Jackie were born; then to Bowness in 1958 & along came Jimmy then to Edmonton in 1961 which added Andy & Rob to the crew.
In Edmonton, mom joined the Edmonton War Brides Association & spent many hours reminiscing & getting re-acquainted with other War Brides. These ladies knew how to have a good time no matter the circumstances. Mom was very proud to be a Canadian. She took the chance on coming to Canada not knowing what she was in for & made the best of the very challenge she faced.
Mom & Dad joined the Northgate Loins Senior Centre where they participate in several programs. Moms favorites being card making; calligraphy; washi chigiri-e. Everyone always anticipated the arrival of one of these beautiful handmade cards on all occasions.
Mom loved to laugh & she thoroughly enjoyed being teased by many family members & friends. On many occasions the results would be a good belly laugh.
WE THANK GOD FOR BLESSING US WITH SUCH A STRONG, CARING, HAPPY, INTELLIGENT & CREATIVE MOM!!!!!
THANK YOU to all the angels at Venta Care Centre.
Cremation has taken place & the Funeral will be held at St. Michael & All Angels Angilcan Church, 5003 -146 Ave., Edmonton on Friday, August 9th at 1:00p.m.
Donations to St. Michael & All Angles Anglican Church.
"THANK YOU MOM FOR THE GREAT MEMORIES"
What lovely words about a very special lady. I was always impressed when hearing stories of my brave Auntie Edna who fell in love with a Canadian solider and moved so far away to be with him. Growing up I was intrigued to hear about life in Canada and was so very lucky to have visited 3 times where I was made so welcome, and we had such a lot of fun. Likewise when the Canadians visited us, we felt like royalty were coming. Edna’s last trip was amazing, I’ll never forget walking round Edinburgh all day and then being kept up till midnight playing Saskatchewan rummy by my 86 year old aunt, it was exhausting! Lots of happy memories, a lovely family left behind, peace now, sleep well auntie xxx
I’m sure Grandpa was waiting dressed in his finest with some flowers and a huge smile! His win our loss! I promise to keep my socks pulled up! Love and miss!
I will always admire our mom for the determination she had, to come to Canada to a farm in the boonies since she was born and raised in a small town in England. She didn’t know anyone and to come to a farm with the nearest neighbour a mile away and in-laws that didn’t speak English now that’s gutsy. Mom always told me that her dad said “you’ll be back home in 5 years to stay” and mom said that it was always in the back of her mind and that she was stubborn and determined that it was not going to happen. As it turned out her parents came to her in 1948 for 3 months.
I think we can all be very thankful for the wonderful life and cherished memories we all have and the many times that the going got tough (money) mom and dad always made sure we had food in our bellies and a roof over our head.
The true love mom and dad had for one another – from when mom arrived in Canada to the day that dad was hospitalized, dad would always bring mom a cup of tea in bed every single morning (unless he was out of town working).
Mom taught us many many games and she was always game for trying new ones. She sure enjoyed the games especially at get togethers – “bride & groom” game; saucepan lid on your head and knees together and do a relay; the orange/grapefruit in the leg of panty hose hanging down between your legs and tied around your waist trying to get to the finish line hitting the loss orange all the way, talk about laughs til you’re in tears. What a hoot!!! I’m so thankful for all the memories & laughs we have so enjoyed.
I’m thankful for many times mom was there for me – when I had my children; the loss of both husbands; teaching us all to be there for one another especially when I lost Darcy.
Always willing to pitch in whether it be baking for the ACW & brownie/girl guide bake sales; helping at garage sales; organizing or helping with parties; family and church functions. Remember the WELSH TEA CAKES for Brandi’s brownie/girl guide sales that never made it there as Jack bought them all-they were the best & now your grand daughter has carried this on just like yours mom.
Our mom and dad have created so many wonderful memories for us to treasurer-to many to pick just a favorite. You will always be in our hearts.
Dean’s favorite memory was when he bought his 1st new vehicle, a Red 1996 Monte Carlo SS, went and picked up grandma and took her for a ride out to Aunty Jill and Uncle Ernie’s new house in Cardiff. The seats were so comfortable that grandma had a little map on the way out. He will always remember that time as she was so happy and proud to be the first person to ride in his 1st new vehicle as mom wasn’t home at the time.
I think Darcy always treasured the talks him and grandma would have regarding history especially underground castles, the monarchy, etc.
Brandi said when growing up we were lucky to spend plenty of time and holidays with our grandparents. I personally was able to have sleepovers without anyone else, and when I would go, my dad always requested Welsh Tea Cakes so we always made them. Grandma and I would go downtown for lunch and shopping, taking the bus and LRT. She always had candies in her purse that were mint toffees with butterscotch swirl in them for the ride on the LRT. There was also the time when I was still taking hairdressing in high school and she needed a perm, she trusted me to do it at home, it ended up over processing and it turned out like sheep’s wool, but she didn’t get mad just said it’ll grow out. So those are just some of the many memories that we have.
THANK YOU MOM & GRANDMA FOR THE TREASURED MEMORIES WE ALWAYS HOLD NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEARTS.
I stumbled upon your mother’s obituary just recently. I was shocked because my mother’s name is Irene Squarok. Your mother and my mother are clearly two different people but I don’t understand. I was always under the impression that the name Squarok was so unusual that if I found another Squarok, that there must be a connection but I don’t think there is. If you know of any connection, please let me know. Also, my father’s name was John.
My memories of Grandma are her smile & laugh. She was always busy doing things like exercise classes, calligraphy, baking and watching the Olympics when they were on. I remember her walking and my mom (Patsy) would say it is like she is going to a fire cause she walked so fast. Grandma always had good treats in the house when we would come to visit.
Grandma was an awesome mom, grandmother and great grandmother.
Grandma will be missed a lot by her family. She is now in heaven with her husband,brothers,daughter,son in laws and grandson. We know they are having good laughs and playing games up there as well as watching over us.
Such big life in such a little package!
We’ll forever have our memories of good times, funny stories, crazy games… but most of all… Grandma’s genuine laughter.
We shall miss the great Lady Edna (aka Grandma, aka G2),
Maggie, Chuck, Chanelle & Connor
Edna Irene Squarok I am proud to say was my Mom! She was such a fighter even in the last months of her life.
My Mom as a young girl growing up in England loved to hike, loved to bicycle; loved to swim. This is where I get my love for keeping active and playing sports. My children Michelle, Jamie, Brad and my grandson Luke continue to follow in my Mom’s footsteps.
My Mom was such a hard worker. Having and raising 8 children is no easy task (especially the 8 children she brought into this world). My Mom, along with my Dad, made sure we were fed, clothed and had a roof over our heads.
My Mom loved to laugh and enjoyed being around people. She loved to play games. I have fond memories of playing either Crib or Scrabble with my Mom and Dad on Sunday evenings. I still like to play Crib and have a scrabble game with anyone who is willing.
When Mom came out to BC to visit my family there had to be a Bocce game, some sort of card game, scrabble etc.
We loved to tease Mom, as did her grandchildren, all in fun. She took it like a trooper and always had a comeback to anything that was thrown at her.
My Mom and Dad introduced me to Yoga and attending the European Health Spa. To this day I still attend the Gym and enjoy the classes.
One particular Yoga instructor we had came straight from India. We had the class in the gym of an elementary school by our home. The first part of the class the instructor would give us background about Yoga. He found chalk and a chalkboard in the gym so this is where he loved to write down the lesson. After a few weeks of this my Mom decided she had enough of him writing on the chalkboard so she HID the chalk. Well to our surprise when the instructor showed up and could not find the chalk, he pulled a piece of chalk out of his pants and proceeded with writing on the board. My Mom and I could barely contain our laughter. He got one over on us.
There are so many memories where we laughed until we could not laugh no more. Another one was when we went over to Germany to visit Gill. On our return airplane flight from Germany to England were given a tray with a snack on it. There was a wrapped piece of something on the tray. Mom didn’t know what it was but obviously it must have been some sort of eatable. She unwrapped, what I think she thought was cheese) it and put it in her mouth not saying anything to me about what it was. After departing the plane and walking though the Big Heathrow Airport on the walkway Mom whispers to me that what she ate was a square of Butter not Cheese. We laughed so hard we could not walk straight. The other passengers must have thought we had a little bit to much to drink.
Such fond memories. Mom always welcomed friends and family into our home. Those friends and family remember that smile and how she loved to laugh.
We will miss you dearly Mom but know that you are in a great place with Johnny, Patsy, Jack, Danny, Ernie and Lloyd.
I am thankful for all that you have left me with. I am thankful that you are no longer suffering.
Lots of Love and Hugs your Number 5 offspring. Jackie
My condolences to all of the family for losing such a great mother, grandmother, friend.
I had a lot of fun spending time with Edna on her visits to B.C. We played lots of games and she had a nack for making up new rules along the way which usually worked in her favour. Very competitive. ha, ha. She was a real trooper. Lived with lots of aches and pains but never let that stop her from doing the things she liked to do. Always found joy in life and participating in everything she possibly could. I admired those qualities especially. She will be missed but eternity has gained a special soul.
Keith so sorry to hear of your loss. Would love to touch base with you sometime.
All the best Roy Coty rcoty@telus.net
Hope to hear from you
I learned to play crib with my Dad and Grandma with my Grandpa help playing and I didn’t just learn how to play crib that day I learned that Grandma sometimes had a funny way of counting sometimes.
The last memory of my Grandma is when me and my Wife Jeannie where visiting her and we told her that we got married and that smile on her face.
Grandma’s laughter and smile could brighten a room.
Cheerio Grandma