Obituaries

April 15, 1919 - February 28, 2018
Our beloved mother, Zella, passed peacefully in Kelowna B.C. on February 28, 2018, after a well- lived life. She is now free from Alzheimer's Disease which had her captive in her later years, years she handled with courage and grace. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Al Consay, in 2012 as well as her sister Dorothy and brother Osborne. Left to survive and remember her are her daughters Lois (Larry Kolmatycki) of Edmonton, Coleen (Jerry Shimek) of Sherwood Park and Norma (John Laing) of Kelowna, as well as 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

A farm girl from Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, Zella excelled in school and sports and continued her education at the University of Saskatchewan and the Normal School so she could teach. She taught at Hilldrop School near Shellbrook, Govan, Blucher and Saskatoon. At Blucher she met a wonderful young man, Al Consay, whom she married in 1945. Their life together took them to Toronto, Saskatoon and Calgary, with a daughter born in each city. They built a house in Elboya in Calgary in 1951, sharing the prairie with three other families and hundreds of gophers. When all her daughters were in school, Zella returned to teaching, teaching kindergarten at "Happy Hours Kindergarten".

Zella took pleasure in contributing to her community. She and Al were active in forming the Elboya Community Association and in the founding of Riverview United Church. Zella served the church faithfully as Sunday School Superintendent, Christian Education Director, UCW member and president, church board member and as a representative at Calgary, Alberta and National Conference as well as numerous committees. In 1976 she helped establish the Conference Lending Library in Calgary along with many other volunteers. She went on to work there part time until 1991. In addition, she conducted countless curriculum workshops around the province. The church was the hub of Zella's life, next to her family. As her daughters, our interests always came first, and she and Dad gave us a wonderful childhood.

In 2010, Zella and Al left their beloved Calgary and moved to Kelowna B.C. to be closer to family. A year later she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.

Zella was dedicated, caring, adventurous, energetic, and fun-loving. She was very active at The Glencoe Club over the years, golfing into her 80's and curling until she turned 90. She loved to travel and visit new places and cared about the people all over the world. She was a role model for her children and grandchildren and she will be greatly missed and forever loved.

Many thanks to the kind and caring staff at Orchard Manor who were so good to Mom over the past six years, and a special thank you to our good friend Elaine, who faithfully visited Mom and made such a difference to the quality of her life. A service in Zella's memory will be held in Kelowna at a later day. If anyone wishes to honor her, a donation to The Alzheimer's Society is a suggestion.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com, 250-860-7077.

• Mar 08, 2018
  So sorry to hear Norma and John that your Mom had passed away. I remember when she first moved to Kelowna and having coffee with her at the church and how nice and pleasant and tidy she was. Also, seeing her around on Alameda Court.
  
  My condolences, Pauly
  
  

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