WEDNESDAY, September 20, 2017

DAVIDSON

Our mom, Agnes Colleen Davidson, passed away at her home, which is where she wanted to be, on September 16, 2017. We are grateful that she was separated from her first love, our father, Leo Lamar Davidson, for only a few months as he preceded her on June 28, 2017. Our sadness for her passing is more than made up for by their joyful and loving reunion along with many other family and friends. Agnes and Leo are survived by their five children: Julie Fairbanks (Brent) of Calgary, Alberta; Doug Davidson (Nellie) of Ashburn, Virginia; Jim Davidson (Marie) of Bellevue, Washington; Colleen Low of Arlington, Texas; and Mark Davidson (Karen) of Edmonton, Alberta. Agnes was born in Cardston on September 8, 1926 to Hugh Russel Sloan and Rhoda Leota Hinman. She was the eighth of twelve children. She has two surviving brothers: Hugh Sloan of Springville, Utah, and Butch (Wallace) Sloan of Cardston, Alberta. Growing up she and her siblings loved to ride horses and swim in the river at the bottom of the hill from their home. Her father and many brothers were very involved in boxing and inevitably she would go a few rounds with them, always holding her own. Her youth was highlighted by the opportunity to play with the Shooting Stars, a very successfull girls basketball team, which went to the Canadian Nationals, ultimately losing in the semi-finals to the eventual winners. In and around Cardston she met, courted and eventually married Leo. They lived in Cardston where Dad ran a hardware store and she worked in a bank. They would move to Edmonton for a new job, but eventually a transfer returned them to Lethbridge where they remained. In Lethbridge Agnes worked along side Leo selling real estate for several years; her success was surpassed by her honesty. In 1972 they moved from the city to a small acreage where stood the old Perry home, which had been abandoned. They worked hard restoring the home and making it a cherished refuge for family and friends, and it remains so today. Agnes loved her family, friends, and strangers; she was most happy serving and taking care of them in ways that were uniquely her. There was nothing that made her happier than to sit around the table and visit after enjoying a delicious meal she always made. She was an exceptional home-maker, it seemed there was nothing she could not make, mend, clean or clean again. Agnes had many opportunities to serve both in the church and in the community. Guided by a strong, clear internal sense of right and wrong – she was Irish – she served with great energy, conviction and love. Together their formal church service was highlighted by missions served in Durban/Reunion, South Africa, and Madagascar. Her love for, and faith in our Heavenly Father’s Plan of Happiness, and the atonement of Jesus Christ were sufficient to sustain her through this life and, we trust, carry her on to a joyous reunion with our Dad. The funeral service will be held Saturday, September 23 at 2:00 pm at the Fairmont Ward Chapel, 205 Fairmont Boulevard South, Lethbridge, Alberta. Prior to the service there will be a family greeting from 1:00 – 1:45 pm. Internment will take place at the Mountain View cemetery with a family dinner to follow.

To send condolences, please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca

FORSYTH

ELNA JEAN FORSYTH finished her mortal journey on September 14, 2017 and joined her sweetheart Garth, who predeceased her on February 18, 2016. Jean was a country girl who loved the sunshine and the soil. Her love for flowers showed in her gardens and well kept yard.

Jean was born to William David and Elna (Bohne) Campbell on Sept 16, 1930 in Cardston, Alberta. She spent her growing up years in Hillspring, Alberta where she made many happy memories camping in the mountains, picking berries, fishing, and enjoying nature. Her love for the outdoors was later manifest in her paintings, with Old Chief mountain being her favourite subject.

Jean worked as cook at the Rothe ranch in the summer of 1948 where she met her handsome cowboy, Garth Dean Forsyth son of Neil Snow and Chloe Roseltha (Hatch) Forsyth. Garth and Jean were married on October 14, 1948 in Hillspring. In 1951, on the ninth of January, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Cardston Alberta Temple. They raised a large family with most of their married years spent in the Kimball valley where they enjoyed many friendships with families in the area. Jean was always busy gardening, bottling fruit, sewing clothes, tying quilts, and baking bread. Neighbours were blessed by her kind acts of service.

Garth and Jean served a mission at the Family History Center in Los Angeles California in 1993-1994. She also served in many church callings including positions of leadership in the Aetna Ward and the Blood Branch. She was a faithful visiting teacher and made her last visits the day before she passed away.

From a young age Jean loved being with children. She was considered a prime choice for a baby sitter in her younger years so it is no wonder that her children and grandchildren were her main focus and brought her much joy. They were always welcome to join her anytime at work or at play. When the family was together it was not unusual to hear Jean’s giggle as she watched the grandchildren play. Her large posterity have been blessed by her patient, kind, and cheerful example.

Jean is survived by her 10 children, Rex (Betty Lou); Gene (Debra Lyle); Randy (Kathy); Tim (Sherri); Linda (David) Ames; Shane (Sharon); Necia (Richard) Kittler; Scott (Teri); Becky (Kevin Penner); and Bonnie (Darcy) Erickson; her foster son Wilfred (Charlotte) Marks Sr.; 52 grandchildren, 141 great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter. She is also survived by three brothers: Allen (Anna), Darrel (Edith) and Wendell (Debra) Campbell; and three sisters Ruth Barton, Flora Lee and Colleen Hummelle and sisters-in-law Nonavee Campbell and Glenda Campbell. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, her parents, three brothers: Walton (Phaedra), David, and Blaine Campbell; one sister: Annetta Lou Campbell; a brother-in-law: LaVerne Hummelle; a sister-in-law: Wendy Campbell; a daughter-in-law: Karyn Forsyth; two granddaughters: Tausha and Marie; and one great-grandson: Clayton.

The family expresses appreciation to all those whose kind words, visits, sincere regards, and reminiscing, cheered and lifted her recently. We also express gratitude to nurses and staff at the Chinook Lodge and at Lee Crest who took such good care of her this past year and a half.

Family will greet friends at the Legacy Funeral Home, on Thursday, September 21st from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. or at the church from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service.

The Funeral service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Cardston Alberta West Stake Center, 846 1st Ave W, Cardston, Alberta on Friday, September 22nd, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.

Interment to follow in the Cardston Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to: http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca