WALSH
Dora
Dora Walsh of Red Deer, formerly of Lacombe and Alix, passed away on June 26, 2014 one day short of her 87th birthday at the Michener Hill Extended Care Facility. Dora was born on June 27th, 1927 in Mission, BC to Norma and Lester Miller. She was the youngest of 3 children. Dora married Bill Walsh in 1949. They lived in Rocky Mountain House where 2 daughters; Maureen and Wendy were born. In 1950 they moved to Mirror and then in 1953 they moved to Alix and resided in the "Creamery House" for a few years, where Tracy was born, then eventually moved to their last house on the North end of town. Dora worked as an egg grader and cream tester for the Central Alberta Dairy Pool. Later on she worked for Mildred Wardley at the Gulf (99) restaurant and then Linda Watt at the Alix Hotel restaurant. She also excelled at gardening and it was common to find her tending to the garden if you came down to visit during the summer. She was well known for her cucumber and tomato growing ability. She enjoyed listening to music as well as playing it on the banjo. Her cooking talents also were noted and enjoyed by the many people she prepared meals for down at the house in Alix. The season of fall was a busy one for mom as she canned and preserved her garden produce. Her and Bill also travelled out to Creston, BC to bring fruit home for canning as well. As she and Bill grew older, it became harder to maintain the effort required to keep the large gardening activities going. They subdivided the property and sold it. That took care of 2/3rds of the garden. They looked after this smaller plot for a few more years and then when Bill passed away in 2002, it took too much effort for Dora to look after it on her own, she sold the Alix property in 2004 and moved to an apartment in Lacombe. She resided there until 2009 when she moved to Parkvale Lodge in Red Deer. She made many friends and really enjoyed the activities and the atmosphere there. She resided there until a couple of broken hips slowed her down to the point where she moved into Michener Hill Extended Care in 2011. She still spoke of dancing that she enjoyed once her hips got better enough to allow her to grace the dance floor again. She was predeceased, by her husband Bill, parents Lester and Norma, Sister Annie, Brother Lester, Stepson Jack, Step grandson Bill, Grandson Gary and Son-in-law Lawrence. She is survived by her daughters: Maureen (Clare) Portsmouth of Lacombe, Wendy Renschler of Red Deer, son Tracy (Sandy) Walsh of Red Deer, Step daughter-in-law Leona Walsh of Loyalist, step-daughter Vivian (Len) Poole of Campbell River, as well as numerous grandchildren, Step grandchildren, great-grandchildren, Step great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, Step great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. At Dora's request there will be no funeral or Memorial Service. In lieu of flowers, if friends wish donations can be made to the Lending Cupboard in Red Deer: 5406C 43rd Street, Red Deer, AB T4N-1C9.