ROSS
Dr. Aileen MacLeod
Aileen Ross passed away peacefully on June 8, 2014 at the age of 85 years. She was born on October 14, 1928 in Aberdeen, Scotland, the elder of two children. Aileen trained as a nurse in Dartford, Kent, England, taking top honours in her class. She subsequently specialized in midwifery, training in Aberdeen. After marrying Dr. Eric Sinton, she spent some time in Israel and delivered her first child, Heather. Aileen's second daughter, Hilary, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and the family spent some time in Carlisle, England before emigrating to Medicine Hat, Alberta. Two sons were born there, John and Jeremy, prior to the family moving to Red Deer, Alberta. Aileen spent the next 10 years immersed in raising her family and volunteering in the community. After taking French courses at Lindsay Thurber High School, and following a trip to France, she decided to pursue more coursework at Red Deer College. She completed a B.A. in History and went on to earn an M.A. and Ph.D. in English literature at the University of Alberta, graduating with the latter at age 58. Her second career, teaching English, began at the University of Alberta and Red Deer College. She also taught at Canadian Union College in Lacombe and for Athabasca University. Incredibly, she continued to teach at Athabasca until the summer of 2013 when she suffered a stroke. Aileen will be deeply missed by her four children: Heather Sinton (David Walker), Hilary Johnson (Lyndon), John Sinton (Joyce) and Jeremy Sinton; five grandchildren: Sara Roset, Abbie Gerling, Micaela Gerling, Alyssa Gerling, Alasdair Sinton and two great-grandchildren, Ocean and Sahara Roset. She was predeceased by her father, William Ross; her mother, Edith Baster; her aunt, Mabel Baster; her uncle, Charles Baster; her brother, Bill; and two nephews, Alistair and Neil Ross. She will be lovingly remembered by her sister-in-law, Shirley Ross, and by her many friends and students. A Funeral service will be held on Friday, June 13 at 12 noon at Knox Presbyterian Church, 4718-50 Street (Ross St); 403-346-4560. Interment to follow in Red Deer Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to the Salvation Army (www.salvationarmy.org). Aileen and her family would like to thank the staff on Unit 32 of the Red Deer Regional Hospital, Dr. Hulyk, and also the staff at both Victoria Park and Aspen Ridge Retirement Residences in Red Deer for their care and kindness. Condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting
www.reddeerfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements entrusted to
RED DEER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM
6150 - 67 Street, Red Deer.
Phone (403) 347-3319.