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Obituaries

Alice Lorraine Bennett Fortier

May 28, 1933 - April 28, 2021

Text:

Obituary For Alice Lorraine Bennett Fortier

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Alice Lorraine Fortier announces her passing at the QEII Hospital, in Grande Prairie, AB, on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at the age of 87 years.

Alice was born in Edmonton, AB, on May 28, 1933. In response to a letter looking for a “fair, blue-eyed, dark haired girl”, the Beulah Home for unfortunate Women and Girls in Edmonton sent a nurse carrying a tiny baby girl on the train from Edmonton to Wanham, AB. There they passed the wriggling little bundle with full nappies to her new parents, Harold and Ada Bennett. A long ride in the horse-drawn buggy took them to their modest cabin in Peoria, AB, where Alice began life. With little more then huge gardens, plentiful wild game, hard work, and loving hearts, they forged their difficult paths through the Great Depression and WWII. The lessons learned throughout this trying time, honed Alice and her families characters.

When she was 16, Alice went off to Vermillion College where she enrolled in the Home Economics course. Shortly after college Alice married and started a family which grew to 7 children. As Alice raised her family on a small grain farm, she passed the survival lessons she learned from her youth on to her own children. She planted a large garden where all the kids learned the difference between weeds and crop. Like a mother bear, she showed her cubs all the good berry patches that grew along the Smoky River. She taught her family how to butcher and preserve moose, deer and hundreds of chickens over the years. She sat on the seat of the John Deere tractor and pointed to rocks and roots that required her kid’s immediate attention as the farm slowly expanded. She hauled grain from the field, cooked huge nutritious meals, and taught her girls to cook and sew. Each of her children continued the tradition of hard work while raising their own families.

In 1976, Alice moved to Grande Prairie where she resided until her passing. She had various jobs over the years such as a florist, care giver and working at the Grande Prairie Museum for many years. She loved a road trip at any time of the year. She could talk non-stop about the history of the Peoria, Heart Valley and Grande Prairie regions. She looked forward to family gatherings and the opportunity to go berry picking or a trip to visit any of her family. In 2015, Alice moved to Heritage Lodge where she enjoyed living and spent many hours knitting or crocheting mittens and toques for charity.

Alice is survived by her children: Robert (Fay) Scriba of Sherwood Park, AB, Judy (Arnold) Lunn of Tangent, AB, Donna (Larry) Deschene of Grande Prairie, AB, Linda Wozniak (Fred Isayew) of Prince Albert, SK, David (Linda) Renner of Sexsmith, AB, James (Terri-Lynne) Renner of Beiseker, AB, and Thomas (Jaynie) Renner of Grande Prairie, AB; as well as 20 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. Alice was a very gregarious person and will be missed by numerous longtime friends from her Vermillion College days and various volunteer positions she held.

Alice was predeceased by her parents Ada and Harold Bennett, brother Fred Bennett, son-in-law Don Wozniak. Due to Covid-19 restrictions a small family celebration will be held in her honor.

A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at 11:00am, at Grande Prairie Cemetery.

A livestream is available on Alice’s obituary page on the Oliver’s Funeral Home website prior to the service. Click here to view the Service https://www.facebook.com/olivers.funeral.home/

Alice’s family would sincerely like to thank the Staff at Heritage Lodge and the QEII Hospital for the dedicated care that she received over the past several years and difficult past few days. You are all angels in disguise.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to STARS (10911 123 St., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 7Z3) or Grande Spirit Foundation (9505 102 Ave., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 7G9).

Services

8 May

Interment

Grande Prairie Cemetery , Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

  • June 24, 2021

    Roessler Colleen and Dennis

    Our sincere condolences to David, Linda, Tom and Jaynie and all of Alice's family. A mother is your first friend and a forever friend. Cherish the memories of a life well lived. Dennis and Colleen Roessler

  • June 24, 2021

    White Joan E

    To the family of Alice. So sorry for the loss of your mother. She was such a dear friend to my family and I will really miss her too. After the loss of my own mother your mother kept in contact calling herself my (udder mutter). We will love her forever a true friend . Joan and Charlie.

  • June 24, 2021

    Tarrant Colleen

    My deepest condolences to all of you. On my first visit to Peoria with my Dad, Alice left a lasting impression. After her moving to Grande Prairie, I looked forward to our conversations. Alice will be missed. You are all in my thoughts.

  • June 24, 2021

    Farrell Bohnke Betty

    My deepest condolences to you. I met Alice when I first arrived in this area, wie worked together with 4H. Only saw her a few times after she moved, but always had fond memories. May your memories be comforting.

  • June 24, 2021

    Sawchuk Anne

    The Stitch Club of Grande Prairie sends our condolences to the family on the tremendous loss of Alice. Alice was a huge addition to our club, sharing her love of laughter, sharp wit and compassion for others. She often brought funny poetry or articles to share and regularly asked the club to share a happy experience from our lives. We will greatly miss her in our circle of friends.

  • June 24, 2021

    Murray David

    To the Families. My Heart is saddened with the Crossing of Mrs. Fortier. My Deepest condolences. Our familes know each other from Heart Valley and our Mothers are Very Good Friends. She always had a Friendly Hello and always had time. She is not gone, just lost in time.

We are experiencing some technical difficulties with our Obituaries.  We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible.  Our apologies for any inconvenience.

 

To view the livestream of Sandra Van Schaick (Saturday at 11:00 am) or Glenn Kochendorfer (Monday at 2:00 pm) visit https://www.facebook.com/olivers.funeral.home/

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