Mrs. Edith Gitzel of Grande Prairie, AB passed away on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at the QEII Hospital, at the age of 90 years, in the arms of her family.

Edith was born in Grande Prairie at the old Grande Prairie Hospital. She grew up in Sexsmith and moved to Grande Prairie as a young woman. Mom worked a variety of jobs as a young woman but the majority of her working life was as a bookkeeper, first for Motorcar Supply and then for Acklands for 30+ years until she retired in 1992.

Mom’s greatest joy were her 4 grandchildren whom she boasted about regularly: their successes in school, careers, and sports. Mom was a volunteer with the QEII Hospital Auxiliary for many years, working in the gift shop and then with volunteer activities when Dad lived in Mackenzie Place. Mom and Dad enjoyed many fun times together with Kinsmen and hockey activities. Above all, Mom loved watching sports. Curling, baseball, hockey, and football games were Mom’s favorite pastime in the evenings.

Mom loved her years living at the Chateaux at Ivy Lake. She sat on the Board and kept the books during her tenure there. She had a wonderful group of friends that she played cards with every week. In 2012 Mom moved to Wild Rose Villas and again loved her apartment and the group of friends she made there. Last fall Mom made her last move over to the Lodge at Wild Rose.

The family would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the wonderful Home Care and Wild Rose staff who became Mom’s second family these last years of her life. Additionally, our deep appreciation is extended to Dr. Mequanent and Monique for their years of support. Lastly, our thanks to all the QEII Staff and Physicians who cared for Mom in her final 2 weeks.

Edith will be lovingly remembered by her three sons: Preston of Grande Prairie; Van (Bonnie) of Kamloops and their daughter Shawna (Stew) of Vancouver; and Kelly (Diana) of Grande Prairie and their children: Dylan (Edmonton), Shelby and Kelsey (Grande Prairie). She is also survived by sister Ida, sister in-law Connie Ross, as well as numerous nieces and nephews on the Gitzel and Ross sides.

Edith was predeceased by her husband Herb in 2000, parents Mike and Christina Ross, sister Sarah, and brothers Jack and Cliff.

Funeral Service for the late Edith Gitzel will be held on Friday, August 10, 2018, at 1:00pm, at Faith Lutheran Church in Grande Prairie (9610 108 Ave). A private interment for family will be held at Grande Prairie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Faith Lutheran Church (​9610 108 Ave., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 1N3) or the War Amps (www.waramps.ca), Mom’s favorite charity.