Lena Shellian
In the early morning of January 30, our precious mother, grandmother and friend Lena Shellian passed away peacefully with family around her. Devoted wife to Andy ( 1918-1990 ) Loving mother to Suzan (Gord Frey) of Canmore, Perry of Edmonton and Barry of Rocky Mountain House. Proud grandmother to Samantha Macfarlane ( Larry) Tasha Frey- Bidniak (Mike) and Kale Frey.
Lena loved her amazing great grand kids Gavin and Ty, she loved watching them play, explore and make memories in her backyard. She has many nieces and nephews
Lena was born in Canmore, Sept 17, 1931 to John and Elizabeth Stec. The youngest of four children, she enjoyed growing up in Prospect with her sisters Mary, Julie, brother John and all the kids who made up the prospect gang. After graduation Lena worked in Calgary for the Bank of Montreal, but her heart was in Canmore. She returned to the mountains to work in the Company Store. She married Andy and shortly afterwards began growing their family, making the small house on Three Sisters Drive into a home.
Lena had a passion for the outdoors. She enjoyed hiking, biking, fishing and gardening. She could tell you the best fishing spots and kept her raspberry bushes in pristine condition. At the end of every summer, you were so lucky to get a jar of Granny’s home made jam. Baking, preserving and trying new recipes were also one of her passions. She loved when she could share her baking with someone. The grandkids loved spending time with “Granny in the Mountains”, there was always an adventure to be had. Lena was an ambitious and talented curler, playing on different teams and traveling to many fun bonspiels around Alberta. She could always place the rock in exactly the right place.
Granny was one to share what it was like in the “olden days’ in Canmore, so volunteering at the Canmore Museum was her happy place. Lena was on the committee that erected the Miners Statue outside the Canmore Hotel, she collected miners names who worked in the valley and organized the Miners Wall at the Canmore museum where these family names could proudly be displayed and recognized. Lena arranged interviews with the seniors in the valley to tell their stories which she helped record and for the Seniors at the Summit book. She was proud to be an original mining family member and looked forward to the annual miners day parade where she could visit with family and friends.
For many years Lena was an active member of the ladies Auxiliary to the Legion, where she loved catering to different events and local functions. She was proud to be apart of the group of women giving back to their community, and always looked so lovely in her uniform. Mom was a very gifted seamstress and knitter. Everyone would get a homemade sweater, slippers or touque each year for Christmas or on their birthday. There was always someone dropping by with sewing projects, pants to shorten or items to mend. It was a social time for
her as many stayed for coffee and her delicious cookies. There was always a knitting project “on the pins” while she watched her programs in the evening.
Mom loved her music. Loved dancing or playing the drums for Andy’s Golden Tones when they played at the Canmore Legion. Later on Lena had the duty of holding the Highstrung Ukulele group together with a drum she made in a workshop. Lena loved to paint with watercolors and for many years attended various workshops and classes with Donna Jo. Because Lena loved to hike she volunteered with the Friends of Kananaskis, working on different trails around the valley, making it easier for others to get out and enjoy nature and the valley she cherished so much.
Lena had many friends in Canmore and we would like to thank all of them who were so kind to her. A very special thank you to Doctor Barrack and all the wonderful staff at Golden Eagle Long Term Care who are beyond amazing. There was always a sense of family there, where everyone belonged felt welcomed and loved.
Hugs and thank you to Alexine and Catherine who made Moms life easier.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Canmore Hospital or the Canmore Museum.
Family and friends will gather to celebrate Lena’s long and happy life in September, her favorite time of the year and what would have been her
92nd birthday.
