Obits | DrumhellerMail - Page #13
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Last updateTue, 24 Dec 2024 1pm

Condolences to the family of Frederice (Freda) Jean Thomas Hird

FredaHird

HIRD
Frederice (Freda)
Jean Thomas

August 14, 1940 - July 27, 2024

Freda Hird passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 27, 2024 in Drumheller, Alberta, at the age of 83. She was born on August 14, 1940, in Victoria, B.C. to Fred and Ethel Thomas. In the later part of her childhood she was raised by Fred Thomas and Clara Butler. Freda attended school in Victoria and graduated in 1957. That same year she joined the Canadian Armed Forces where she served three years as a medical assistant. During that time she met the love of her life, Dan Hird, who she married on July 9, 1960.
Freda and Dan travelled the world during Dan’s time in the service, living at bases in Edmonton, Trenton Ontario, Lahr Germany, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, and Greenwood Nova Scotia. When Dan retired from the service in 1977, they settled in Drumheller. Freda got a job at the Bank of Montreal, where she worked for 23 years until she retired.
For several years, Freda and Dan were snow birds, escaping winter in Arizona. They never lost their love of travel, and had many great trips including an Alaskan cruise, trips to China, Egypt, and Disney World, to name a few.
Freda loved to play cards with her friends, and you never did see Freda anywhere without her best friend, partner and husband, Dan.
Freda is survived by her husband Dan Hird, and four children: Danny (Shelley) Hird, David (Suzanne) Hird, Denise (Micheal) Vierheller, and Ellen (Bryne) Christensen, and their 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to express their thanks to Dr. Olfert for his years of care, and to all the wonderful and compassionate staff from all departments, who worked in Continuing Care.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the hall of the Knox United Church, on Saturday, August 24 at 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A dedication to Freda will begin at noon with a luncheon to follow.


Condolences to the family of Hadyn Jude Macfadden

HadynMacfadden

MACFADDEN
Hadyn Jude

October 25, 2003 - July 28, 2024

With heavy hearts and deep sadness we announce the sudden passing of Hadyn Macfadden, beloved son, brother, boyfriend and friend at the age 20.
Hadyn was a bright light in all our lives and will be deeply missed. He was born in Thompson, Manitoba and moved to Drumheller at the age of 18 months where he was raised, and graduated from high school in 2021. He met the love of his life and best friend, Erika, in 2019 and together in 2021 moved to Lethbridge to start a life.
Hadyn was entering his fourth year of social work this fall and was an honour student committed to working in parole to assist people with finding their second chance.
Growing up, Hadyn loved spending time with his family and friends whether playing board and video games, going golfing, disc golf, skiing, travelling, cooking, watching anime, roller blading, biking and always finding a way to make us laugh. Hadyn was a consummate cat lover and spend numerous hours volunteering at the local animal shelter. His cats Mitchie, Meatball and Spaghetti filled his life with happiness.
Hadyn was very thoughtful and knew how to make the people he loved feel special. He had a strong bond with his older brother Ewan, found their friendship as adults and was to be his best man in the future. He also became close with his brother’s partner Kass and he was like her little brother. Hadyn had amazing friends and those closest were Mack, Nolan, James Z and James T.
Hadyn was a treasured son and brought his parents Lachie and Sandy such joy. His close family who mourn his loss include his grandparents Lachie SR, Willene, Colleen and Colin, his Aunt Wendy and Uncle Ted, Aunt Tammy and cousins AJ and Laura, Uncle Reilly and Aunt Stephanie and their son Henley, Uncle Austin and Aunt Meagan and their children Dante and Emry.
Our hearts are broken with this loss as there was so much more life and memories ahead but as a family we treasure the time we had together.
A celebration of life will be occurring on Wednesday, August 7th, 2024 at 2 p.m. at the BCF. Please wear bright colorful clothing, bring sunflowers and your memories to share.
In lieu of flowers please send a donation to the Drumheller Humane Society in his honour.

Condolences to the family of Terry Elam (Ole or Rocky) Martin

TerryMartin

MARTIN
Terry Elam
“Ole” or “Rocky”

July 25, 1955 – July 21, 2024

Terry passed away peacefully and comfortably at the Drumheller Health Centre the evening of July 21, 2024 due to complications from diabetes, heart and recent surgery.
He was the second child of Elam “Ollie” and Alice Martin of Morrin. Terry grew up on a farm in the Sunbeam community east of Morrin where he gained two lifelong friends, Bob Grenville, and Brian Montgomery. It was a great life growing up in the 50’s and 60’s without computers and cell phones. Terry took all his elementary and secondary schooling in Morrin concentrating more on all the sporting activities than academic. He played baseball, volleyball, basketball, badminton, curling, hockey, fastball and his first love – golf. If you golfed at the Dinosaur Trail Golf Course, you probably met him there, either on the course or Hole 19.
After high school he worked at many jobs, for farmers, in the oilfield, Starland County, Calgary and the Morrin Arena. In 1975 he decided to start farming with his parents and then off to Olds College where he enrolled in the Agricultural Equipment Technology Program. This is where he gained another group of lifelong friends. They called themselves the “Bearcats” and included people from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and many parts of Alberta. They have maintained this friendship for almost 50 years. They were a fun-loving group who enjoyed the pranks and social aspects of college.
Terry continued to farm until 2010 and worked in the oil patch from 1986 until 2005. He then worked for a brief time at Walmart when it first opened stocking shelves at night. His last job was working for the Canadian Corporation of Commissionaires at the Drumheller Penitentiary.
Over the years Terry was able to spend time travelling to Scotland, Dominican Republic, Hawaii, Hilton Head, Maritimes, Toronto, Caribbean and many golf courses through Canada and the USA.
Terry started spending his winters in Phoenix, Arizona in 2006. In 2011 he and his mother bought a condo and spent their winters in Mesa where of course he spent time doing the thing he loved most – golf. In 2023 he had to come home for health issues and unfortunately had not been able to return.
Terry is survived by his sister, Diana Wolf of Morrin, cousins and many friends throughout Canada and the USA. He was pre-deceased by his father “Ole” in 1982, mother Alice in 2018 and brother-in-law Rick in 2022.
There will be no formal funeral service or celebration of life for Terry. He would wish that you all enjoy a great game of golf with storytelling and a beer or cocktail at Hole 19.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Drumheller Area Health Foundation or any charity of your choosing.
Courtney-Winters Funeral Home in care of arrangements. 403-823-2666.