Amy (Ampellia) Anderson

Amy Anderson (nee Caron) passed away in Calgary on Sunday, July 22, 2018 at the age of 94 years. Born in Coalhurst, AB, Ampellia Mary Caron was the eldest daughter of Mose Caron and Genovaffi Callegari, who were from Riese, Italy and settled in Coalhurst. Amy had a younger sister by two years, Helen (Helena Antonia) Hiebert. She attended the Lethbridge school division and passed Grade VIII, but like many children of the Depression, she quit school to start working.

As a young woman, Amy travelled to Calgary to find work. She and a friend hitchhiked, sometimes sleeping in ditches. She worked for Smithbuilt Hats during the early years of the war, using felting machines that men usually ran. Eventually, like many of her friends, she joined the Armed Forces as part of the Canadian Women’s Army Corp (CWAC) in 1943. Private Caron earned her typing certificate at the Suffield, AB Experimental Station. She was stationed in Aldershot, UK in 1945 and was discharged, after serving three years, in 1946 when the CWAC demobilised. Private Amy Caron received the Canadian Volunteer Service medal and clasp and the Overseas bar and the General Service Medal.

Upon her return, she married Lester Anderson in 1947 and lived in Edmonton. She had four children: Dennis Lester, Randi Lee, Colleen Gail, and Brent Allen, who was born in Calgary. As a full-time mother, she sewed and was an excellent baker. The house always had at least a cat and a dog, if not other animals as well. Always curious, Amy attended the Calgary Real Estate Board’s exams and was granted her real estate license in 1967. She only sold one house before moving on to other things. Amy took sewing classes as well as first aid and attended Mount Royal College from 1969, graduating with an associate diploma of Social Work on April 17, 1971.

Amy worked at the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) and continued to take courses on suicide prevention, health and safety and addictions counselling through the seventies and eighties, retiring in 1988 from AADAC. Amy was an avid gardener throughout her life and entered her flower arrangements in the Calgary Stampede exhibition, where they often won first and second prizes. Upon her retirement Amy took up many crafts, including courses in Christmas Magic, arranging dried and silk flowers, learning to play saxophone and drums, lapidary and jewellery making, sewing, and painting for which she received awards through the Calgary Stampede.

An active advocate for seniors’ rights, Amy was a member of and volunteered at the Bowness Senior Citizens Club, receiving recognition for her service. She also served on the Seniors Police Advisory Committee and was never afraid to share her opinion or stand up for her rights. More than once she was featured in the paper for various senior’s issues. Amy loved animals and always had cats and dogs throughout her life. This carried into her paintings where she would paint old buildings, landscapes and wolves, which she especially loved. Amy was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and donated to many causes. She is survived by her four children: Dennis (Barb), Randi Ryder, Colleen and Brent (Mary Jane); grandson Kris (Michèle); and great-grandchildren Alex and Ashley.

Celebration of life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion #238 (138 Bowness Center NW) on Friday, August 3, 2018 at 2:00pm. Amy hated black so it is requested that if possible people wear bright colours. A graveside service will be held in the Field of Honour at the Queen’s Park Cemetery. Photos, memories and condolences may be shared with Amy’s family through www.evanjstrong.com.

In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Poppy Fund (The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command, 86 Aird Place, Ottawa, ON, K2L 0A1; 1-613-591-3335; http://www.legion.ca/remembrance/donate-to-the-poppy-fund), Canadian Wildlife Federation (Canadian Wildlife Federation (Ottawa - Head Office), c/o Customer Service, 350 Michael Cowpland Drive, Kanata, Ontario, K2M 2W1; 1-800-563-9453; http://www.cwf-fcf.org/en/), Royal Canadian Legion (The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command, 86 Aird Place, Ottawa, ON, K2L 0A1; 1-613-591-3335; http://www.legion.ca/), Inn from the Cold (Suite 106, 110 — 11 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 0X5; 403-263-8384; https://innfromthecold.org/), the Mustard Seed (102 11 Ave SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 0X5; 403-269-1319; https://theseed.ca/), or any charity that supports animals. Arrangements in care of EVAN J. STRONG FUNERAL SERVICES.  (403) 265-1199

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