Carole Susan Melvill (Née Colton)
Born November 08, 1942, Fernie, BC, passed away Calgary, AB June 25, 2022
Carole is lovingly remembered for her warm heart and her wise and gentle counsel to her family her friends and the many people she helped with her healing touch and kindness.
Born to Grace and Keith Colton, Carole was the youngest sister to brother Donovan and sister Arlene. Her childhood was very unsettled, eventually moving to Calgary to live with her Aunt Mickey and Uncle Earl Halstenson and her cousins Rosemary, Gloria and Joe.
After graduating from St. Mary’s high school in 1960 she enrolled at Holy Cross School of Nursing where she found truly lifelong friends. In September, 1963 she graduated as a Registered Nurse.
After visiting her sister, Arlene in Oyen she ended up applying for and getting a job at the Cereal Hospital. Carole loved working at the Cereal Hospital; so much variety! One day looking after the elderly, one day doing lab and x-ray work another she would be helping deliver a baby and yet another occasion hopping into Tony Klym’s ambulance for a wild ride to Calgary with a patient.
After a whirlwind courtship Carole married Wayne Melvill and they move to the Melvill family farm south of Cereal where they raised three children; Jay, Tannis and Lindsey.
Carole‘s life was not an easy one - working full-time nights didn’t leave much time for many extra activities however; she fine-tuned her sewing, quilting, needlepoint and knitting skills spending many hours with Arlene in her fabric shop. A working farm mom would not be complete without being a taxi driver for the boys’ hockey games and practises and Tannis’ figure skating and dance classes. Many times catching a nap on the hard bench in the change room, head propped on a skating bag.
Carole found great comfort getting back to her Catholic roots in 1989 after Jay’s passing . Her faith helped her through many more losses: including her son, Lindsey (2002), mother, Grace (1995), sister, Arlene (2000), her father-in-law Ray (1994), her dear friend Sarah Deck (1996) , Mother-in-law, Helen (1996) and ex-husband Wayne (2013)
Through all this Carole focussed on her long time love of nursing she always said; listening to and caring for those in long term care kept her going - that, and the love and camaraderie of her coworkers in both Oyen and Hanna. Carole had a compassionate heart for anyone down and out; having the ability to “see” people, those that others might disregard . Giving to numerous charities; she had multiple extended families - sponsoring overseas children for many years. Extended family also included the many dogs that found their way to her over the years, always loved, usually spoiled…abiding companions.
Carole retired in 2015 after 52 years of nursing. She had the opportunity to travel to a few places, she loved to see history “ in person” she would’ve liked to travel more and it certainly was the plan, however; due to a variety of health issues, more travel was not to be.
Carole was diagnosed with cancer in June, 2020 she was always optimistic that all would be well despite the many MRIs, CT scans, chemotherapy and radiation.
After treatment was discontinued in April, 2022 Carole moved to Tannis and her husband Darren’s acreage. Then to Dulcina Hospice where the wonderful staff kept her comfortable until she went to see all those in Heaven whom have been waiting for her.
Carole is survived by her daughter, Tannis Melvill-Oberten (Darren Oberten), sister-in-law Marie Colton, cousin Rosemary Baxter, sister-in-law Joan Anderson, sister and brother-in-law Norma and Al Buettner, sister and brother-in-law Jean and Mark Miller, her glorious September ‘63 nursing classmates; the precious, the exceptional - Denise, Maureen and Joey; fabulous friends Procy Rimando, Stan and Myrna Oberten, Rolly Willick, and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration Carole’s Life will be held at the Carstairs Community Hall (1100 Lackner Way, Carstairs, AB) August 24, 2022 at 1:00 pm. We invite all those who have been influenced or inspired by Carole, please join us!
We will be serving a full sit down meal with her favourite foods, please don’t eat before you arrive, and wear something bright! RSVP to Foster’s Garden Chapel @ 403-297-0888 or Fostersgarden@ dignitymemorial.com. They will pass on the information to Tannis.