Obituary
It is with gratitude for a life well lived and for a peaceful ending that we announce that Inez, mom, has been released to play and sing amongst the stars. Daughter, sister, nurse, wife, mother, aunt, grandma, great-grandma, neighbourhood vet, volunteer, world traveller, extraordinary gardener, pet owner and animal lover and great, great friend, she was a kind and tender soul with a Viking heart.
Mom is survived by her son Randy (Shannon) Morris, her daughter Leslie Morris, her grandchildren Dustin Morris, Stephanie (Clint) Davisson, Shelagh (Will) Gilmore, her great grandchildren Julia Gilmore, Quinn Gilmore, Zane Davisson, her little sister Nora (Tony) Berkhout, nephew Don (Deb) McArthur, nieces Taya Berkhout (Mike) and Karen Berkhout (Derek) and several nieces and nephews from the Morris side. She will also be greatly missed by Cristina Corpus, mom’s gentle and loving caregiver these past seven years.
Mom was predeceased by her parents O.B. and Marie Larson, her sister and brother-in-law Bertha and Charles McArthur and by her beloved husband Roderick. She also had many cats who crossed the Rainbow Bridge before her.
Mom was born in Eastend, Saskatchewan and grew up roaming the hills and valleys she dearly loved. She graduated from Regina General Hospital nursing school in 1948 with the nickname Shorty and a cadre of friends who continued to hold reunions until the last one, hosted by mom, in 2010. She met her life long love Roderick (Rud) Morris in Eastend but, reluctant to be tied down right away, she took a a nursing position in Bermuda. That only lasted a few months, she missed him terribly, and they married in September 1951. The couple moved to Edmonton so Rud could finish university while mom worked at the Royal Alex. Ultimately they moved to Calgary and started a home and family in the new neighbourhood on Sovereign Crescent. They became well loved fixtures in that community with mom greeting new neighbours with freshly baked bread, hosting coffee parties and bridge games and ministering to the neighbourhood pets. When Rud tragically died in 1983 at age 57, mom picked herself up and created a life for herself. She became a docent at the Calgary Zoo, joined choirs, volunteered for the ’88 Olympics and for other organizations all while tending to her beautiful garden. She travelled extensively, many being Zoo trips including a journey to China to pick up the pandas who visited Calgary during the ’88 games. Flying with pandas as your fellow passengers was a highlight of her many adventures. She made it to every continent except Australia. In 2008 she fulfilled her dream to see the Panama Canal which she and Leslie traversed in a small boat so they could reach out and touch the walls.
Mom was diagnosed with left frontal temporal disease in her mid-80s. As many know, it can be devastating to watch your loved one decline and mentally slip away. The dementia robbed her of her speech, but she never lost her brilliant smile. It radiated from her, stopping people in their tracks and pulling them into appreciating the moment. It was like getting one of her famous hugs.
After several years on her own at home, and then with Cristina as live-in caregiver, mom moved to Extendicare Cedars Villa five years ago. Cristina stayed by her side – no one could break that bond. The staff at Cedars Villa were kind and compassionate even while, at the best of times, over worked and too often under appreciated. All caregivers deserve great respect always, and especially now.
There will be no memorial service. When the pandemic abates we hope to have a coffee party at Leslie’s pond. Mom will be cremated and her ashes buried with dad in Eastend.
If desired, donations can be made in her name to the Calgary Zoo, or any organization that supports the preservation of wildlife habitats or research into causes and cures for dementia.
No flowers please but mom would be delighted if you added something to your garden this year that reminds you of her.
To plant a tree in memory of Inez Marie (Larson) Morris, please visit our tribute store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Inez Marie Larson Morris May 27 1926 April 5 2020 (age 93)..
Death notice for the town of: Calgary, Province: Alberta