Obituary of Luella deBeaudrap
Margaret “Luella” de Beaudrap (nee McCarty) was born February 11, 1931 to parents Frank and Margaurette at Vegreville, Alberta, and passed away peacefully February 17, 2021 at the Vegreville Hospital at the age of 90 years. Luella was predeceased by husband Joe in 2015 and infant son James and leaves to mourn her six children: Francis (Lynn), Denise (Ed) Ogrodnick, Rob (Lori), Bernie (Lynnette), Patty (Ben) Schmidt, and Kathy (Jay) Falkenstine. 17 grandchildren knew her fondly as Grandma Luella and she had 18 great grandchildren, with 1 on the way. She loved them all and was still a master at snuggling & comforting the brand new babies that joined the family.
Luella is also survived by sister in law Flossie McCarty, de Beaudrap in-laws Jack and Eileen, Edith Izyk and Marguerite Koester, and numerous nieces and nephews, many of whom called her their favourite. She was predeceased by all of her siblings; Eileen, infants Marianne and Elizabeth, John, Josephine, Art, Harold and Walter. The McCarty and de Beaudrap families are both lively bunches and we can only imagine the shenanigans and celebrations that are taking place in heaven this week. We are a little envious of not being witness to all those angel reunions!
Luella obtained her nursing diploma at the Vegreville Hospital School for Nurses. She relocated to Trochu after graduation to work, and in 1953 married Joe, the brother of nursing classmate Edith. She was employed at St. Mary’s Hospital in Trochu and then the Three Hills Hospital for many years as a staff nurse. In 1975 she assumed the Director of Nursing position in Three Hills and served in that capacity until her retirement in 1991.
Luella was a strong woman of faith and was always very involved with her large extended family, farm life, community groups, “her” hospital in Three Hills, her kids and grandkids activities, and she had many lifelong friends in the communities of Ghost Pine, Trochu and Three Hills. She was fortunate to have travelled extensively with family and friends, with time spent in Ireland being extra special, as she was so proud of her Irish heritage! After retirement, she and Dad enjoyed winters in Mesa, Arizona and summers doing Farmers Markets together.
Life on the farm required a lot of organization and personal strength, and her nursing skills were often put to use “after hours”. Her kids recall her neatly stitching an injured horse, doctoring all sorts of farm injury incidents, helping neighbors with ailments and even delivering a nephew in the car on the way to the hospital. Luella was a compassionate caring nurse and very fond of her staff members, many of whom became family friends. She was always keen for advancements for the hospital and encouraged her nursing staff to excel. Mom devoted her life to caring for others, including our Dad after their devastating MVA in 2003 and she continued to work hard on her own recovery.
It was important to Luella that her children were educated, independent and self-sufficient. This legacy has been passed down to her grandchildren and she always enjoyed hearing about their lives, sports and plans for after graduation. She was an avid baker and the smell of fresh bread and cinnamon buns today simply means “Mom” or “Grandma Luella” to all who called her that! There was always a tin of cookies in her corner cupboard and only very seldom was it filled with “bought” cookies. She enjoyed knitting and sewing, turning out many beautiful projects. She was well known for her love of Bingo and inviting a carload of friends along.
In spite of advancing dementia, Mom was able to stay in her own home with the support of family and her caregiver Dream until January 2020 and then moved to Supportive Living in Vegreville. Luella continued to maintain a cheerful outgoing attitude and her strong will prevailed even in her later years. Luella’s work here is now done and she has travelled onward into the open arms of her many loved ones. Rest easy Mom, we will carry on.
Father Nilo Macapinlac will officiate at a private family graveside service and interment on February 25, 2021 at St Theresa’s Catholic Cemetery at Lumni. Attendance is limited due to current guidelines for gatherings due to COVID-19.
In lieu of floral tributes, memorial donations can be made in Luella’s name to Three Hills Health Center 1504 2 St N Three AB T0M 2A0, or to the Trochu and District Community Center Box 812 Trochu AB T0M 2C0, or a charity of one’s choice.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Luella
deBeaudrap 1931 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Trochu, Province: Alberta