Obituary For Linda Alice Ann Tames
Today an angel went to heaven. After courageously fighting colon cancer since 2014, Linda passed away at Points West Hospice within 24 hours of moving in. Until then she was at home. She never complained about her illness and always represented a pillar of strength to family and friends. She truly was an angel to everyone who knew her. I know, not only because I lived with her for 50 years, but from the many, many condolences and accolades received over the past days.
Linda (nee Kwiatkowski) was born in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba where she went to school until she got married at that tender age of just under 18 (July 1971) to a guy called Milt who had been transferred to Portage La Prairie. She thought he owned the bank but in fact he was just an employee. The banking industry regularly transferred employees around the country at that time for progression and career opportunities. So upon marriage off we go to a place called Punnichy, Saskatchewan. Our first home as a married couple. Over the next number of years we moved nine times across four provinces, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Alberta on average about every two years. Our final destination was Grande Prairie in 1990.
She passionately loved children and raised her two boys, Jason and Corey and a girl Amber, all arriving from 1977 to 1983. Her primary joy in life was caring for these children as a stay at home mom. In our family’s opinion she was the most caring and fostering mother anyone could have had. During those years she often provided in home childcare to other families as well.
For approximately 15 years she worked for a business called Paquin’s Studios in Grande Prairie for a wonderful couple Lyn and Coral Watson who became lifelong friends whom she loved so much.
Travelling around the world was a passion for Linda and notwithstanding the cancer issues we made it to countries like USA, almost all of Canada, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Cuba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, New Zealand, etc. She had her special happy place in San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico where a breakfast mimosa was always ordered for her and her friends. She absolutely loved it there.
Linda had another passion called decorating for the season. As her birthday was on October 31 Halloween decorations were unbelievable and had the attention of the entire neighbourhood and friends and family. Children would love to come and see what see had done inside and outside the house. She made up as the ugliest and scariest witch ever! Even I backed away a little. This was of course followed by a party of 30 or more friends. After all it was her birthday and she was special. Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving were all the same.
She loved family gatherings on the special occasions and cooking the big family turkey dinners for family and friends as well. It seemed she wasn’t happy unless she had at least 14 or more people attending and that you couldn’t move in the kitchen.
Linda loved her flower beds and gardening. She excelled at making our yard the most beautiful in the neighbourhood with people often stopping to compliment her on the design and beauty. It was always absolutely gorgeous. Endless hours and a couple of beer a day kept it that way.
Linda was the fifth eldest of 11 children born to Betty Sproat. That became 12 when she adopted one more to make it an even dozen. Predeceased is her mother Betty Sproat, her father Lawrence Sproat, sister Irma Pashe, brothers; Ron Kwiatkowski, Mike Kwaitkowski, and Billy Sproat. Surviving siblings are sisters; Joanne Mooney, Debra Gibson, Kelly Human, Karen Walsh, Kim Drake and brothers David Sproat, and Faron Sproat. There are many spouses and over a 100 nieces and nephews who all loved Linda very much.
She is survived by her loving husband Milt of 50 years, sons Jason Tames and Corey Tames and daughter Amber Tames who were all the centre of her life. There are 5 grandchildren, all of huge importance to her, Travis Tames, Oliver and Eli Tames and Kai and Cyan Dugas. She cherished all of them so much. She stated to me more than once that her greatest fear is that because of dying so young and they are so young they would not remember her. They will all have a special place in their heart for her.
At this time because of COVID measures there will not be any type of service. Something may be determined at a later date. She will be cremated at Bear Creek Funeral Home, whom has provided exceptional service. Ultimately Linda’s and her husband’s joint ashes will be buried in a gravesite at Portage La Prairie cemetery where most of her family is buried.
Flowers are not necessary and any donations can be made to the Cancer Society.
Today an angel went to heaven. She will be with us forever.
Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780-830-7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Linda Alice Ann Tames 31/10/1953 07/04/2021..
Death notice for the town of: Grande-Prairie, Province: Alberta