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Ola Natalie Sage of Chemainus, BC passed away suddenly on August 5, 2022 at the age of 84 years.
Ola was born to the late Harry and Sofia Roman on January 24, 1938 in the town of Tuberose, Saskatchewan. Shortly thereafter, the Romans relocated to Kyle, Saskatchewan where Harry ran the town barber shop and pool hall. Ola had very fond memories of her small town upbringing and fostered a love of music from a very young age. She attended weekly piano lessons in Swift Current and practiced daily on a long sheet of paper that had the piano keys drawn out as the family did not own a piano.
Ola graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in late 1950s and moved to Calgary shortly thereafter to start her career in teaching. It was in Calgary that Ola met the love of her life, Gerald Sage.
Ola and Gerry were married on July 3, 1961 in Kyle, Saskatchewan and the couple relocated to Santa Barbara, California where Ola taught school and Gerry finished his education in his chosen career of photography. Ola and Gerry returned to Calgary in 1964 where Ola embarked on a distinguished career in teaching with the Calgary Catholic School Board and Gerry started his independent business in film.
Ola and Gerry settled in Calgary to raise their family and remained there for the duration of their careers outside of a relocation to Coaldale, Alberta for a few years. There are many fond memories of family vacations to the Oregon coast, the Okanagan and camping trips.
During her teaching career, Ola was the recipient of various awards from the school board. She was an accomplished pianist, taking an active role with school choirs and was a founding member of the Fine Arts Centre that was established by the school board.
Aside from family, music was a huge part of Ola’s life. She was active with many choirs during her lifetime and was an instrumental member of the Calgary Catholic School District Teacher’s Choir, the Bragg Creek Ladies Choir and upon relocation to Chemainus, both the Ladies and Men’s Choirs respectively.
In the early 1980s Ola traveled with the Calgary Catholic School District Teacher’s Choir to Israel where they performed in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
In addition, Ola was very involved with the music at her respective parishes over the years and continued to play for mass until the end of her life.
Ola was a very loving mother and “Baba”. She was immensely proud of her family and leaves behind a legacy of beautiful memories. She truly treasured her relationship with her granddaughters and they cherished spending time at Baba’s for sleepovers to watch “chick flicks”, enjoy good food and each other’s company. She was genuinely interested in every detail of their lives and the girls all had especially strong bonds with her.
Ola was pre-deceased by her husband Gerry and is survived by her daughter Natalie (Michael), son Christopher (Jessica) and her lovely granddaughters, Sophie, Claire and Mia. She is also survived by her sister Patti (Craig), her sister-in law Helen Sage and their respective families.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 10th, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church – 9735 Elm Street – Chemainus BC. Following the mass, a celebration of life honouring Ola will be held at the Senior’s Centre – 9824 Willow Street – Chemainus BC.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ola Natalie Sage January 24 1938
August 5 2022..
H. W. Wallace Cremation and Burial Centre
Death notice for the town of: Duncan, Province: Colombie britanique