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Alismay Gwendolyn Thompson Obituary
Alismay Thompson (née Cracknell)
October 22, 1934 – February 23, 2025
Alismay, as she was known to all, passed away peacefully of natural causes on February 23, 2025. She was born on October 22, 1934, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Jean (Graham) and Wilfred Cracknell. Throughout her early years, she lived in Winnipeg, Calgary, and Edmonton before earning her Registered Nurse (RN) designation from the University of Alberta in 1957—just days before marrying the love of her life, John Thompson, on August 17th.
Alismay is lovingly remembered by her four children: Leslie (Lyle) Rathwell, Joanne (Dwayne) Little, Wendy (Phil) Jaspar, and William (Keitha) Thompson. She was a devoted grandmother to twelve grandchildren: Benjamin (Yuri) Rathwell, Megan (Devin) Cochran, Nicole (Chris) Stout, Laura (Andy) Kuzyk, Scott Little, Sarah Little, Sean (Katie) Temple, Dylan Temple, Colin (Emily) Thompson, Kyle Thompson, Justin (Lauren) Thompson, and Julia Thompson. She was also blessed with nine great-grandchildren: Jase Kuzyk, Olivia Kuzyk, Allison Stout, Madelynn Stout, Tommy Stout, Brooks Cochran, Henry Cochran, Eloise Cochran, and Naomi Rathwell. Additionally, she is survived by her nieces Margot Gyorgy and Charlene Newman, nephews Stephen and Phillip Gyorgy, as well as her sister-in-law Imogene (John) Gyorgy.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, John, nearly 30 years ago, as well as her brothers, Clive and Arthur Cracknell, and her sisters-in-law, Mary Cracknell and Audrey Thompson.
Alismay led a life full of adventure, resilience, and love. After her marriage to John, they settled in Calgary until 1961, when they moved to Denver for six months before returning to Calgary. In 1969, their journey took them to Benghazi, Libya, during the overthrow of the king. It was a turbulent time marked by a revolution, a flooded house evacuation, relentless Saharan sandstorms, and limited food supplies—but through it all, Alismay met every challenge with unwavering strength.
Upon returning to Canada, the family moved to Sandstone Valley near Okotoks, where Alismay embraced the challenges of country life with enthusiasm. She worked tirelessly to help John renovate their 50-year-old home, shoveled a ton of coal weekly for winter heating before natural gas was available, and surprised John by purchasing six cows to start their cattle operation. What began as a small herd grew to over 75 head of cattle, along with chickens, turkeys, pigs, horses, and eventually 5,000 laying hens. Alismay was known as the Egg Lady by many in the Okotoks area. She maintained a vast garden, all while shuttling her children to their many activities.
As the youngest sibling to two older brothers, Alismay learned early on to embrace life to the fullest. She became the fearless “token adult” accompanying her grandchildren on roller coasters and thrill rides, and at 65, she went hang gliding for the first time in New Zealand, much to the amazement of the hotel concierge who arranged the adventure.
In her later years, she lived in Calgary and Okotoks in a variety of care homes, where she was cherished by staff for her kindness, humor, and positive spirit. Her room was filled with photographs of her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she adored and spent hours admiring.
Alismay taught her children and grandchildren invaluable lessons—above all, to hug often and never miss an opportunity to say, “I love you.” She instilled in them the values of responsibility, adventure, humor, persistence, and resilience. Her faith in God carried her through the many hardships she encountered in life and it served to help her children in their lives as well.
She will be deeply missed, but her family finds comfort knowing she is finally at rest, watching over the incredible legacy she built.
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October 22 1934
February 25 2025
Death notice for the town of: Okotoks, Province: Alberta
death notice Alismay Gwendolyn Thompson October 22 1934
February 25 2025
obituaries notice Alismay Gwendolyn Thompson October 22 1934
February 25 2025
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Alismay Gwendolyn Thompson October 22 1934
February 25 2025 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
