Residents from across Mountain View County have come together to mourn the recent passing of former county councillor Linda Burrell.
She was a lady who wore many hats and held many positions in the community.
A memorial service for Burrell was held at the Sundre rodeo grounds on May 22.
The grandstands were filled with hundreds of people celebrating the life of a woman who touched the hearts of many.
As presenters shared stories of Burrell's life, the crowd laughed as they remembered the person she was, and cried because she is missed.
Burrell passed away at age 57 in the Sundre Hospital and Care Centre on May 16, after many years of battling cancer, which in the end she couldn't overcome.
She served as Div. 5 Mountain View County councillor from 1992-1998 and again from 2001-2004.
She also served as chair for the county's Municipal Planning Commission from 2004 up until the day she passed.
“Linda's commitment to serving her community extended well beyond her council duties. Her dedication to the many organizations where she was involved demonstrated an ingrained desire to be part of building a better future,” said county reeve Bruce Beattie.
“She never allowed her health issues to stand in the way of that commitment. Our county is lessened with her passing.”
In memory of Burrell, the flags at the county office were lowered to half-mast last week. There was also a moment of silence for Burrell at the county council meeting on May 22.
At the memorial service, Pat James, former Div. 7 county councillor said Burrell made sitting on council “enjoyable”.
Burrell was born in Calgary, but family members say it was in Sundre where she made her mark.
She worked in administration at Sundre High School for many years, where she met longtime friend Myron Thompson.
She also served as Thompson's constituency assistant from 2004-2007 while he was Member of Parliament for Wild Rose.
“I feel like I have not lost a friend, I feel like I have lost a daughter, we were so close,” said Thompson in a speech during the memorial service.
He said Burrell was in part responsible for the development of the new Sundre rodeo grounds, which is why there was no better place to host the service.
“There's not a doubt in my mind, Linda's mark will be here forever,” he said.
The grounds were full of emotion as Thompson spoke fondly of Burrell, bringing tears to many.
“It was an infectious giggle that she had,” he said with a smile.
“She never quit moving forward, I don't know how she did it.”
When Burrell was in the Sundre hospital shortly before she passed, Thompson would visit her often and hold her hand.
He said as she lay in the hospital bed she told him “we are going to see each other again.”
He said one day while he was visiting, she asked him for a prayer team, so he returned to the hospital shortly after with a few other friends of hers, where they all prayed together.
The group also sang Amazing Grace, with Burrell singing the loudest, he said.
To honour this powerful moment, community member Therry Lauzon sang Amazing Grace and played her guitar at the service.
Thompson recited the Lord's Prayer at the service, as he said he would every morning when working at Sundre High School. The crowd joined him in this prayer.
The service began with a performance by horse riders and then “cowgirl friends of Linda” performed as well. Sundre resident Jim Bowhay recited the Cowgirl's Prayer.
Family members of Burrell say she was a successful Simmental rancher and one of the first women in Canada to be trained in bovine artificial insemination.
She also worked as a realtor for a number of years and was a part of the Canadian Team Cattle Penning Association (CTCPA) for more than 20 years.
She was involved with the association as a competitor, board member and also worked as the coordinator of both judging and official training and the Rider Rating Committee.
“Others will come and take her place, but she will never be replaced,” Bill Fraser, director of the CTCPA, said at the service.
Burrell was well known in the rodeo community, as she served as secretary for the Sundre Rodeo and Race Association from 2001-2005 and as president from 2006-2011.
The association is dedicating the 2013 Sundre Pro Rodeo to her memory.
Scott Smith, the current president of the association, said when he took the position he had “big shoes to fill”.
“Linda was a true rodeo fan and she was a master of getting people engaged and involved,” Smith said during a speech at the service.
Lauren Norsworthy, a friend of Burrell's, read a letter at the service that she had written to Burrell while she was in the hospital.
“You stood behind me and so many others and made a lasting mark on numerous lives,” said Norsworthy, in tears, thanking Burrell for the support and love she provided over the years to her and her two young sons.
Guests were provided the opportunity to say a few words.
Burrell's two sons, Derrick and Garret Hislop, said they are grateful for the numerous people helping them through this loss.
Former Miss Rodeo Sundre and Miss Rodeo Canada Arleta Bowhay said with tears that Burrell was one of her biggest supporters.
Family members say Burrell received excellent care from the Sundre health-care community over numerous years of cancer treatment.
Wes Cummings, master of celebration at the service, said Burrell appreciated being cared for in a town that meant so much to her.
Guest guitarist Frank Durocher sang I'll Fly Away, and the crowd joined in.
The service ended with the “riderless horse” ceremony, where niece Hannah Burrell led one of Burrell's favourite horses, Scooter, around the arena.
Linda Burrell had requested that Scooter be given to Shivaun Haynes, a young girl who is fighting cancer.
A standing ovation followed this, along with Shelby Cummings carrying a flag on a horse that read “In Loving Memory”, while Lauzon sang Go Rest High On That Mountain.
A commemorative bench created by Jeff Jensen in memory of Burrell was available at the service for guests to sign.
Burrell had requested that donations be given to Camp Kindle.
"I feel like I have not lost a friend, I feel like I have lost a daughter."Myron Thompson
