1934 – 2021
Mrs. Rosalie Hulda Dallas (nee Parkins) passed away, after a long life filled with countless happy moments spent with family and friends, on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at the age of 87 years.
Born Rosalie Parkins in Estevan, Saskatchewan, Rosalie was the only daughter of Helma (nee Haaland) and Harry Parkins. She grew up with her two brothers, Raymond and Melford in Innisfail, Alberta. A born athlete, Rosalie was a competitive diver in her youth, and enjoyed lifeguarding at the Lions Outdoor Pool in Innisfail as a teenager. Upon graduating from High School, Rosalie took her Secretarial Diploma at Mount Royal College in Calgary, and had the most beautiful cursive writing you’ve ever seen for the rest of her life.
In 1955, she married Charles “Charlie” Gregor Dallas (they celebrated sixty-six years of marriage on June 25, 2021) and had four children; Calvin (Jacqueline), Bradley (Kathleen), Gail and Shelley (Mike). The Dallas family moved cross country with their small children several times; they made it to Houston, Texas twice in a Ford Falcon and all the way to Nova Scotia by train, with baby Shelley in tow. Returning to Innisfail in 1966, they lived in town until moving to their beautiful farm on the Red Deer River just west of town, on an extremely cold December day in 1977. Rosalie was always busy making meals for the men working on the farm, whether it was calving, planting or harvesting season. They lived in the original farm house there until 2008; when they built their dream home overlooking the tributary and beautiful trees on the road to the river.
Rosalie and Charles spent quite a few winters vacationing in Palm Springs – golfing with friends, along with several winters in Hawaii, enjoying the ocean. Rosalie was passionate about her community, and she worked for the Town of Innisfail as the Home Care Manager for fifteen plus years. She spent time as the President of the Innisfail Dolphins Swim Club and Innisfail Figure Skating Association, always happy to lend a helping hand. Rosalie also volunteered with the Rotary Anns, United Church, and sat on a Provincial Health Board for a number of years, travelling to Edmonton on a monthly basis for meetings. In her free time, Rosalie loved to golf and she was always up to date on the latest fashions. She was never too busy to make time for her kids, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Rosalie will be lovingly remembered by her beloved husband, Charlie; her close sisters-in-law, Beverly and Marie, her four children, eight grandchildren, and three great grandchildren, and her network of friends and family who are too numerous to name.
She was predeceased by her parents, Helma and Harry Parkins, and her brothers, Raymond and Melford. If desired, Memorial Donations in Rosalie’s honor may be made directly to The Innisfail Dolphin Swim Club. Rosalie’s family would like to thank the staff at Innisfail Rosefield Care Centre, and Deanna Bennett for helping out so much during Rosalie’s stay there.
Rosalie ~ wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend to many – will be dearly missed. Details regarding a Celebration of Life for Rosalie will be announced at a later date. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd. 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006 Fax: 403.227.6437
