1925 – 2024
Mrs. Maude Marie Handford, of Innisfail, Alberta passed away at the Innisfail Health Care Centre on August 24, 2024 at the age of 99 years.
Maude was born to pioneers Marion Rodger Wagers and Lester Wagers in Innisfail on May 17, 1925. She was the fifth of nine children and was a big help to her mother on the farm. As a youngster, Maude played ball with the Niobe Posthole Diggers and according to her cousin, she was an excellent ball player. She loved to run.
Before she married, Maude lived with three of her brothers. She cooked and cleaned for them and for a teacher at the Niobe school. She married Geoff Handford in 1948 and they settled on their farm on Antler Hill, to raise a family.
She remained active, becoming an instructor with the Innisfail Ski Club.
Maude spent her entire adult life on Antler Hill, just a mile and a half from where she was born and raised. She babysat her grandchildren and then her great grandchildren while their mothers worked. She was a big part of life for her children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. The family revolved around her. She greatly enjoyed her 99th birthday party, with so many relatives coming to wish her well.
She is survived by her daughter, Marion (Michael) McLetchie, her son Dave (Karen), her grandchildren, Chad and Andrea Auld, her great grandchildren, Sloane and Myah McBride as well as two sisters-in-law, Margaret and May Wagers, a brother-in-law, Marvin Latimer and a number of nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Geoff and her oldest son, Bill, as well as all of her siblings.
A celebration of Maude's Life took place August 29, 2024. If friends so desire, Memorial Donations may be made to the Central Alberta Humane Society 4505 77 Street, Red Deer, Alberta T4P 2J1 or at www.cahumane.com Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006
