August 5, 1923 – June 5, 2024
It is with heavy hearts that our dear mother and grandmother, Mildred Annie Henry passed away on June 5th at Sundre, two months shy of her 101st birthday.
Mom was the youngest daughter, of Fred and Edith Niddrie. She was born on the home place and with the exception of a couple years, she lived there all her life. In her childhood, she attended Eagle Valley School and rode her favorite horse, Jill, to school. She helped her folks on the farm and loved horseback riding.
She met her soul mate Ray Henry and her life changed forever. Ray had recently moved to the area from Altario. They were married in May of 1943. They welcomed their daughters Lynne, and Jeanette into the family.
Mom and Dad worked hard side by side and where you saw one you saw the other.
They farmed together, milking cows, shipping cream, ran a predominantly Hereford cow/calf operation and raised chickens and pigs. Mom loved calving season and the little piglets. Even at 95 years she insisted on helping with calves and opening gates at feeding time. She saw many major changes in agriculture.
Something we always cherished was Monday wash day and the baking of fresh bread. As kids, we loved her fresh baked bread after school. She enjoyed her home and yard and was still riding her lawn mower at 99 years, and just detested those dandelions.
Dad bought Mom a ski-doo and she loved the winter rides with her neighbor and friend Rosalie Smith. In her more recent years, Mom’s quiet time consisted of reading, crocheting, knitting, jig sawing, watching hockey, baseball, and playing games on her iPad.
Mom continued to be very active in the farm operation after our Dad’s passing in 1993.
She was proud and honoured that the family were selected for the BMO Farm Family Award in 2023 and to be recognized as a Century Farm Family. These plaques now adorn our gateway.
On her 95th birthday, the Olds United church quilting club presented her with a quilt she used daily for her afternoon nap.
Mom served as secretary for 40 years for the Eagle Valley Cemetery Board, assisted in the preparation of the 100th year anniversary celebrations of the community in 2005, and helped compile two history books. She always liked participating in the pie auction and was quite notorious for her cherry pies. The family and friends of the Eagle Valley Community were always important to her. She loved her “Valley.”
Mom was blessed with good health and was in her own home until the last five days. She loved the visits from her grandchildren and will be dearly missed by family, friends and her Valley community.
Mom is survived by daughters Lynne and Jeanette, four grandsons: Corey (Raelyn), Dale, Kalvin, and Travis (Heather) Warren; eight greatgrandchildren: Hayley, Cameron, Ethan, Logan, Grace, Jackie, Emery and Evan Warren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her folks, husband Ray in 1993, sisters Eleanor, Helen, and son-in-law Raymond Warren and infant grandson Anthony Warren.
Funeral services were held June 10 at the Eagle Hill Community Centre followed by burial at the Eagle Valley Cemetery.
