September 23, 1942 – May 16, 2020
Denise Marie Ingles of Rimbey, Alberta passed away peacefully, with her kids by her side, at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at the age of 77 years.
Denise Marie was born in Lethbridge on September 23, 1942 to Bill and Frances Collin, and resided in Warner, Alberta until she married Roy Smith in 1960. They lived in a few towns before settling in Calgary. The marriage produced four children who were the love of Denise’s life: Marty, Nancy, Jim, and Marlene. In the late 60s, Denise took on a new role of parenting, changing their lives forever. With the support of her brothers, sisters, and close friends, she chose to raise her kids on her own. She sewed most of her kid’s clothes, and always made sure they were warm and in style. Music was handed down from her mom, which Denise loved. Learning to play the guitar and having a strong will, she formed a band and played music to help support her new life. Her kids soon learned that playing music and singing, whether it was at band practice or sitting in the living room with the guitar learning another song, was Denise’s other passion. Denise eventually remarried and moved to the Rimbey area again. For many years she enjoyed life, hosting family and friends in her house at Birch Bay. With her kids all married and grandchildren on the way, she enjoyed life, but something was missing. After many years, her love for music and the western life-style once again changed her direction. Denise moved to Buck Lake where she worked alongside her daughter, Nancy and family on the Buck Lake Community Pasture. This was her true delight in life. She loved family, horses, camping, and the great outdoors. She also spent many years out at the Hummingbird area, helping with horses and trail rides. She loved it there. In the summer, she rode horses, played music, and enjoyed her now-growing family of grandchildren. She stayed on there, hand-feeding grain to 100+ bulls every day, all winter. When her sister-in-law, Sharon passed away in 2005, Denise then moved to Olds and moved in with her brother, Bud. She lived with him for thirteen wonderful years. They made an awesome team. For several years they spent their winters at their place in Mesa, Arizona. When they came back to Canada in the spring, they spent time traveling around and visiting their family and friends. In 2019, with some health concerns, they realized they could no longer spend their winters in Arizona. In September, Denise decided to move back to Rimbey into the Valley View Manor. Once again she was back playing music at every opportunity. She loved seeing her new and old friends enjoying music and making requests for songs. Denise enjoyed life. She loved colors, from colored jeans and boots to her red lawn swing on her deck. She loved sewing western shirts with her logo, ‘Barbwire Bush’; and she loved rodeos, bonfires, and country music. She was singing or humming all the time. She loved spending time with family, playing cards and games. She enjoyed her brothers and sisters. They were a close family. They got together many times throughout the years; spending time together in Arizona, at Wilbur’s cabin, and their annual family Christmas dinners. Denise will be lovingly missed, and will definitely leave a void in many people’s hearts. We love you, mom!
Denise will always be remembered and sadly missed by her loving family: her children, Marty (Cindy) Smith of Chilliwack, B.C.; Nancy (Brian) Miles of High Prairie; Jim (Cheryl) Smith of High River; and Marlene (Darcy) Chalmers of Sherwood Park; as well as nine grandchildren, and seventeen great grandchildren. She will also be lovingly remembered by her siblings: three brothers, Wilbur (Edith) Collin of Beaumont; Bud Collin of Athabasca; and Terry Collin of Calgary; and two sisters, Collette (Art) McMullen of Calgary; and Catherine Stroman of Kelowna, B.C.; in addition to numerous nieces and nephews, other family members, and many, many friends. Denise was predeceased by her parents, and her oldest brother, Delbert.
Small, private Family Gatherings have taken place. A public Memorial Service in Celebration of Denise’s Life will be held at a later date. Denise will be laid to rest in the Warner Cemetery, Warner, Alberta. If friends desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Red Lodge Guest Ranch, 34502 Range Road 22, Red Deer County, Alberta T0M 0K0 (www.redlodgeoutfitters.com); or to the Friends of the Eastern Slopes, Box 6093, Innisfail, Alberta T4G 1S7 (www.foesa.org). Condolence messages may be forwarded to the family by visiting: www.ofc-ltd.ca
Cremation Arrangements for the Late Denise Marie Ingles entrusted to the care of Oberhammer Funeral Chapels.
