1923 - 2020
Our hearts are heavy and our eyes are moist as we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, Audrey (Lyndie) Eva Irving at the tender age of 97.
Audrey was born on September 18, 1923 in Calgary, the youngest of 5. Her parents, Ann and Claude Lynn provided for the growing family through the Turner Valley oil boom and bust, eventually settling on 3 quarters of land east of Rocky Mountain House near Beaver Flats. Audrey loved the farming and ranching lifestyle and rode the hills on her favorite horses, Nebacuneezer and Jigs. Audrey was a gifted athlete and talented student in her early years. Her beloved mother paid for her advanced education (Normal School) by raising chickens and selling eggs. Audrey received the training for her lifelong vocation, a schoolteacher.
Lyndie served in the war effort, travelling to Toronto to work in a ammunitions factory. On her days off she “thumbed it” all over southern Ontario. The war brought heartache to the Lynn family with the loss of Barry Lynn who was shot down over Berlin. The war also introduced Audrey to her lifetime love, Cecil when he returned home from active service in the Europe arena. Before and after marriage, Lyndie taught in several rural schools in the Midnapore district. Her basic teaching theory was; “A child who could read was well placed for a lifetime of success.” Lyndie, Cecil and 2 young boys (Lee and Dan) moved to the Stafne quarter (south of Gouey’s corner) in Bearberry in 1953 before settling for the long run in the Sunberry Valley a few miles east in 1958. Cecil worked in the timber camps west of Sundre and Lyndie was the camp cook. The family expanded with the addition of Jennifer in 1957 and Barry in 1958. Mrs. Irving returned to school in 1964, teaching Grade 1 in Sundre for 22 years. Through several swings in provincial curriculum she maintained her emphasis on reading and no matter the theory of the day (she would close her classroom door and quietly decide herself how to teach) taught phonics as the basis for all intellectual development. For years of running the Sundre school, it was noted for its high caliber students in later grades that was a direct result of the early education they received in what was known as the “Little School”.
After retirement in 1984, Lyndie travelled the world with good friends Francis and Kathleen. She walked 2 miles virtually every day of her life and had the exact length of the halls in the Sundre and Foothills Lodges figured to count the laps required to reach that milestone. She maintained her teaching ways throughout her long and colourful life.
Lyndie was predeceased by all her siblings, a much loved daughter (Jennifer, 1965), husband (Cecil, 1983) and daughter in law (Wendy, 2014).
She is survived by her sons Gordon (Wendy), Dan (Linda), and Barry (Judy); grandchildren Jennifer, Michael, Laura, Dale, Morgan, Michelle, Tom, and Lindsay and 18 great-grandchildren. If you should find yourself hiking up and down the hills west of Sundre and you feel an uncommonly warm and friendly breeze you might listen carefully for a whisper. You might hear a vibrant and proud woman quietly reciting a poem from the past as she checks the fence to keep the cows in. She would have a beautiful blonde girl in tow and will effortlessly swing her onto her back and deftly “tep” on the humps as she traverses the muskeg. Lyndie and Jenny will have to get home early to prepare supper for Cecil and Wendy. Favoured dogs Shorty will bring in the milk cows while Suzie will snuff out the mice and frogs along the way. Dinah will be nearby and Lyndie will call her often. It will be a fleeting breeze but the hills of the Sunberry Valley will be blessed with it often and forever.
The family of Lyndie Irving kindly asks that you forego flowers and in lieu thereof make a donation to the Sundre Municipal Library (to support early childhood reading) or the Sundre Hospital and Care Centre Auxiliary Society. Both are easy internet searches or have well known local offices. In this age of Covid unknowns, there will not be a formal service in the immediate future. A gathering will be planned for the July 1-4, 2021 where we will tell old stories, reminisce, and remind ourselves of the impact Lyndie had on so many of us. This will be Covid dependent but mark your calendar and stay tuned. Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Sundre entrusted with arrangements. 403-638-4373 Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com
