April 1, 1939 - October 21, 2022
Laddi Aleta Pettypiece passed from this world of existence to the next peacefully in her sleep at the Innisfail Health Care Centre on October 21, 2022 at the age of 83 years.
Laddi was known for her infectious smile and her love of gardening, travel, camping, colouring, birds and animals as well as her fondness for children. Born in Vancouver, BC, as Gladys Aleta Hughes in 1939, she moved with her twin sister Murri as teenagers to Whitehorse, Yukon in 1957 where she changed her name to Laddi and worked as a civilian clerk for Canadian Armed Forces for several years. It was there where she met and married her first husband, the late Jack Earle in 1961 and where they adopted two children, William in 1967 and Charlene in 1969. It was there where she was introduced to the Baha’i Faith later enrolling as an adherent in 1972. They moved to Prince George BC in 1973.
Laddi moved to Innisfail in 1980 where she married her current husband, Paul Pettypiece, in December 1982 honeymooning by train to Vancouver and back and where they lived for 16 years. Laddi and Paul moved to Springbrook in 1996 and remained there until her passing. She served on the local Baha’i administrative body in both Prince George and Innisfail. She was a pioneer as a Home Support Aide working the Innisfail and Red Deer areas. Once retired, she worked with her sister as a Campground Host for several summers and loved travelling when the opportunity arose. She also worked as a volunteer for the Innisfail Hospital Auxiliary and Whisker Rescue.
Over the past few years she bravely fought a series of health challenges reducing her ability to enjoy many of her interests but she still loved visiting with her social contacts and continued to greet everyone with her warm infectious smile. She is survived by her partner of 40 years, John Paul Pettypiece of Springbrook, her twin sister Murri Elizabeth Spence of Innisfail, her brother Glen (Georgenna) Hughes of Parksville BC, son William (Lisa) of North Vancouver BC and son-in-law Michael of Montreal. She is also survived by nephews Glyn Evans (Monique) of Blackfalds, Colin Evans of Calgary, Lee, Shane (Elham) and Shawn Hughes of BC, nieces Lynda (Rocky) Boschman and Gina Span of BC, several grand nieces and nephews including Gabriella, Logan, Shanene and Kenzie, sisters-in-law Vicki and Linda, and brothers-in-law Geoff, Larry, Tim and Carl. Children of friends also liked to call her Auntie Laddi.
She is predeceased by her parents Harry and Eugenia Hughes, her brothers Robert and Walter, her daughter Charlene who tragically died in a car accident at the age of 19 in 1988 and her nieces Kim and Dona.
The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Innisfail Health Care Centre for their superb care as well as her home care aides. A service and celebration of life is being held at Heartland Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 25 at 2pm followed by a graveside service at Innisfail Cemetery prior to burial. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Innisfail Hospital Auxiliary, Lending Cupboard or Whisker Rescue. 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
