Thelma Maud Helen Young
October 12th, 2017
YOUNG, Thelma Maud Helen (nee Hallier)
Thelma Maud Helen Young (nee Hallier) was born in London, England on August 30, 1925. The only child of Leonard and Thelma (Queenie) Hallier. Thelma was raised in the house in which she was born for the first 16 years of her life. In October 1940, the family’s central London home was bombed and destroyed by one of the first high explosive parachute mines dropped during the early stages of the Blitz. Thelma initially attended college in London, but the school was demolished by bombing. She subsequently became interested in the fashion world and became associated with several fashion houses.
At age 18, Thelma was called for war service and worked with London Transport throughout the V-1 and V-2 rocket bombing, where she lost many close friends and work colleagues. While attending a church dance in 1943, Thelma met Marden Homer Young, a Canadian soldier who was stationed in East Grinstead, Sussex. Although Homer was deployed to France on D-Day, the couple remained close through their letters and were eventually married in London on August 18, 1945. Homer and Thelma returned to Winnipeg, where Homer attended the University of Manitoba and Thelma worked as a buyer for a woman’s fashion house. Homer graduated with a degree in Geology & Physics and the couple moved to Calgary where Homer joined a major oil company.
After a short period in rural Alberta, Thelma and Homer settle permanently in Calgary where their son, Philip was born in 1954 and Catherine in 1958.
Thelma was a member of the Petroleum Club, The 400 Club, Women’s Canadian Club, Engineer’s Wives, Geophysicist’s Wives Club, River Side Club and St. David’s United Church where she taught Sunday school for several years and formed the Cubs & Scouts Auxiliary, among other activities. She was also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion (Br #264). Thelma was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She also initiated numerous business ventures, primarily in residential real estate. She was predeceased 12 days by Homer, her husband of 72 years. She leaves to mourn her son, Philip (Wanda); daughter, Catherine (Tim); grandsons, Michael (Janine), Christopher (Angela); granddaughters, Dana (Adam) and Jenna (Daniel); great grandsons, Owen, Jacob and Lucas; great granddaughter, Aria and other family members in Canada and England.
Thank you to the Doctors, Nurses and staff at the Rosedale Hospice for their kindness and care of Thelma during her final months.
A Funeral Service will be held at St. David’s United Church, 3303 Capitol Hill Crescent NW, Calgary, AB on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 1:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Thelma’s memory to: Calgary Humane Society, 4455 – 110 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB, T2C 2T7 (charitable registration# 11882 3632 RR0001).
Messages:
Thelma was a wonderful lady.You can almost tell that from her smile.She and my Mum grew up together and were great friends all their lives.Since my Mum died I have spoken regularly to Thelma.She was amazing.So young at heart .Such a fresh and active mind.She sounded 30 years younger than she was even a few weeks ago. I will always remember Thelma and will really miss her.She was strong in the belief that she would be meeting up soon again with Homer and I hope they do.
My heartfelt condolences to your family. I will always remember Thelma fondly. She was a bright light in this world and that light will be missed.
Dear Philip and Catherine and the whole family, We have such happy memories of our time with Thelma and Homer in Calgary some years ago, and of their visit to us here in Tonbridge. We remember Thelma's tremendous energy and enthusiasm and her business acumen. We also remember her sense of humour and her Christian faith. Margaret can still recall being at Thelma and Homer's wedding . They were a lovely couple and it seems appropriate that they should pass away within a few days of each other. We send our love to you all and will be thinking of you on 26 October.