Arlene Marjorie Folster

It is with profound sadness, but a little relief knowing her suffering is over, that we say goodbye to the best mom. We would like to think she walked right into the arms of her beloved Roger who has been waiting to be reunited with her for over 6 years.

A pillar of patience with the three of us, Mom always modelled kindness, compassion & empathy. The truth is, even as she suffered through the many indignities of Alzheimer’s, she continued to teach us. We are all better people than we were before. And we are better friends to each other than we might have been.

Mom was one of five sisters whom her folks Ivo and Ruth Bergman ushered into life in Medicine Hat, AB. When she turned 18 she joined the RCAF and trained to be a meteorologist. There she also met the dashing Roger Folster and they married and started a family in quick succession: Cathryn (Tony Mnoholitny) then David (Charmaine Folster) and then Cynthia (Kevin Feth). Living in Germany and camping all through Europe were definitely the high points of all our postings. Mom and Dad’s military family at each posting made for great lifelong friends: the Gillards, Grants, Mills and Andersons were always present in their lives.

Working and becoming a manager at Woodward’s would end up being mom’s second life when we were posted to Edmonton. She loved her work there and she was excellent at it. She was so happy to live in sunny Alberta again. Mom was well known for her meticulous sewing, her delicious bread making, canning the fruit and vegetables from her garden, painting landscapes and singing her heart out around a camp fire. Mom & Dad’s happy retirement found them spending half the year in the warmth of Arizona in the company of many friends and family.

Her sisters Yvonne (Ron) Hole, Marian (Andy) Graspointner & Lorel (Duncan) Strachan also have heavy hearts as they say good bye. Mom’s youngest sister Leslie was taken by cancer too soon. Mom was also much loved by dad’s side of the family and we know  the Owen and Folster clans mourn with us. Her six grandchildren will forever have fond memories of her from their childhoods.

It was a cruel thing that such a good, kind person had to endure the ravages of Alzheimer’s. It’s a credit to the exceptional care at Capitalcare Strathcona, Harvest House, that she lived as long as she did. We are forever grateful for the gentle people who cared for mom. We were met with kindness and compassion every step of the way and we know they mourn for mom as well. If you feel moved to do so, you can make a donation to a local Alzheimer’s charity or a designated memory care program.

Mom was not one to be the centre of attention, so we will send her off quietly as she would have liked. To honour her memory you might want to plant some flowers in the spring with her in mind, and because she loved bread, wine and pasta, enjoy some of that too.

Rest in Peace Mom, we are so grateful for you.