Friend to all.
Una passed away peacefully surrounded by friends and family listening to one of her favourite songs in her own bed at Sunrise in Victoria. Born in Sunderland, Yorkshire, she emigrated to Canada in the 1950s, received her Masters of Social Work from Wayne State University in Detroit, soon married Trevor and relocated to Fredericton, New Brunswick. Moving to Calgary in 1966, she taught social work at Mt. Royal College, began a program to teach human relations with the City of Calgary Police and always taught Scottish Country Dance, even in Victoria where she moved in 1999.
Predeceased by her sisters, Nancy, Edna and Elsie, as well as her loving husband, Trevor. Una is survived by son, David, his wife Nicole and her granddaughter, Natasha and Molly the dog.
Una was foremost a teacher, friend, lively spirit and adventurer, whose smile, kindness and desire to help people make the most of themselves was always on display.
A Celebration of Life worthy of Una’s well-known fancy for a good party will be held at 2 pm on Tuesday, September 24 in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Zonta Club of Victoria. Una was a long time active member of Zonta, which has a mandate to empower women. All contributions will be used to set up a scholarship in Una’s name. You can bring or mail cheques to David Lennam at 1148 Chapman Street, Victoria, BC V8V 2T6.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Charles Hayter
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Carmen Hildebrand Una was one of my social work instructors in the 80’s and I will always remember her kind an wise lessons about relationships, compassion, and caring for one another.
Thank you, Una!
Love,
Carmen Hildebrand
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Derek Rennie Derek Rennie,
September 9th, 2019Well Una has a companion wherever she is, as my Stella passed on the 25th August. So wherever they are they will probably be comparing Scottish Country Dancing notes from the past. Una was the perfect instructor of dance as she never became upset if a dancer with two left feet was constantly making a mistake even when all her guidance was in vain. Always the ‘Don’t worry’ she would say adding, ‘Rome was not built in a day’. Una did not dance across a floor…. she seemed to float across the floor.
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Raymond Bailey I truly enjoyed the company of Una. I considered her (and still do) to be a very special person and friend. It was without hesitation that she would greet me as a welcomed guest each and every time we met. Her smile made me smile. Her light filled me with joy. Her heart always brought out the best in me. I shall miss her deeply. Rest in peace, dear Una. xo.
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Carrie Young I was 19 when I first met Una and Trevor in Calgary back in 1984 so she’s been family for a very long time. Una was very accomplished and had so many interesting life experiences like shooing a Black Mamba snake out of her house with an apron when she was living in South Africa on a sabbatical year and being billeted during the bombings in London during WWII (she never did like to bathe in more than 2″ of water after the war-years of conservation). She always had so much on the go and tons of friends whom she loved very much. She was a wonderful grandmother to Natasha, always very interested in what she had to say – even when Natasha was very young. I will always remember Una’s smile and her voice. She loved to laugh, socialize and dance – I hope she’s doing that somewhere now.
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Madeleine Lefebvre I was saddened to read of Una’s passing, but happy at the flood of memories it brought back. I was a homesick foreign student in Alberta in the early 1970s who discovered friendship and a sense of belonging through Scottish Country Dance. Our club went to the annual Thanksgiving Weekend workshop at the Banff Springs Hotel. My boyfriend and I hitchhiked to Banff from Edmonton. Una and Trevor were astonished and concerned. All through the weekend Una made sure that we were looked after, introducing us to others. She even arranged a ride back to Edmonton for us. From then on Una took a keen interest in us, and we would see her at various workshops around the circuit. She was a great teacher. Each time we’d meet she’d ask if we had hitchhiked. It became a standing joke as thanks to her we had only done it once.
Una was a kind and gracious person who had an effect on me, and contributed to the success of my first few years in Canada. I send my condolences to her family.
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Elisabeth Ashe Such a lovely sounding woman. I am sure she will be missed by all of you and those lucky to have known her
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Pia Wyatt What an incredible woman. How lucky you are to be her son!
Moms are the best.
Big hugs.
Much love, Pia
Xox
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Jan Ross Your Mom sounds like such a grand lady. And clearly very loved. Sincere condolences to you and yours, Dave.
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Alice Bacon I have many memories of Una at parties thrown by David and Nicole over the years, and at arts events around the city. She was always a great delight to chat with: her intelligence, joy for life, good humour and engaging conversational skills made her one of the best guests in any room. My favourite memory of her is the last time I saw her — at David’s birthday party with a live band playing. Her conversational style had become somewhat erratic, but it didn’t matter: she had a lot to say, and we sat together and had the longest, liveliest chat about who-knows-what. She danced and had a little drink and was so happy. The love that David, Nicole, Una and Molly shared was an inspiration. Our deepest condolences to all. John, Alice & Will
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José Araujo Friend and colleague of her son David, I was at least lucky enough to know Una in her latter years. What a wonderful gal! I will never forget her kindness and that fantastical smile.
I only recently learned of Una’s passing. I was a graduate student of her husband Trevor in Calgary in the late 1970s. I recall her warmth and hospitality to the students visiting their house. She clearly led a long and fulfilling life and I’m sure she will be missed.