It is with great sadness that the family of Carole Higham announce her passing, very peacefully at home, on Friday, December 4, 2020 in Victoria, British Columbia. Carole was the beloved wife of Jamie for more than 50 years, cherished mother of Monique (Kerry) Pettigrew of London, United Kingdom and Melanie (Dave) Stonehouse of Golden, B.C., and adored grandmother of Henry, Peter, Imogen and Georgia.
Also mourning her loss are sister Huguette (Don) Schatz, and brothers Dr. Robert (Jean), Bernard (Pamela), Philippe (Tina) and Dr. Roch (Susan) Lefebvre, together with her brothers and sisters-in-law and her numerous nieces and nephews. Carole was predeceased by her sisters Pauline Morin, Michelle Tussman and Marie Lefebvre.
Carole was born in Lac La Biche, Alberta and raised in Edmonton where she spent most of her life. Following her retirement, she and Jamie moved to Victoria, British Columbia, a city in which she enjoyed living for the past eight years. She was a professional pharmacist and member of the Alberta Pharmaceutical Association for more than 50 years. She began her career in Vancouver before returning to Edmonton to work for the University of Alberta Student Health and later the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, where she held her colleagues-turned-friends in great esteem.
Throughout her career and during her retirement, Carole was an active member of her community and a committed volunteer involved in amateur sport, the Catholic church, the Franco Albertan community, and the Art Gallery of Victoria. She was happiest listening to opera in her kitchen, spending time at the Lefebvre cottage in Jasper, a place she returned to with family and friends every summer for 65 years, and in her garden, tending to her plants and flowers, and watching and feeding the hummingbirds. Carole was known for her marvellous cooking, baking and preserves, which she took great pleasure in producing and sharing with abundance, along with prolific conversation.
Carole will be remembered for her generous and nurturing spirit, her wonderful humour, her unwavering determination and resilience, and in particular for her joie de vivre. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Carole requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders: doctorswithoutborders.ca.
This year we will be celebrating Christmas, Carole’s favourite time of the year, with her held dearly in our thoughts, together with plenty of lights and the music she so adored. A memorial to celebrate her life will be held when we can all gather together again.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Pieta VanDyke
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Leslie Sproule Dear Melanie and Monique,
On behalf of the Edmonton Aurora Synchronized Swimming club alumni families, we would like to provide our love and support to both of you and your Dad for the loss of your Mom and our dear friend Carole. Carole will be remembered in our hearts as a warm, fun, kind, friendly face in and around the pool. She was always willing to help out and made every opportunity a fun one! Sending our love to all of you.
Leslie Sproule and the Aurora friends.
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Dan and Mary Lou Forest Jamie, Monique, Melanie and all the Lefebvre clan
We were so very sorry to hear about Carol. She was always so fun to be with – a great conversationalist, great cook, fabulous baker. She was always so kind to us and treated us like family. She will be missed.
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Ron Fairweather To Jamie, so sorry to hear about your loss. Would love to hear from you when you’re up to it.
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Laura Frost I am so sorry to learn that Carole has passed away. I met Carole through the French Canadian community when I moved to Edmonton at the age of eleven. Little did I know then that she would marry, one week before Ed and me, one of Ed’s childhood friends Jamie. Our families had cottages at Lake Edith in Jasper which allowed us to see each other often over the years. Our children were very close in age and I remember family cross country ski trips, walking in Maligne Canyon in the winter, and a memorable New Years Eve at Pigeon Lake. She was a wonderful cook and hostess and I will miss her advice about where to get the best produce, the nicest antiques, how to make rillettes with kidney fat and many other words to the wise. Rest peacefully Carole. Laura Frosr nee Lemieux
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Jane Orydzuk (nee Maynard). I am so, so sorry you’ve lost your beloved Carole. She called me two weeks ago from Victoria, and we had a long chat, sharing many many memories of our childhood. I am so grateful that we had the chance to reconnect once more. Carole and all of her family will be in my prayers forever. Christmas will be harder than ever for all of you. I will be thinking of you.
Lots of love.
Carol was a dedicated member of the Associates of the Art Gallery. She was always at the table in the lobby prior to our meetings selling raffle tickets. She was also an active volunteer for our house tours.