Georgina Marie Groshong

It is with watery eyes, trembling hands and broken hearts, that we announce the passing of our dear mother, Georgina Marie Groshong (nee Lambert) on April 9th, 2022, at the age of 86 years young. To her countless relatives and friends throughout her years, she was simply known and loved as Mickey. To her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, she was the center, and best part, of our family. We will miss her more than mere words can say, but our love for her will provide the strength to help us carry on. It was born out of the unconditional love she had for each of us.

She is survived by her husband Dale; sons Allan, David, and Donald (Suzan); daughter Sherry; grandchildren Joey, Alicia, Mark and Ryan; great grandchildren Nikkita (Nana’s Terrible-Two teammate) and Greyson; brother Albert (Donna) and numerous nephews, nieces and extended family, including her favorite canines Jake and Maggie.

She is predeceased by her parents Alphonse and Georgina; brother Robert (Whilemina); first husband Joseph Odnokon; second husband Michael Salway; daughter-in-law Julia (David); and her little furry soulmate Casey.

Mom was born December 29th, 1935 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. The family moved to Duncan, BC in 1937, with long stays in Victoria and Vancouver, before eventually moving back to North Battleford in 1952. It was there that she met and married our father Joe in 1953, and embarked on the future before them. It took them a few years to figure out where to homestead however, as Allan and David were born in Fort Frances, Ontario, and Donald was born in their eventual home of Calgary, Alberta, moving there around 1959. Once settled in, they lovingly welcomed Sherry into the brood, and carried on with the trials and tribulations of raising a young family.

How they managed to maneuver a family of six in a postage stamp sized house by today’s standards is beyond all of us. But, somehow they succeeded in instilling the morals and strength in their growing children that would sustain us, providing the opportunity to thrive. That was largely attributable to mom without a doubt. She was a fierce defender of her children, even if at times they may not have deserved it. As mentioned, her love was unconditional, and she proved that countless times over the years.

Though the stresses of life eventually caused a divorce in 1974, mom was one of our staunchest supporters when our father fought, and lost, his battle with cancer in 1999. She put her personal feelings aside and showed the love and compassion towards her ex-husband that we all appreciated so much, helping us all get through. It was the same with all of our other personal tragedies.

That internal strength served her well as she struggled with the death of her second husband, Michael, in 1987, also from cancer. They married in 1979, and spent, in her words, 8 wonderful years together. We can only hope that we were a source of strength for her, in her times of need as well.

She married Dale in 1989, and shared their adventures of RV’ing and acreage life for a long while. During this time, her compassion, and passions, turned to greatly assisting in the raising of her first grandchild, and enjoying the love of her precious dog Casey.

Even though she always put us before herself, she managed to start a working career as a Unit Clerk at Foothills Hospital in 1967. She eventually ended up as a Pediatrician’s assistant in a private practice, very much enjoying her work until 1995. She loved flower gardening, birds and needlepoint, some of which will grace her children’s walls forever. To her, the 50’s were, and will always be, the greatest decade this world has ever seen. She was a classic rocker, loving Elvis and the Beach Boys.

To this day, she has never admitted the wild streak that our aunts and uncles hinted at. Mom, the glint in your eyes when the subject arose gave you away… be forever at peace.

In accordance with her wishes, there will not be a service. She will rest with her parents along with her beloved Robby and Casey. Along with your thoughts and prayers, donations may be made in her memory and honour to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.