Wanda Janice Milnes (Nee Schaffer)

Wanda Milnes passed away peacefully on Wednesday June 22, 2022 at the age of 66 years, comforted by her loving family. She was born in Regina, Saskatchewan to Walter and Erna Schaffer. She spent her childhood in Regina before moving to the farm by Craik; later she lived with her grandma Hein in Regina, where she met her future husband Kevin Milnes on a trip to the grocery store, eventually moving together to Calgary. She is predeceased by her husband Kevin and her parents. She leaves to mourn, her sons, Owen and Ian; her brothers and sister, August (Yve), Scott (Kathy), Melinda (Alan), and Dale (Kelly); and cats Kiki and Lucifur.

Wanda’s steadfast determination and indomitable spirit saw her through life’s many challenges, including raising her two sons and caring for her husband, living with quadriplegia through the last 32 years of their time together. Together they travelled Canada, Europe, and the States, built their own home, and made new friends wherever they went. Wanda personally took a hand in the many and extensive home renovations from painting walls to mixing her own concrete. Meanwhile, she achieved her certification as a health care worker in 1999 to help take better care of Kevin.

As hard working as she was, Wanda also found time to enjoy the finer things in life-namely a caramel frappuccino while painting her ceramics or, occasionally, crocheting a new pair of slippers in front of the tv. As an avid lover of sci-fi, Wanda could often be found watching Star Trek reruns or catching up with her favourite criminal investigation dramas. In the summer, her magnificent garden took her attention outdoors, starting many of her plants from seed in the ample sunlight of the basement windows.

Wanda will be dearly missed by her family and her friends in the community. A celebration of Wanda’s life and legacy will be held at Pierson’s Forest Lawn Chapel (4121 17 Avenue SE, Calgary) on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 2:00 pm.