(October 11, 1940 – December 6, 2024)
Carole Wardlaw passed away peacefully in the presence of her family at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary on December 6th, 2024. Thank you to the staff at FMC who were professional and compassionate.
Carole was born in the town of Simpson, Saskatchewan in 1940 and grew up in the Town of Imperial with her parents Earl and Agnes Shirkey, and brothers Raymond, Ron and Daryl. She was a member of the United Church Young Peoples group in Saskatoon and forged many lasting relationships.
She attended the University of Saskatchewan where she graduated with an English and Teaching degree in 1963. Her true love was in piano performance where her natural musical ability led to becoming an Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music (ARCT) in Toronto. Carole excelled at many musical genres, from classical to improvised jazz to Happy Birthday for her family and friends. Carole could not only play from sheet music but she had the gift of playing by ear “just hum a few notes and she could play the song”. Carole was inspired by her Imperial music teacher and friend, Isabel Lewis, and honed her iconic music career.
Carole met Norman Wardlaw at the University of Saskatchewan and was married in New York in 1964 which was soon followed by a very enjoyable wedding reception in Imperial. Together they had two sons, David and Richard and settled in Calgary in 1972. While raising her family, Carole combined her teaching and musical gifts to become a well loved and dedicated teacher at Montessori School. She conducted annual Christmas concerts and assemblies that were enjoyed by students and parents alike.
Carole loved baking shortbread cookies with her granddaughters Olivia, Ayla, Sophia and Clara. She had a deep love of life and spent many joyful hours birdwatching and exploring the outdoors. She was a devoted member of the Evergreens Outdoor Club, Morning Musicale, and a competitive Scrabble group where she formed lasting friendships.
Carole was predeceased by her brother, Raymond (Maria) and her brother-in-law, Alastair (Jackie). She is survived by her loving husband, Norman Wardlaw, her sons, David (Patti) and Richard (Jennifer) and four wonderful grandchildren, her brothers, Ronald (Elizabeth) and Daryl (Shelagh) and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of life for Carole will be held at Chapel Of The Bells – McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, 2720 Centre St. N, Calgary, on January 25th, 2025 at 2 p.m. In living memory of Carole Wardlaw, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes.
Rest in peace, Carole. Your music will play on forever.
Register for the live stream of the funeral proceedings at the below link: https://my.forever. link/register/mcinnis-holloway/ carole-dawn-wardlaw
