It is with sad and heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother on January 1, 2017. Ora was born February 28, 1917 in Amaranth, Manitoba the fifth child of William and Violet Henderson. Ora had nine siblings – five sisters and four brothers.
Ora married Del Lang on November 23, 1936 and lived in the Plumas, Manitoba area till 1951, at which time they moved to Leduc, Alberta. In 1953 they moved to Athabasca. Ora worked as a telephone operator with AGT in Athabasca for a time and then a salesperson at Leed’s Ladies Wear for over 20 years. Ora was a terrific salesperson as she loved talking and socializing with everyone. After she retired from Leed’s she sold Tupperware and became the Tupperware Lady. After several years selling Tupperware she became the “Avon Calling” Lady and thoroughly enjoyed selling Avon. She excelled in sales and made a career of it. Ora was a Legion member and active in the Royal Canadian Legion Women’s Auxiliary. She received a Lifetime Membership pin from the Legion and in 2016 received her 60-year pin. Ora was also a member of the Order of the Royal Purple. Always community minded she delivered Meals on Wheels for several years and ever mindful of causes dear to her heart, she canvassed tirelessly for the Cancer Foundation.
As busy as she kept herself with her sales career, volunteering for various activities and causes and being a member of various clubs, she and Del had a cottage at Baptiste Lake since the early 1950’s which was loved by the whole family. Beautiful memories were created there and Ora loved the cottage and lake dearly. She loved Athabasca and the many friends she made here. If anyone was wondering what her secret to longevity was, her heart was strong and healthy from the exercise she got from walking up and down the hills in town as she sometimes did the walk twice a day. She also enjoyed a good game of crib, listening to music, or dancing the night away.
Ora lived in Century Villas until she moved to the old Pleasant Valley Lodge in 2006 and then to the new Pleasant Valley in 2008. On June 1, 2012, she moved to Extendicare in Athabasca where she resided until her passing. Thank you to all the staff at Extendicare for their loving tender care of Ora. Thank you also to the staff at Pleasant Valley Lodge and a special thank you to Dr. Leon Burger.
Ora was predeceased by her loving husband of 43 years Del in 1977, baby son Dale in 1942, little daughter Marlene in 1950, son Ken in 2004, grandson Jamie in 2008, her parents, four sisters Marion, Isabel, Rena, and Rita; three brothers Allan, Edgar and Harold.
Ora is survived by her one son Mel, daughter-in-law Sherry, grandson Jason and wife Jodie, granddaughter Jodie and husband Mick, five great grandchildren Kyle, Corey, Sarah, Shellaine, and Quaid, one sister Lorna, one brother Elmer, numerous nieces, and nephews.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Ora’s life will be held on February 28, 2017 at the Athabasca Legion - Basement between 2:00pm & 4:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.