LYDIA “GRACE” BOSCHMAN, beloved wife of Henry Boschman, of Coaldale, passed away peacefully at home, on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at the age of 65 years.

At home, surrounded by family, Lydia “Grace” Boschman went to be with her Lord on January 29, 2022 after a brief illness.

Grace was born on March 27, 1956 in Coaldale, Alberta. At a young age her family moved to Calgary, where her dad studied at the university and pastored the Highland MB Church. When she was 6, her dad became ill and could no longer continue his ministry. They then moved to Vauxhall for a time, and then back to Coaldale. Grace graduated from Kate Andrews High School in 1974, after which she spent some time travelling in Germany with her good friend Esther. Upon returning to Canada, her courtship with Henry became more serious, and on June 28, 1975 they were married. For the next 5 years Grace worked for Canada Manpower until she had children. To be closer to the kids, she then took a part time job at the kindergarten as a Teacher’s Assistant, and always looked back on this as her “fun job”. In 1990 the family moved out to the acreage, where she resided until her passing. She loved life there and never wanted to move again. She enjoyed the rural setting, looking over the fields, watching the animals, the sunsets, and the ever-changing sky. In 1991, with the kids growing up, she kept up her mother’s tradition, and went to work at the Coaldale Hospital. While working there, she went to Lethbridge College and earned her Journeyman Cook Certificate. She enjoyed her work and interacting with the patients and staff, always paying close attention to detail. Her career at the hospital lasted for 30 years until her retirement in the spring of 2021. At work she made many lifelong friends, and the only friend she didn’t have was someone she hadn’t met yet.

Over the years her children were her main focus. She would do anything for them, as well as for all their cousins and friends. Grace inherited the trait from her mother that it was her job to feed the world. This was until twelve years ago when her one and only favourite grandson was born, and life was changed forever. Conner immediately became very special to the whole family and many plans were built around him. She was an incredible people person (sometimes to a fault), and did her best to remember everyone’s name in town, where they worked, who they were related to, all their kids’ names, and even their birthdays. She loved being with people and could chat up anyone.

Grace was very involved with family. She loved all the annual camping trips, motorcycle trips with friends, special events and was always planning ahead for the next one. After her retirement last spring, Grace was determined to continue leading an active life. She hiked and biked for miles every day. She also started playing pickleball, and always tried to be the best she could possibly be.

Starting in the middle of December 2021, Grace began to lose interest in those activities. The last hike she made was around Henderson Lake on December 23^rd, at which time it became clear something was not right. On December 26th she was admitted to the Foothills Neurological Centre, where it was eventually concluded that she had a neurodegenerative disease, for which there is no known cure. She then returned home and was able to share her last days in the company of family and friends, who will be forever grateful for that time spent together.

Grace is survived by Henry (husband of 46 years), her three children, Kristie (Cody), Cory (Chelan), Jordan (Tianna) and their son Conner. Grace is also survived by her mother Martha (John Funk, deceased), sister Phyllis (Charles Pankratz), their children Stephanie (Aman), and Karm, sister Dorothy (George Matthies), and their children Cody (Megan), and Jessica (Conrad). There are also numerous in-laws, uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces, all greatly treasured, but too numerous to name.

She is now rejoicing in heaven with her dad, Abram Regier, who died when she was 11, as well as many other family members and friends that have passed before.

Grace’s faith in God was always rock solid and never wavered, even to the end. She often said, “God knows the end from the beginning, and He makes NO mistakes.”

Thank you for all the love and support.

A private Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, February 5^th, 2022, at 1:00 PM. The Service will be livestreamed and available to view via Grace’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Grace’s memory to the Canadian Food Grains Bank – 393 Portage Ave #400, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 3H6 or https://foodgrainsbank.ca/

 

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2022-01-29
• Location : Coaldale, Alberta