FROM
Inez From (nee Sherwood) of Bentley, Alberta passed away peacefully at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Saturday, August 24, 2019 at the age of 95 years.
Inez Agnes Sherwood was born in Lacombe, Alberta in 1924, the first child of Kathleen Parry and Ivan Sherwood. The family eventually expanded to include four more sisters and two brothers. Inez attended the Galbraith School in Lethbridge until the family moved to the Winfield area, where they found themselves a busy life of farming and tending to a number of pigs, cows, chickens, and a team of horses. All the children had to do daily chores, and as the oldest, Inez was in charge of cooking. This was the beginning of becoming an exceptional cook. In the winter, she also had to melt snow for water to wash clothes. Soon the children would attend Norbuck School, which was one-room for Grades 1 to 9. There were many stories of walking 2 ½ miles (one way), cutting through fields in all types of weather, carrying Roger’s Golden Syrup pails which would contain their lunch of a Roger’s syrup sandwich … and maybe an apple for dessert! Luckily, in the winter months these frozen sandwiches would thaw out by lunch time from the warmth of the barrel fire used to heat the classroom. Inez attended the Winfield School before returning to Lethbridge Collegiate. It was there she realized a future career in education, and travelled to Victoria, B.C. to attend Normal School where she received her teaching certificate. Her first teaching position was at Kraus Creek School in Westbridge, B.C., yet another one-room school house for Grades 1 - 8. Inez was an excellent teacher, and proceeded to encourage her kid sister to pass Grade 8. In 1947 a young man, Oliver From, cut and supplied the school with firewood. After a few square dances and do-si-dos together, they were united in marriage in 1949 and moved to a small farm and began raising purebred registered Hereford cattle. In 1960, Oliver and Inez relocated to Calgary to continue ranching before moving north and settling in Bentley in 1963. It was here that Inez created a full life as a farm wife for the next 50 years. She continued with her outstanding cooking skills; providing the hired hands working in the fields with delicious fresh-baked cinnamon buns, and awesome ginger snap cookies. Her bachelor brother was always given an ice cream bucket of cookies to take home with him whenever he stopped by for a visit. A summer tradition was making Christmas cakes, where everyone had to have a stir and make a wish! Birthday cakes were also a joy for Inez to bake! She also had a beautiful garden with lots of veggies and, of course, those favourite ‘to-die-for’ raspberries! Fruit and venison were canned to last over the long, cold winters. Raising chickens provided fresh eggs, while milking cows provided fresh cream and butter. Every day began with the morning ritual of turning on the radio to listen to the weather forecast … a must-know for all involved in the farming industry. Following that, one must not forget to feed the hungry mouths of the cats and dogs waiting at the back door for their breakfast. Then, of course, the wonderful and colorful display of hollyhock plants had to also get their morning drink as well. They provided much pleasure and brightened Inez’s day! Calving time was especially busy. Inez would be decked out in her rubber boots, hat, scarf, gloves, and at least four layers of ‘clothing’ to venture out to the barn at all times of the day and night to help bring a newborn calf into the world. Later, many hours would be spent bottle-feeding those precious little ones. When not tending to the outside world, Inez would be found inside sewing on her treadle Singer sewing machine, crocheting, or reading numerous letters received from her brother who was working in the oilfields in the Middle East. She also had a love of classical music, and at the age of 60 years, she studied and received her piano certificate from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Inez enjoyed life to the fullest and worked very hard at any task set before her. She spent her last years at the Eckville Manor, and will be fondly remembered as kind, warm-hearted, gracious, and friendly.
Inez will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her siblings: her brother, Don Parry of Cardston, Alberta; and her two sisters, Illaena Rudy of Ladysmith, B.C.; and Irene Shelfontiuk of Castlegar, B.C.; in addition to her nieces and nephews: Suzanne, Shirlene, Michelle, Illa, Sean, and Rick; as well as many other relatives, and several dear friends. Inez was predeceased by her parents, Kathleen and Ivan Sherwood; her husband, Oliver in 2016; one brother, Menz Sherwood; and two sisters, Peggy Sewell, and Betty Sherwood.
A Public Graveside Service in Celebration of Inez’s Life was held at the Bentley Cemetery, Bentley on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with Mrs. Sonja McAlpin presiding. If friends desire, memorial tributes in Inez’s Memory may be made directly to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, #202, 5913 - 50 Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta T4N 4C4 (www.heartandstroke.ca). Condolence messages may be forwarded to the family by visiting: www.ofc-ltd.ca
Just as Inez always extended to everyone her friendly wave and a ‘best wishes’ salutation … we wave back for the very last time. Best wishes, Inez … you will be missed by many.
Burial Arrangements for the Late Inez From (nee Sherwood) entrusted to the care of
