It is with very sad and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Marie Pedersen, a loving Wife, Mom, Gramma, Great Gramma and Friend. Marie was born to Frank & Shirley Henderson in Innisfail, AB on February 23, 1951. She passed away peacefully on April 25, 2025, at the Red Deer Hospital-ICU at the age of 74 years, with family by her side.
She was raised and grew up in Innisfail, AB, where she attended elementary and Jr/Sr high school from 1957-1968. Growing up, Marie was involved with Brownies, Girl Guides and did a fair amount of babysitting. While attending high school, Marie worked part time at the Club Café as well as other jobs in Innisfail. In 1966, she met the love of her life, Vernon. Marie graduated from school in June 1968 and in December of the same year, her family moved from town to a farm east of Innisfail. In 1969, Marie attended College in Calgary for nursing and graduated. She married Vernon in 1970, and they moved to Didsbury, AB where she worked for a few years at the Didsbury hospital as an LPN. They then moved to Madden, AB, where they started their family and had 3 children, Cindy, Michelle & Brent. The family moved to and settled in Carstairs, AB in 1981, where Marie resided for 44 years.
Marie was a stay-at-home Mom while raising her children. She supported her kids in many sports and activities over the years such as softball/hardball, figure skating, hockey/ringette, soccer, swimming, gymnastics to name a few. You could always find her at any of these locations and at the ball diamonds cheering on Vernon too. She also attended many school camp outs with her kids. In her spare time, Marie was an avid reader and was often seen with a good book in her hand. She enjoyed doing puzzles, crosswords, playing crib and other card games as well as board games with the family. In the spring & summer she would plant and harvest the garden and take care of her flower beds. Marie had a passion for sewing and would make clothes and costumes for skating & Halloween when her kids were young, as well as the ongoing alterations until her passing.
Once her kids were a bit older, Marie decided to re enter the workforce to pass her time. Throughout the years, she worked in Carstairs at Lily Mae’s Fabrics doing alterations for quite a few years, then decided to open her day home where she looked after many kids over the years, including her 4 oldest grandchildren. Once the grandkids were in school, Marie then worked in the office at the Carstairs Courier, later moving her job to Olds, still working for the paper that is now called The Albertan until she retired in 2016. She was one of the biggest supporters in her grandkid’s events and activities, it was rare she missed anything.
Marie was a big part of the community, volunteering many hours of her time. She was a Brownie & Girl Guide Leader, sat on the minor hockey board for many years (even after her kids were done) , helped coach softball/hardball, worked elections and always gave a helping hand when needed. She was also a member of the Half Century Club.
Marie was predeceased by her loving husband of 54 years, Vernon (in Nov. 2024), parents Frank & Shirley Henderson, Father and mother-in-law Martin & Annie Pedersen, brother and sister-in-law Bob & Shirley Stewart, brothers-in-law Ralph Pedersen & Wayne Baumgardt, great nephews Garrett Moore & Chandler Zawalykut.
She will be lovingly remembered and missed by her daughters Cindy (Jeff) MacPherson and Michelle (Mike) Down & her son Brent (Robyn) Pedersen, all of Carstairs, AB. Her six grandchildren, Alexis Pedersen (Jordan), Jenaka Down (Taylor), Brittney Pedersen (Marcel), Brayden Pedersen, Sophia MacPherson and Milli Donnelly. Two great grandchildren, Emma Down & Althea Sallai. Sister Darlene Baumgardt. Brothers H.Dee (Linda) Henderson & Pat (Marilyn) Henderson, sister-in-law Eleanor Pedersen & brother's-in-law Lyle (Donna) Pedersen & Derald (Irene) Pedersen, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins & friends.
Please join us for a come & go tea in celebration of Marie’s life on Saturday May 24, 2025 from 1-4 pm. At the Carstairs Legion 121-10 Ave. N. Carstairs, AB.
In lieu of flowers, at Marie’s request, donations may be made to S.T.A.R.S. Air Ambulance.
