Obituary of Gayle Anne Parrott

It is with overwhelming sadness that we announce the passing of Gayle Anne Parrott (née Matheson) on July 4, 2024 at Northern Lights Regional Health Centre in Fort McMurray, Alberta.

Gayle was born on December 19, 1940, in Regina, Saskatchewan.  Except for a few years spent in Shilo, Manitoba, Gayle lived much of her childhood in Regina (North Annex).  As a teen, she was a mother-figure to her sisters Wendy and Pat, and is remembered as being the open and loving care-giver they needed at the time.  In 1959 she moved to Saskatoon to attend the University of Saskatchewan, and graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Chemistry.  She worked for a number of years at the Provincial Water Lab in Regina, before moving on to manage the new water lab at the Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., in Pinawa, Manitoba in 1967.  It was in Pinawa where she met the love of her life, Vic Parrott; they were married on February 10, 1968 at St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral in Regina, SK.  Daughter Kimberley soon followed and later, daughter Erica.

The family moved to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in 1974 and then to Fort McMurray, Alberta in 1982, where Gayle would live for the rest of her life.  As her children grew and exercised the independence she and Vic instilled in them, Gayle was ready for a new challenge and enrolled at Keyano College in 1983.  She was awarded a Business Administration Certificate in 1984 and re-enrolled to earn a Diploma of Computer Business Systems in 1987.  She was immediately hired by Syncrude, Canada Ltd, and was a guru of the mainframe for 8 years until her final retirement in 1995.

A self-proclaimed Chatelaine, Gayle was the cornerstone of her home.  Birthday parties were never dull, costumes were creative and hand-made, guests never left hungry, and summers were spent hiking and travelling, visiting family across the country.  In her retirement, Gayle came to be known for her lovingly hand-crafted gifts, whether a knitted receiving blanket for a new great-niece or great-nephew, or one of her many beaded Christmas decoration creations.

Gayle is survived by her husband Vic of Fort McMurray, AB; daughter Kimberley (Greg) DePaco and grandson Lysander DePaco of New Westminster, BC; daughter Erica (Ted) Meredith of West Kelowna, BC;  sisters Wendy (Edgar) Lee of Gander, NL, and Pat Matheson of Port Coquitlam, BC; nieces Rebecca (Jody) White of Gander, NL, and Jessica (Darren) Lee-Middleman of Mount Pearl, NL, and their families; nephew Timothy Lee of Paradise, NL; and extended family in Ottawa, Cantley, Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary, Harrison Hot Springs, Victoria and Auckland, NZ.  She is predeceased by her father Bruce and mother Joan (née Anderson).

A dutiful daughter, a patient sister, a loving wife, a proud mother.  She is sorely missed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the MS Society of Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society, Médecins Sans Frontières, or a charity of your choice.