ROBERTSON, Della Marlene
1953-2021
Della passed away peacefully on November 21, 2021, after a nearly 17-month battle with brain cancer. She was 68 years old. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Patrick, three daughters, Heather, Robyn and Holly, sons-in-law Mark Sin and Matthew Williams, granddaughters Grace Della and Wren Mary Rose as well as her devoted cocker spaniel, Opie. She will be missed by her brothers and their spouses: Wayne (Penny), Gary, Warren (Cheryl), Lloyd, Clyde (Angela), Dale (Lorraine) and her sister-in-law Maureen Robertson. She will be fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews: Sarah Olsen, Daniel and Katherine Kelly, Jill Van Kessel, David, Brent, Glenn, Shawn and Bruce Robertson.
Della was born on August 4, 1953 in Calgary, to parents Rose Mary Selinger and John Patrick Kelly. She grew up as middle child and only girl with six brothers. She lost her mother at the age of 10 and her father at the age of 18. She felt tremendous support, through these challenging years from neighbors and friends. After the passing of her parents, she was very close with her uncle Aloysius and Aunt Mary Maureen, and her cousins, Doug, Murray, Donald, Kevin, Susan, and Jane, whom she considered adopted siblings.
She attended school in Calgary, and was bright and motivated. Della completing her Nursing Degree in 1974 at Holy Cross and spent 4 years working as a nurse in Northern Saskatchewan where she married her husband. Work ethic and education were important to her. While working full time as a nurse and running her own business she raised three daughters and completed her Masters of Nursing. She enjoyed teaching most. Della finished her career as manager of Cochrane Home Care Services. In her retirement she was passionate about community advocacy focusing on Seniors in Alberta and rural hospice. Della sat on the Provincial Senior’s Advisory Committee and she received the Minister’s Seniors Service Award in 2018.
Della enjoyed: early morning coffee and the news, gardening and pink peonies, reading historical fiction, Christmas time, and longform jokes. Della’s punchlines were often interrupted by her own laughter.
On Della’s behalf, the Robertson family would like to extend sincere thanks to the tremendous support provided during her illness. Of particular note: the entire staff at Dulcina Hospice, the team at Cochrane Home Care and Rocky View Private Home Health, Dr. Julie Torrie, Cochrane Urgent Care, the team at the Tom Baker Cancer Center and the Neurosurgical Ward at Foothills Hospital. She received such comfort from her closest friends who visited, fed and supported her and her family during this challenging time.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you consider making a donation to the Cochrane Hospice Society, in her name. www.cochranehospicesociety.ca
Given the COVID pandemic, there will be prayers for immediate family and friends at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. A Graveside Memorial will be held at the Cochrane Cemetery on November 26th at 1:30pm for those who wish to attend. A celebration of life will be planned for June 2022.
Arrangements entrusted to Florence (Flo) Simpson, Funeral Director
Cochrane Country Funeral Home – cochrane@piersons.ca – 403-932-1039
So sorry for you’re loss. Hugs to all the family.she was such a wonderful woman and she will be missed. She was my adopted big sisterand my heart breaks for all of you.
Lots of Love
Don Raeanne and family
So sorry for your loss. I will always have fond memories of Della. You are all in my thoughts & prayers during this difficult time. Hugs to all.
Thinking of all of you at such a difficult time.
So sorry for your loss
Cynthia and family
Sending you all our love and condolences. What a beautiful person Auntie Della was. Funny, caring, smart, loyal, and a great Aunt. We will remember her fondly have the utmost of respect and admiration for the way she lived her life and cared for her family. All our love, Brent, Courtney and the boys.
Dear Pat, Heather, Robyn, and Holly,
Very sorry to get the news of Della’s passing recently. She was always so upbeat, and went out of her way to make others feel special in her own special way. I still recall how touch I was when she mailed me copies of some newspaper articles that were published in Cochrane about my daughter that she knew I probably wouldn’t have known about. She thought of others first…. always. Now is our time to think of her, and fondly we shall. She loved you all very much.
Della was an inspiration to me as she was so dedicated to palliative care. She is the very reason there is a hospice society in Cochrane. We talked about her dedication often and want you to know we will be lighting a light for her on Dec 5 on the Remembrance Day tree at the Cochrane ranch. My heart goes out to all the family! I cannot imagine your grief at this time. You have been a strength to her, and I admire the dedication. Know that she is at peace now and rest comfortably. Love to you all. From the Copithorne Family
The Thorvaldson family’s prayers are with the Robertson/Kelly families as you grieve Della’s passing. Surely a life well lived ❤️
Della will be missed every time I prepare my garden and go on walks, where I would often connect with her and Odie. For 29 years we have had the blessing of each other’s friendship as we raised our families on our beautiful street. She was a giver ,caretaker and gardener extreme, loved by many, especially the flowers. We will remember her fondly.
We are both shocked and saddened at the news of Della’s passing. We immediately thought back to Della and Pat as our wonderful and full of fun across the street neighbours in Regina all those years ago, when most of life was ahead of us. We had kids at the same time and then even spent lots of time time together after we all moved to Saskatoon. Della was one of a kind – funny, thoughtful and wise in so many ways. It was a joy to spend time with her. We are so sorry she has been taken much too soon but are grateful that we had a good visit with Della and Pat in Victoria just a few years ago. Our deepest sympathy to Pat, Heather, Robyn and Holly and all of her extended family. With love, Merrianne & Rick
Pat and family. So very sorry to hear of your loss. She is a great loss to all who knew her and to the Cochrane community.
Her friendship when I myself was volunteering at CMSO was much appreciated.
Thinking of you all. Sending love and condolences. Sorry for your loss.
Love, Bruce, Nancy Mack and Jenaya.
Sorry to hear of your loss
We spent many years in the school gyms with the Robertsons cheering on the girls teams
Got to know the family through Dale as we worked together for years
Sincerely the Furtney family
Pat . . . So sorry for your loss. Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
Pat and family
We are so very sorry to hear of Della’s passing. Our most sincere condolences
My sincere condolences to those closest to Della. I will never forget my school days memories of her. She was joyous and bright – a shining star. I was always hoping to see you one more time. Love, Ann Hollox Howell
Pat and Family, I am so very sorry for your loss of Della. I had the privilege of being a colleague when she worked in the Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary and we reunited several times as fellow Cochranites.
Dearest Robertson Family,
I was very saddened to hear of the loss of your wife, mother and grandmother.
Della was an intelligent woman who was committed to her family, her work and her community. I had the pleasure of working with her on some senior-focused committees and she was also my manager/mentor during her years with Cochrane Home Care. She always took time to connect with me and was genuinely interested in my personal life (not just work life)!
Her passing is such a great loss to many!
May she have eternal rest and peace.
My condolences to each of you.
So sorry to hear of Della’s passing. My condolences to all of her family.
Lyle Selinger
My deepest condolences to the beautiful family.
Della sure touched not only my heart but many hear at dulcina hospice.
Nothing but words of wisdom and a beautiful soul della was and the family!
Big big hugs to pat, Heather, Holly and Robin frlla sure loved her grand babies and always talked about them to.
Della will sure be missed and to the family I am sending a big hug and thinking of you all.
Bree ♡
Sending are deepest sympathies and sadness. Your Mom was a force for good and in a short time she created a legacy that will improve the lives of many through her advocacy for aging and care. It’s a terrible loss not just to her family but also to society that she is gone. We hope you can find comfort in the lives that she has and will continue to touch in the difficult days ahead. All our love, Marla and Lyndon
To the Kelly and Robertson families,
I am very saddened and sorry to hear of Della’s passing. I knew Della and the Kelly family from way back in my childhood days and I have many fond memories of her, her smile,, her warmth and kindness and her great sense of humour. She touched the lives of so many over her lifetime. What a tremendous gift. My heart goes out to all of you. Love from Julie Hollox Gray
Sending my sympathy to Pat and Family with my sincere thoughts of the contributions Della made to the community of Cochrane. I was fortunate to have her working on many Cochrane initiatives. Giving her expertise to many initiatives like Smoking bylaw, Home Care, hospice society . She will be missed and leaves a great legacy. Blessings to you Pat and family.
Pat and family, we send our sincere condolences on Della’s passing. We will miss her from the pool. We are so sorry for your loss. Helen and Brendan
So so sorry. My Mom always spoke fondly of Della and the Kelly clan. It has been many many years probably too long but memories of visits I still hold dear. RIP Della. I am sure Loretta will greet you. Condolences
Pat and family,
So surprised and sorry to hear of Della’s passing. Della was always so pleasant and engaging to chat with whenever we had the occasion to meet. We think back to the days when Holly and Joel were in high school together! Our sincere condolences to you, Pat, and family members.
John & Lynn Thomson