Obituary of Verna Parkinson

Verna Parkinson was born and grew up in Durham, UK. Even late in life, she continued to think affectionately about Durham Cathedral and its beautiful surroundings. She completed undergraduate studies in Psychology at the University of Nottingham. Moving with her family to Canada, she raised three children: David, Nicholas, and Louise. Most of her adult life, she lived in Calgary, just on the north shore of Glenmore Reservoir, where she loved to take walks. She was a skilled and avid pianist who greatly enjoyed orchestral and chamber concerts in Calgary and Banff. Completing a graduate degree in Educational Psychology at the University of Calgary, she worked for many years as a Psychologist with the Calgary Board of Education. She found deep satisfaction in guiding children and their families as they identified strengths and opportunities and experienced success in Calgary’s increasingly diverse educational system. A lifetime experience for her was her trip to Greece, which long remained a delight for her to recall and talk about. A great blessing of her life came to her through the little and not so little animals she met and cared for, and especially the dogs. To the end, books sustained and diverted her; for longer than one can remember, she charged through mystery novels at an impossibly fast rate. She is remembered ensconced on her couch, a dog nearby, attending to various grandchildren. At Verna’s request, there will be no service or memorial. Donations are invited to Central Haven Special Care Home in Saskatoon, whose excellent staff cared for Verna through her last years.