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Wilma Bethune Conkey
October 3, 1919 - May 17, 2017
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<div itemprop="description">Wilma Conkey (nee Matheson) of Calgary died following a lengthy battle with cancer on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at the age of 97. <br><br>Wilma was born on October 3, 1919, the eldest of three children born to Scottish immigrants Agnes and Alexander Matheson.<br><br>She was raised and educated in Saskatoon. After graduating from Technical Collegiate, she worked for three years at the School for the Deaf. Wilma joined the Women’s Canadian Army Corps in February 1943 where she trained as a dental assistant.<br><br>Little did Wilma know how good a decision joining the army would be, as it was there that she would meet the love of her life, Merv Conkey. Merv and Wilma were married at the HMCS Unicorn in Saskatoon in 1945. They were the first army couple to marry at a navy base. Wilma was discharged from the army in June 1946 and was an army wife for the next 32 years. She also continued her work as a dental assistant. Wilma and Merv were posted in 10 different bases across Canada but Calgary always held a special place in their hearts. It was here they bought their first home, put down roots and eventually retired in 1972.<br><br>Merv and Wilma loved to travel and together, they saw the world and a lot of Canada – both before and after retirement. They were also big sports fans – especially football and hockey – and to the end, Wilma maintained that passion … especially for her Calgary Flames. <br><br>Wilma was always a hard worker, whether it was the 32 years she put in as a dental assistant, the volunteer hours spent cuddling babies in the intensive care nursery at the Foothills Hospital or knitting literally hundreds of little hats, booties and mitts for those babies, a task she was doing right to the end.<br><br>Wilma also always made time for her friends and family … whether it was weekly trips to the legion, activities with the “Bastarettes”, phone calls and letters just to keep in touch with friends and family, Christmas and other special occasions at Rocky Mountain House or heading out for her annual trek to the Calgary Stampede. <br><br>There is no doubt Wilma lived her long life to the fullest. She loved a very good man, pursued her passions, enjoyed time with friends and family, worked hard, and made a difference in the world. She said her only regret was that Merv went too soon … as he lost a battle with cancer in December 1989.<br><br>In addition to Merv, Wilma was predeceased by both her parents and brother in law Robert Shaw. She is survived by sister Agnes “Bunty” Shaw of Minneapolis, St. Paul, brother Alexander Matheson (Marjorie) in Saskatoon and numerous nieces and nephews on both the Conkey and Matheson sides of her family across Canada and the US. Wilma and her family would like to thank the entire staff at Rosedale Hospice for their kind and compassionate care and for their friendship.<br><br>A Graveside service will be held at Mountain View Memorial Gardens (17 Ave SE at Garden Road) on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made directly to the Alberta Children’s Hospital. To express condolences, please visit: www.mountainviewmemorial.ca. <br></div>