Obituary - Rea Malcolm

Rea went to be with her Lord and Saviour on November 25th, 2009 after a courageous battle with ALS. Rea was born in Pernaja, Finland on August 8th, 1938. She graduated from nursing school (LGI) in Yorkshire, England in 1963. She was privileged to be on the team that performed the first kidney transplant in the world. She moved to Canada where she met her husband John and had a son Mark. She worked in the O.R at the Royal Alexandra in Edmonton where she met Shirley Babad who became a long time friend. In 1971 Rea and Shirley began working together at the Single Mens Hostel in Edmonton dealing with men with various addictions and illnesses. Rea was always kind, patient and loving towards her patients and had many good memories during her many years of service (retired in Sept 2006). Rea said her greatest experience in life was on Mothers day May 9th 1976 when she was saved by grace and surrendered her life to God! Rea was a very Godly woman, she was always willing to help others and serve the Lord. Rea and John went on 3 missions trip to India and Rea taught Sunday school to adults and children for many years and was involved at various levels with the Evangelical Women’s group. Most of all she was a faithful prayer warrior! Rea was an amazing “Mommo” to her grandchildren. She was actively involved whether it was board games, playdough, hopscotch, eye spy, tobogganing, bike riding or skating, she did it all. Rea will be lovingly remembered by her husband John, son Mark, daughter in law Tracey and grandchildren Cambria and Tia. She is survived by her adopted son Timothy, sister Lea and numerous nieces and nephews in Finland. She is predeceased by her parents Sigurd and Sandra Blomqvist and sister Ruth. A celebration of Rea’s life will be held at the Zion Evangelical Missionary Church in New Sarepta, AB on December 18th at 1:00pm where she has many treasured and special friends. If friends so desire, donations can be made to her granddaughters school, Cornerstone Christian School in Medicine Hat or the ALS Society in Edmonton or Calgary. A special thank-you to the nurses and doctors on Palliative Care at the Medicine Hat Hospital. We very much appreciate the special care you provided.