Obituary of Liz Hennel

Elizabeth Anne Hennel

In Loving Memory

Liz Hennel

September 2, 1944 – April 9, 2023

It is with great sadness that the family of Liz Hennel announces her passing on April 9, 2023, at the age of 78.

Liz was born in Dumfries, Scotland to Colin and Agnes McClymont and was an only child.  She started attending boarding school at a young age.  She took her nursing at Dumfries, Scotland and became a Registered Nurse graduating in 1964.  She then took her midwifery training in Belfast and later returned to Dumfries to begin working.

Liz and her friend, Jessie Smith (nee Fairweather), came to Canada for an adventure.  They landed in Toronto on November 23, 1967, and started working at the Scarborough hospital, as Canada was short of nurses.  They stayed in Toronto until September 1968 when they traveled to Calgary.  Upon arriving in Calgary, they came upon an ad that Stettler was looking for nurses.  After a phone call they were both accepted and made their way to Stettler.  The matron of the hospital gave them the bus number and met them at the Stettler bus depot.

She first met Rodney when he and a friend visited the nursing residences.  They were engaged April 6, 1969 and were married at Minnigaff, Scotland on August 14th of the same year.  They returned to Stettler to begin their lives on the farm with Liz continuing with her nursing career, which spanned over 30 years.  They welcomed their daughter Rhonda in 1974, and their sons Colin in 1976 and Keith in 1978.   They raised their family on the farm with Liz being active with the Linda Hall community.  She was known for her great garden and being an amazing cook.  As a lover of travel, Liz later owned a local travel agency until fully retiring.

Liz is survived by her loving family, husband of 53 years, Rodney Hennel of Stettler, AB; daughter Rhonda (Richard) Schell of Calgary, AB; son Colin (Andrea) Hennel of Calgary, AB and grandchildren: Olivia, Brody and Cohen; son Keith Hennel (Sara Glassman) of Edmonton, AB and grandchildren: Noah and Ewan; as well as brothers and sisters in law: Gloria Hennel of Myrnam, Lorne (Anne Marie) Hennel of Calgary, Gail (Ken) Laitila of Eckville, Bev Dawson of Stettler, and Kevin (Jodi) Hennel of Red Deer; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Liz is predeceased by her parents Colin and Agnes McClymont, parents-in-law Ludwig and Dulcie Hennel, and brother-in-law Daryl Hennel and sister-in law Rose Hennel.

Celebration of Liz’s Life

Monday, April 17, 2023 at 2:00 P.M.

Stettler Funeral Home, Stettler, Alberta

Should family or friends desire, memorial donations in Liz’s name may be made to the Stettler Hospice Society, P.O. Box 880, Stettler, Alberta T0C 2L0; Alberta Rheumatology, 1H1.91 WMC, 8440 – 112 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7 or a charity of the donor’s choice.