MCCAUGHERTY, Carla

MCCAUGHERTY
Carla Glori McCaugherty died peacefully in Calgary on Friday, November 4, 2022 at the age of 57 years. She is survived by her loving and devoted partner, Ed Bourassa, and sisters Dawn and Kristi (Glenn Van Buuren).
Carla was born in Lethbridge and raised on the family farm in the riverbottom west of the city. She attended Coalhurst Elementary School, and Hamilton Jr. High and LCI in Lethbridge. A voracious reader, her interests were wide and varied and while studying philosophy at the University of Lethbridge, she enjoyed working on The Meliorist. She loved all animals but especially horses and cats. For many years she was a member of the Hilltoppers Gymkhana Club in the Bend and competed with her horse Taffy at many shows in southern Alberta and BC. In 1981, she was crowned Alberta High School Rodeo Queen and traveled to Wyoming to compete internationally.
After university she moved to Calgary and at the age of 21 purchased her house, from which she moved only last year. She worked her way up to managing a Whitespot Restaurant before moving to Nova Chemicals, first as a temp and then in the HR department. For many years she was a beauty consultant for Mary Kay skincare, enjoying the professional and personal opportunities the company supported and she continually used and gifted the products. An excellent baker, for many years Christmas also meant the gift of Carla’s wonderful fruit cakes, well doused with liquor.
In 1999, Carla was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Over the years, as MS restricted her freedom and stole from her the ability to walk, write, see and move, she retained her dignity and sense of humour to the end, as she fought the ravages of this disease.
There will be no service as per Carla’s wishes and immediate family will have a private event at a later date to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the MS Society of Canada or the Alberta SPCA.