PENDERGAST, Roberta “Bobbie”

PENDERGAST 1941-2023 ROBERTA “BOBBIE” PENDERGAST (née Ross), beloved wife of Duane Pendergast of 57 years, passed away peacefully with Duane and Jax by her side, at St. Michael’s Health Centre – Palliative Care Unit, on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at the age of 81 years.
Besides her loving husband, Duane, Bobbie is survived by her sister, Doreen Garland, her brother-in-law Bruce (Barbara) Pendergast, four nieces, four nephews, 14 great-nieces and nephews and six great-great-nieces and nephews. She is also survived by their beloved Miniature Schnauzer, Jax.
She was predeceased by her parents, Bob and Peggy Ross; her parents-in-law, Jess and Russ Pendergast; her sister, Marion Bennett; brothers-in law, Jim Leigh, Ron Bennett and Archie Garland and her two other much loved Miniature Schnauzers, Katie and Kohl.
Bobbie was born August 15, 1941 in Lacombe, Alberta. The family moved to High River when she was one and then to Calgary at age nine. She graduated from Viscount Bennett High School in 1959 and then enrolled in the Calgary General Hospital School of Nursing. After graduation as an RN in 1962, she worked in Kamloops, B.C., Edmonton, Alberta and Medicine Hat, Alberta, before returning to Calgary. She married Duane in 1966, and in January of 1967, they moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico. Duane attended graduate school at New Mexico State University and Bobbie nursed in Intensive Care and took Arts and Science at NMSU. After Duane earned his PhD in 1970, they moved to Spokane, Washington. In 1972, Duane accepted a position with CIDA and they moved to Ibadan, Nigeria for a two-year contract.
In 1974, they returned to Canada where Duane accepted a position at Atomic Energy of Canada in Mississauga, Ontario, where they resided for 26 years.
Bobbie worked as an office nurse for a few years and then changed careers. She studied Travel and Tourism at the Canadian Travel School and after graduation, worked at several travel agencies. This offered her a chance to broaden her travel horizons. She is proud that she has travelled to all ten provinces, two territories and all fifty states. She has visited five continents and many countries.
Duane and Bobbie returned to Alberta in September of 2000 to retire in Lethbridge. They both enjoyed their life here and the new friends they met. Bobbie loved travelling, especially in their RV., playing Bridge, reading, crosswords, and lunch with the “swimming girls”. A passionate fan of the Toronto Blue Jays, she followed the team since their inception in 1977. She was also an avid Jeopardy fan. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and Probus.
Bobbie really enjoyed spending a few months in the Palm Springs area of California during the winter and looked forward to seeing their “winter friends”.
The family expresses their thanks to the staff at St. Michael’s Health Centre for their compassionate care.
At Bobbie’s request, in lieu of a funeral service, a “Celebration of Life” Reception will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Thursday, August 10, 2023 from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Lethbridge & District Humane Society, 2920 16 Ave. N. Lethbridge, AB or a charity of your choice.
To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com