We Remember

HENDERSON, Earla Mildred
April 25, 1934 — May 18, 2023
Earla, a loving and dedicated wife, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2023, at 89 years of age. She is survived by her loving husband and soul mate, Rolly Henderson (who reunited with her nine days later). Earla is also survived by her two stepchildren, Lori Lee (Les) Deering and Kelly Marie (Bill) Baird; her five grandchildren, Royce Vernon Ràk, Adam Lee Clay, Michelle Kathleen (Janusz) Pozniak, Chantilly Love Clay, and Jeremy Miles Clay; her three great-grandchildren, Kaden James Clay, Attila Jerzy Pozniak and Olek Jerzy Pozniak, and her niece, Norma (Brian) Rooke. Earla was predeceased by her sister Valerie (Victor) Jagoldas.
Earla Mildred (née Gray) was born on April 25, 1934, in Regina, Saskatchewan. At the age of 5, Earla’s ballet training began. At the age of 12, she moved to Toronto, Ontario with her Mother. Earla had the honour of training with Celia Franca (Founder of the National Ballet School of Canada) and Betty Oliphant (Co-Founder of the National Ballet School of Canada). Earla continued her training in Toronto until the age of 19 and moved to Edmonton, Alberta where she opened a ballet dance studio. During her teaching years, Celia Franca travelled to Edmonton to test Earla’s students and selected one of her male dancers to join the National Ballet of Canada. At 28 years of age, Earla met the love of her life, Rolly Henderson, and shared 61 glorious years together.
Earla strived for excellence in everything she did. She attained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, worked as a legal secretary at a renowned law firm, and enjoyed playing her folk guitar. In her retirement, Earla and Rolly moved to Okotoks in southern Alberta and then the beautiful Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, living many years in Peachland and a final move to Kelowna. Earla was an avid quilter, runner (including marathons), and volunteer, and loved playing crib every morning with Rolly. She was a wonderful woman and will be missed dearly!
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I held a deep and abiding love for her ever since I studied ballet with her in Edmonton. She had the ability to inspire the heart, to encourage the mind, and make everyone feel bright in whatever they did. I was so sad to hear that she had been so near to me (I am now in the Kamloops area) and yet I did not know. I would have gone any distance to see her again, and to know it was so short a distance is heartbreaking. Nonetheless, I will always carry her in my heart as a treasure from the early part of my life.
Auntie Earla was my mum’s sister and the best auntie a girl could ask for. Always loving and encouraging – I live in England and over the years haven’t seen auntie Earla and Uncle Rolly as much as I would have liked but we did visit whenever we came to Canada. I will always remember her and her talent and sweet ways. A very special lady