CAROL FRANCES PEDERSON

Carol F. Pederson 

Dip. Nursing (City Hospital); B.Comm (U of S) 

(1941-2020)

Early in the morning on Sunday, August 2nd, Carol passed away peacefully in Heartland Regional Health Centre in Unity from complications related to her long-suffering of dementia. 

The daughter of Frank & Isabella (Laurie) Beggs, Carol was born in Wilkie, SK, raised in Saskatoon, SK; lived a full life as a young woman attending Nutana Collegiate and then studying Nursing at City Hospital.  While there she met her partner and the love of her life.  Carol and Ron (M Pederson) were married in Saskatoon, on December 29, 1963.  

From her flaming red hair, you could tell Carol was a Celtic lass (never choosing between her Irish and Scottish roots).  Yet, she also enthusiastically learned and adopted the Nordic cultural traditions of Ron’s family in order to pass both heritages to her children.   If there were only one word to describe the way her, it would be ‘larrikin' (a word Australians use to describe a mischievous, rowdy, good-hearted person, whom acts and speaks with ribald disregard for social or political conventions)!  She loved to socialise with friends, relatives and family.  No holiday went past without traditional celebrations, laughter, music or the raucous and outrageously competitive playing of games.  She lived each day to its fullest whether that be making a favourite meal, swimming at Atton's Lake with her nieces, or reading a good book.

Carol was fiercely independent, proud and a force of nature when it came to expressing her love and support for family.  Of all her passions, Carol was most ardent in her belief that every person should have the capacity and capability to support themselves independently.  Following this belief, once their children were in grade school, Carol returned to University and persisted with many new challenges to earn a Bachelor of Commerce degree.  She then embarked upon a very successful career as a health care executive.  Together, Ron and Carol moved throughout Western Canada to support their career ambitions.  While she rose up management ranks from the Saskatoon’s Red Cross Blood Bank, to become head of Nursing at Sherbrooke Community Centre, an opportunity for Ron led them to move to Regina where Carol became the head of Nursing and Admitting at Regina’s Wascana Rehabilitation Centre.  Next, it was Carol’s turn to trigger a move, as they moved to Vancouver when she became CEO of a Dementia Care focused hospital.   Later she pursued roles in Regional Health Care management and they moved to Dawson Creek prior to eventually landing in Nelson BC, where Carol had become the Head of Nursing for the Kootenay Regional Health District.  Throughout her Administration Career, Carol was a strong advocate for senior care standards and rights.  She served several decades as an accreditor of long-term care facilities across Canada; leading to the unanticipated benefit of Carol and Ron being able to have extended visits to every part of Canada.

Carol loved to travel and learn about new places and peoples.  This led her to experience Africa —Kenya, Ethiopia; Europe — Germany, England, Ireland, and throughout North America.    Of all the places she travelled her favourites were: i) beside Ron in Kona, Hawaii, or ii) around the camp-fire singing songs with her extended family.

Carol was an avid reader, a gifted games player, an enthusiastic (social) curler, an aspiring artist, and an accomplished mentor of her children, nieces and grandchildren. 

Left to celebrate Carol's life are children: Boyd (spouse Lorraine; grandchildren Liam & Cole) and Nola (spouse Bentley; grandchildren Spencer & Kali); siblings (Don & Lois), many nieces & nephews, close friends and loved ones. Carol was pre-deceased by her husband Ron, and her siblings Lyall, Allan, Ross, Doris, and Diane.

She died peacefully and will be deeply missed by friends and extended family (Beggs, Southgates, Pederson's, & Johnsons).  

The family will post further updates regarding memorial celebration shortly.

In lieu of flowers, Carol’s family requests that donations be made to Alzheimers Canada programs at https://alzheimer.ca/en/Home/Get-involved/Ways-to-donate

Cards can be directed to: Nola Sperle, Box 1552, Unity, SK S0K 4L0

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