Obituary of Verlie May Meiklejohn

Verlie May was born February 9, 1931 to Josiah & Lucy (Ward) Thompson. On May 19, 2011, at the age of 80 years, she passed away peacefully at Capital Care Grandview in Edmonton after an eleven-year struggle with Alzheimers. Verlie lived sixty-four years in Provost. She married Sonny Meiklejohn in 1951 and together they raised five children. She moved to Edmonton in 1996, after Sonny's death, to be closer to her family. Verlie had a passion for music and teaching. She spent fifty years of her life as a piano, voice, guitar, and accordion teacher to hundreds of young people. Verlie had a strong faith and was very active in the United Church as choir director and Sunday School teacher. She was an inspiration to those who knew her, encouraging all to be the best persons they could be. Mom's piano was always covered with Post-It notes bearing inspirational quotes for her students. Mom...these quotes are for you; Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music. ~Ronald Reagan There is nothing in the world so much like prayer as music is. ~W. P. Merrill Classical music is the kind we keep thinking will turn into a tune. ~Kin Hubbard (And sometimes Mom was wishing for this miracle too!) Get up from that piano. You hurtin' its feelings. ~Jelly Roll Morton Music is well said to be the speech of angels. ~T. Carlyle Mom…you were the angel that spoke to many through your God-given gift of music. Verlie will be forever missed and lovingly remembered by her children, Julie (Graham) Penny of Winnipeg, Wendy (Robin) Rae of Calgary, Vern (Sherry), Lee Dennie, and Troy (Lucy), all of Edmonton. She also leaves to mourn her grandchildren, Lauren Penny, Corey and Brittany Rae, Bo and Sommer Meiklejohn, Brett Dennie, and Brandon Meiklejohn. Verlie was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Sonny Meiklejohn; her sister, Frieda Zurbrigg; and her half-brothers, Osborne, Douglas, and Donald Thompson.