CAMPBELL, Elizabeth January 21, 1927 – June 27, 2016 Mrs. John A. (Elizabeth) Somerville Campbell passed away at her ranch home near Black Diamond on June 27, 2016 at the age of 89 years. She is predeceased by her husband, John Campbell and their only daughter, Elsbeth, whom died as an infant in Calgary. She is survived by her seven sons, and numerous grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. “Elizabeth”, was born at Chedoke, the family home, in Barton Township, later to become part of Hamilton, Ontario. She is youngest of 6 siblings of Ethel (Southam) and William S. Balfour. As a school girl, she attended Strathallan, also went to Havergal and Trinity at the University of Toronto to earn a BA in 1947. She married a Scotsman, John Campbell in 1951. He was sponsored after the Great War, to come to Hamilton through the Hendrie family of Hamilton, and the 48th Highlanders – and through them, they met. They were married at Auchmar, a beautiful house near Chedoke. She helped our dad with his studies at Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, reading the text books aloud to him, so unknown to her at the time, was setting the groundwork for a life in The West. The eldest of the many sons, John was born in Hamilton. First year in Calgary area they lived in the ‘Littlewood House’ situated atop Pump Hill, 8 miles southwest of the city. Few of their many friends came to visit as in those days, the roads out were far too muddy and often impassable. Pump Hill now, is not far from Chinook Centre Mall, in central Calgary. After his year as a sales territory rep. for Robin Hood Feeds, and searching a site, they chose to buy a ranch near Black Diamond, Alberta. They had 6 more sons, one of them born in the ranch home. Mrs. Campbell was well known for her philanthropy and her modest and more often than not, her anonymous giving to the community. Due to the large post war population baby boom, she was a boy Scout leader with her husband, John who also was a leader at the time. They drove a cold VW van often with no back seats crammed with little boys off to camps and activities. Once a cop pulled Dad over while in cub leader uniform. The copper let him off as he continued to lead the boys even after the ranch house caught fire in 1963. She gave to the church, her former schools, the Red Cross, Stars Air Ambulance, Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, Foothills Health Foundation, worked the local Food Bank and drove for Meals on Wheels for over 34 years. She was a founder of the local Foothills Health Trust, offering years of dedication to the health of the M.D. She helped often at the Millarville Agricultural Society and sponsored a foster child overseas. Mum was presented the “Caring Canadian Award” in 2014 by the federal government for her lifelong service. She was nominated Black Diamond Citizen of the Year award, yet refused it stating that, “I am not a citizen of Black Diamond as I am rural.” She may have not been the best house keeper in the area, yet she hammered the manners into her sons and kicked them when they forgot to stand if a lady entered the room or to take their hats off. Her cattle brand was ‘WWW’ and car license ‘WKT WCH’ meaning that since she came from the east she now was the witch of the west. Many feared her, yet those who knew her, knew of a kind heart, one with quick wit and a gentle, yet rascally woman who with knitting needles in hand, made many a worthwhile and responsible decision for the foothills. We invite you to celebrate with us her life and death at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 10 at the Millarville Race Track Hall (306097 192 Street, Millarville, AB) following a private family funeral at Christ Church Millarville. Please no flowers as she would have preferred donation gifts to local charity of your choice in memory of Mum. Condolences may be left for the family at www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements in care of Snodgrass Funeral Homes – Okotoks.