Cleta Haggerty (nee Umbach)

Cleta Haggerty passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in her home in Cremona on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at the age of 88 years. Cleta was born on October 31, 1935, to Walter and Loudell Umbach. She was the youngest of four children; brothers Verdun and Ken, and sister Betty (all predeceased), who taught her such skills as sewing and reciting the alphabet backwards – things she could still do in her 88th year.

Her resilient spirit was forged early in life when she lost both parents before the age of 12. In the years following their death she stayed with various relatives before coming to live with the Holbrooks, who became a much-loved second family to her.

Cleta spent her teen years in Cremona completing her high school diploma before going on to graduate as a nurse at the Holy Cross School of Nursing in Calgary. She married the love of her life, Ray, in 1957 and moved to Madden to start a family. After the birth of their three daughters, they moved back to Cremona and purchased their first home - Cleta’s first permanent home since childhood and the home she would live in until her death.

Cleta worked for many years as the administrator for the Village of Cremona, the community she loved. She and Ray spent their summers golfing and camping, and enjoyed many happy years travelling south in the winter with friends. Cleta excelled at sewing western shirts, school clothes and even wedding dresses. In her later years she also enjoyed quilting.

Cleta lost her beloved husband of 44 years in 2002, but her resilient spirit carried her forward and she lived fully for another 22 years before reuniting with him. In that time, she continued to enjoy golfing weekly with friends at the Ladies Club. She loved singing, sewing, her cats, and was devoted to her family.

She is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Cindy (Brian) Setter, Shelley (Ken) Morlock and Colleen (Tom) Hunter; her loving grandchildren, Kyle (Chelsey) Setter, Kailey Setter, Robyn (Charlie) Hoffman, Erica (James) Fournier, Caitlan Hunter (Kody Wickham) & Jayme (Austen) Tanney. Known as GG to great grandchildren, Everett, Reese, Jackson, Walker & Wren. She will be deeply missed, but the seeds of resilience she so lovingly planted and tenaciously tended throughout her life live on in all those she leaves behind. A private inurnment will be held later in the summer.

In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made to Cleta’s favorite Charity, “Tails to Tell Animal Shelter” in Crossfield https://tailstotell.ca/