In Memory
Cleta Haggerty (nee Umbach)
![Cleta Haggerty (nee Umbach)](https://stylelabs-wowza.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/ss_crm/obituaries/467/1720036128/HAGGERTYCleta-Oval.png)
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/
Share a message or memory
Jen Galpin
G Stevenson
My rounds of golf with Cleta supplemented by her hugs and words of encouragement will never be forgotten.