In Memory Of

Esther "Emily" Blake

Feb 11, 1931 - Apr 14, 2026

Service

Saturday, April 25, 2026
12:00 pm
Chapel of the Rocky Funeral Home
4804-48 street
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta

Notice

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rocky Mountain House Health Centre, 5016 52 Ave, Rocky Mountain House, AB T4T 1T2.

Obituary

Esther (Emily) Blake, nee Howard, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away at the age of 95 years, on April 14, 2026, at Rocky Mountain House, Alberta.
Emily will be lovingly remembered her five children, Linda (Leo) Hurtubise of Surrey, B.C., Don (Sheilagh) of Powell River, B.C., Ellie (Joe Brown) Oxley-Brown of Sylvan Lake, Dale (Shari) of Rocky Mountain House and Brent (Tammy) of Rocky Mountain House, thirteen grandchildren: Nicole Hurtubise, Jen (Andy) Horsburgh, David Marthaller, Yvette (Rudy) D’Andrea, Melissa (Josh) Solberg, James (Leasa) Oxley, Jay (Tamara) Blake, Cameron (Kimberly) Brown, Jana Blake, Rene (Melinda) Blake, Tali (Sheldon) Blake, Matthew Brown, and Emily Blake; twelve great-grandchildren. Emily is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Deloras (George) Howard and Dorothy (David) Munro, and many nieces and nephews.
Emily was predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Jay, in 2001, and by her only sibling, George Howard, in 2020.
Emily, the firstborn child of Walter Howard and Daisy Warner, was born on Feb. 11, 1931, in Innisfail, Alberta. Emily grew up on the Howard homestead just east of town. She much preferred being outdoors helping her father on the farm to being indoors doing household chores. Although she learned to bake, her future husband had to teach her how to cook. Emily had a competitive soul. Whether it was as an athletic youth participating in many high school sports or aiming for high grades, she strove for the best. This competitiveness continued throughout her life, whether playing games or displaying flowers at a fair. After graduating from high school, Emily worked at the Olds Treasury Branch until her marriage. In 1951, Emily met the love of her life, Jay Milton Blake, at a community dance. They continued to dance until his death in 2001. Married on August 9, 1952, they started their shared life by farming on the Blake family homestead in the Westholme area east of Innisfail. Within a year of their marriage, the couple's first child was born, quickly followed by four more. Linda in 1953, Don in 1954, Ellie in 1955, Dale in 1958 and Brent in 1961. We often teased them: if they had wanted a smaller family, they should have bought the TV sooner.
The newlyweds farmed the Blake homestead until 1956, when they moved to Calgary with the first three of their children. In 1961, ever adventurous, jobless, and knowing no one, Jay convinced Emily to move to Langley, B.C. By then, they had completed their family with the addition of two more children. Despite the challenges of a large family, Emily found time to help neighbours, host parties, play baseball, and volunteer through the PTA and Girl Guides. To help make ends meet, Mom sold Avon, sewed clothes, planted, harvested & preserved fruit and vegetables from our garden and orchard. It is surprising how many ways Mom could use apples! One of Jay and Emily’s most successful endeavours was purchasing a Chevron service station in 1965. Dad did the mechanics, and Mom did the accounting and pumped gas. In 1974, after selling the service station, Jay decided he wanted to give farming another try, and, as with their previous moves, Emily reluctantly agreed. They moved back to Alberta after 13 years in Langley to find themselves on a farm in the Evergreen area near Rocky Mountain House. After a few years, Jay and Emily gave up farming but continued to make the Rocky area their home for the remainder of their years, except for two years back in Langley and a summer in Salmon Arm. Mom remained a hard worker with an enterprising spirit when she owned several H&R offices. After six years, Mom sold H&R. During these years, Mom had cancer, which was cured through weeks of radiation. But because of the radiation, she lost a kidney. Nevertheless, she showed determination and continued to live her life to the fullest. Mom also worked at the Plant Ranch, which she thoroughly enjoyed because of all the plants. Not to be forgotten were the four houses Mom & Dad built over the years. Jay and Emily loved RV'ing and put too many to count miles on their various RVs as they travelled all over North America, including Mexico. In fact, they lived full-time in the RV for more than five years before buying their house on 56th Street in town. In about 1988, to escape the Alberta winters, they started going south to California. Mom continued that 1,700-mile trek from Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, to Desert Hot Springs, California, with only her dog for company until 2018. She was a valued member of Almar Acres, where she participated in most activities. No matter where she lived or travelled, Emily made new friends.
Mom’s deepest passion, other than family, was genealogy. She started researching the Howard and Blake families when there was no internet, but spent hours upon hours poring over microfiche, maps, and books at libraries, including the huge Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Competing for the deepest passion was Mom's love of gardening, especially flowers. She was so excited when she was awarded Garden of the Year. Mom’s love of the outdoors was evident in her enjoyment of gardening, fishing, quadding, and RVing, all of which she actively shared with Jay, her children, her grandchildren, and friends. Other hobbies included garage-sailing, needlework, and reading. A highlight of Emily’s life was receiving the Rocky Mountain House 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award for her volunteer work!
A Celebration of Emily’s life will be held on April 25, 2026, at the Rocky Funeral Home at noon. Rev. Mark Chiang officiating. Lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rocky Mountain House Health Centre, 5016 52 Ave, Rocky Mountain House, AB T4T 1T2.

Condolences

Rich Hirschmiller:

Sincere condolences to Emily’s family. She was a great lady whose cheerful laugh and comments will be missed.

Frances Sosnoski:

My condolences to Emily's whole family. Emily's was a regular at the swimming pool where she shared her adventures, stories and life lessons. I loved her humour. I will miss her.

Patty Atkinson:

Dear Brent, Tammy and family,
My sincerest sympathies at this difficult time. It is never the right time to have to say that final goodbye.

Melissa Hurtubise Clarke :

Condolences to your family! Emily was a wonderful woman. Love and prayers to you all.

James and Rhonda (Hamilton) McPhail:

Ellie, Dale, Brent and families and Linda and Don and families. We were very saddened to hear of Emily's passing. She was such a lovely and amazing lady that you were blessed to have had as your Mom. We know you will miss her forever. Take solace in the fact that she has been reunited with Jay. May you all smile a little with the special memories you have with both of them. You really won the parent lottery with the two of them! She is now resting in divine paradise, having earned her special place in Heaven!

Ralph and Linda Seeley:

We are so sorry to hear of your Moms passing. We are sure she will be missed very much by everyone. Condolences to all the family.

Carol O’Brien:

Emily was a very kind person and great to visit with. She was a great ambassador for the Rocky community. We crossed paths in my sewing store, Sew Much More and with David Thompson Days. Sincere condolences.

Linda Tomlinson:

Emily was a great lady. We shared a number of gardening adventures over the years. One included rescuing yellow Ladyslippers before road construction started from a ditch east of Innisfail. By the time we arrived it was dark but that wasn't a problem. Once identified the plants were quickly dug packed into the vehicle.

Al and Jeanne Sprague:

We’re so very sorry to learn of Emily’s passing. We have no doubt her incredible spirit will shine through in those she’s left behind. Hugs to all.

Russ Parnell:

So nice of having the pleasure to meet you. In Belize and Rocky. My deepest condolences to all the family.

Vera Watts:

Brent, Tammy, Jay, Jana & the Blake family. We are so sad to hear of Emily’s passing. May she rest in peace. You are in our thoughts and prayers. She certainly will be missed.

Pat and Carol Tailleur :

We played canasta with Emile at Pioneer Center. Thoughts and prayers with u all .

Lorelei Berry:

Entire Blake Family, Emily was a lovely lady and will be missed throughout the community. She lived and loved life to the fullest may she rest in peace. My condolences to you all.

Lana & Darren Paisley :

To Brent and Tammy and family:
So sad to hear about the passing of your Mom. I always admired your mom and I always enjoyed our little chats when she was in the dental office. Your mom was always so young at heart and she just never seemed to age. We will miss her.

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