Obituary of Aleda "Perky" McCullough

Aleda "Perky" McCullough was born in the Peace River Hospital, on the 12th June 1935, the 3rd child born to George and Marie PERKINS, of Judah, Alberta. Judah is located south of Peace River, near the banks of the Smoky River, where her parents farmed. In 1953 she graduated from the Peace River High School. The principal encouraged her to seek a recreational career, however, her dreams were to join the Edmonton City Police Department, and become a Policewoman. After leaving school, Perky worked as a secretary for Traders Finance, and also as a part time matron for the RCMP. In July 1956, she was accepted into the Edmonton City Police Department and after extensive training, graduated as Policewoman No. 9. In 1959, she met Bruce McCullough, a Constable with the Edmonton City Police Department, who became her husband on July 29, 1960. An exception was made by the Commissioners of the City of Edmonton, allowing them to both remain on the Force after marriage, a First for any Police Force in Canada. They both continued their careers with the Edmonton City Police Department until 1965, when husband Bruce, left the force to become an Enforcement Officer with the Attorney Generals Department, and Perky retiring later that same year. On April 1, 1966, the couple along with their new son Patric moved to Grande Prairie. In 1966, Perky was elected to serve on the Grande Prairie Parks and Recreation Board and became actively involved in curling and fastball. Her term with Parks and Recreation ended in 1968 when their second son, Nolan, arrived. From 1967 to 1974, she served as Zone Representative for the Alberta Amateur Fastball Association. Was Secretary/Treasurer of the Wapiti Men's Fastball Club, was an umpire, and played with the Truckette Fastball team until sustaining a knee injury in 1975. Perky involved herself with curling, fastball and golf. In 1979 she received the 'Volunteer of the Year Award' for the City of Grande Prairie. She had the privilege to serve as President of the Peace Ladies' Curling Association', as well as President of the Alberta Ladies' Curling Association. In 1980 she served as Director of 'Friends of the Games' for the Alberta Winter Games and then became President of the Grande Prairie Games Society until 1995. She served on the Alberta Games Council, the Alberta Sport Council, and Alberta Sport Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation from 1984 until 1996, and in 2000 was re-appointed to the Alberta Sport, Recreation. Parks and Wildlife Foundation until December 2008. In 1983 she received the 'Volunteer Award for the City of Grande Prairie'. Her life has been filled with many opportunities to serve the City of Grande Prairie and Provincial Sport Associations, such as, Chairman of the 1986 Senior Games; Alberta Mission Staff for 1987 Winter Games; Grande Prairie Regional College Foundation; Northwest Alberta Winter Games; 1990 Mission Staff for Arctic Winter Games; Director of Special Projects for 1995 Canada Winter Games; Director of Protocol 2000 Alberta Summer Games; Pursuit of Excellence Committee, City of Grande Prairie; 2004 Royal Bank Cup; 2006 Ford World Women's Curling and Bid Committee, 2010 Arctic Winter Games. For her efforts to develop sport and recreational activities, Perky has received the "Energize, Provincial Volunteer Recognition" on two occasions; "Celebration '88 Award (XV Olympic Celebrations"; The coveted, "Paul Harris Award"; and was inducted into the "Alberta Sport Hall of Fame" (as a sport builder), she was "Centennial Ambassador in 2005" and received "2005 Alberta Centennial Recognition". She is a Past Queen of Daughter's of the Nile; is a Past President, and First Lady President, of the Grande Prairie Golf & Country Club, and President of the Grande Prairie Ladies' Golf Club. Perky was always proud to call Grande Prairie home, and celebrated 51 years of marriage and her 76th birthday, this past year. The past several winters have been spent at their second home in Yuma Arizona, where Perky has been very active in several Golf Clubs. After a battle with cancer, her life ended on Saturday the 11th February 2012 at QE ll Hospital, with family at her side. Perky was predeceased by her Parents, her oldest brother Wellington, and older sister Anne Funk. She leaves to mourn her loving husband Bruce, sons Patric (Darla, and grandson Nicholas), and Nolan (Kerrie, granddaughter Christina, and grandson Thomas), her Sister Marlene Matthews, her Brother Lloyd Perkins, great grandchildren, and numerous Relatives, Nieces, and Nephews. A Celebration of Her Life was held at People's Church - 11850 - 108 Street, Grande Prairie, AB. Pastor Nelson Jones officiated. The Service was held at 2.00 P.M. Friday, the 17th February 2012. For friends so wishing donations may be made in memory of Perky to the QE ll Hospital Foundation, Palliative Care Unit # 5N. A private, family interment of cremains will be held at a later date. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium