Obituary
Alma Annette Shaben died peacefully on March 23, 2021 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, surrounded by her children, at the age of 92 years. Beloved mother, wife, Sitty, aunt, and friend, she was a confidant, advisor and inspiration to all who knew her.
She is survived by her children, Linda, Carol (Riyad), Larry (Tracy), James and Joan; grandchildren, Max, Kayley, Adnan and Savannah; brother, Edward (Marcy); as well as numerous relatives and friends.
Alma was predeceased by her husband, Larry Shaben; sisters, Aliya, Jean, and Betty; and brothers, Jim, Bob, and Tom.
Born in Hannah, Alberta on June 8, 1928, she was the fifth of eight children of Lebanese immigrants, Rikia and Mahmoud Saddy. The family soon moved to Edmonton where Alma established a rich life of community involvement. Alma was many things: she was an entrepreneur, a teacher, a librarian, a school secretary, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and an adventurer her entire life. She never set a goal that she did not achieve through sheer determination and hard work. Following her graduation from high school, Alma worked as a telephone operator, and in her early twenties, opened a women’s clothing store on Whyte Avenue. Adventures awaited and Alma moved to Vancouver where she enjoyed living in the Kitsilano neighborhood and working for Imperial Oil. After an invitation from her sister Aliya, she moved to Japan in 1959 where she taught English as a second language. Upon her return to Edmonton, she married Larry and they began their family. Moving to High Prairie in 1966 with their five children aged five and under, Larry and Alma purchased and operated the Robinson General Store and established themselves within the rural community. They raised their family in High Prairie, eventually returning to Edmonton as the children began university. In Edmonton, Alma returned to work as a salesperson in a clothing store, and soon her adventurous spirit reemerged. In 1994, she and her daughter Linda opened a café anchored by Alma’s legendary cooking. The café became a gathering place for friends, family, and community, serving some of the best Lebanese food in the province. Following the loss of her husband Larry in 2008, Alma reinvented herself. She travelled the world, created many new friends, and spent her summers at Lesser Slave Lake at the family cottage, her most beloved place. Somehow managing to be elegant, sophisticated, and down-to-earth at the same time, her incredible warmth, generosity and selflessness captivated the hearts of everyone she met. Mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Alma was loved by all who knew her and will be dearly missed.
A private Funeral Service was held on Friday, March 25, 2021, followed by a burial at Beechmount Cemetery where Alma was laid to rest surrounded by the love of her family.
