August 23, 1930 – June 12, 2022

Lucy “Lou” Ackerman was a smart woman with a powerful will, a strong personality and a determined mind. She was principled and unstoppable. Yes, she was a force. She also had a kind, empathetic heart and an open, hospitable nature.

Lou was born in Edmonton, the youngest of four children. Her beloved parents, Michael and Helen, had arrived from Ukraine in the mid 1920s. She grew up in the Edmonton neighbourhood of Delton, first on 89 Street and later on 88 Street where her father had built a small, sturdy house.

Lou met the love of her life, Andrew, at a dance, and they married in 1949. They made a dashing couple then and for the 69 years that followed. Throughout her life, when friends and family gathered, Lou would lead singsongs as Andrew played piano. She did not mind being at the centre of the action and attention!

As Andrew was in the Royal Canadian Air Force, there were numerous moves in Europe and Canada. They finally settled in Edmonton in 1966, and moved back into her parents’ house, the circle completed. Even as Andrew grew to need more care, she looked after him in their home until she was 88 years old.

Along the way, Lou had three children, David (Merle), Sheryl (Pauline Bélanger) and Peter (Liz). She and Andrew were able and happy to look after their grandson, Aaron, after he was born, before he started school.

Like her mother before her, Lou was a hard, hard worker. She learned to be resilient and to adapt to the countless changes and moves necessitated by military life. Somehow, she always created comfortable homes for her family whom she loved fiercely and who were the focus of her life. She did sometimes work outside the home, and especially enjoyed being the printer at Balwin School.

She was very sociable and made many friendships that endured for decades. In her adventurous way, Lou made sure to take advantage of living in Europe, travelling and camping, even with three little children to look after.

Besides singing and dancing, Lou loved working in her vegetable and flower garden; it was one of her happiest places. She impressed everyone with her peonies, irises and gladiolus. And oh, the jelly she made from the raspberries in her yard! She was Queen of the casino and bingo, before her many health challenges made this too difficult.

Lou lived at the Chartwell Griesbach Retirement Residence after Andrew’s death for one and a half years. Eventually her extensive health needs required more care, and she moved to Extendicare Eaux Claires for the last 16 months of her life. We are endlessly thankful for the care and kindness given to her there. Staff members loved “Mama-Lou’s” ready smile, her resilience, kindness, sweetness and stories. They said she was one of the strongest residents they had ever met. But finally, her body could do no more, “I’m just worn out,” she explained.

Lou will never be forgotten.

A private Graveside Service was held at St. Michael’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made towards diabetes and dementia research.