Priscilla Theresia Lemke-Stoffels

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Priscilla Theresia Lemke on April 7th, 2023. Known to most as Tracey, she was born in Calgary, Alberta on October 9th 1972. Tracey was the loving mother of three boys, Joshua, Sammi, and Zachariah; and beloved grandmother of Noah, Juliane and Eva.

Tracey was pre-deceased by several family members, including her Great-Grandmother, Theresia Oemi VanHerwaarde, Great-Grandfather, Herbertus Aloysius VanHerwaarde, Uncle John Belfroy, Auntie Amalia Belfroy and daughter-in-law, Denica Ahee. Tracey leaves to mourn her mother, Peggy Lemke; sister, Cathy Lemke and brothers, Billy Lemke and Troy Lemke; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who loved her deeply.

As a child, Tracey completed jazz and ballet classes which fueled her passion for the Arts. She was extremely creative and artistic. She had a deep love for music and dance and was an accomplished dancer from an early age. Her love for music and dance stayed with her throughout her life. Living up to her namesake; her great-grandmother Theresia which translates to “Huntress.” She was a strong, self-confident, fearless and adventurous spirit always seeking out new challenges and experiences.

As Tracey grew up, she matured into a vibrant young lady with a passion for style and beauty. She pursued this passion by completing high school with a diploma in cosmetology. Her talent and creativity in this field were evident to all who knew her and she became known as the go-to person for hair and makeup advice.

As the oldest of four siblings, Tracey took on the responsibility of helping to care for her younger brothers and sister. She became like a second mother to them nurturing a natural love for children that would eventually lead her to become a mother of three of her own. Tracy landed a position at Scotiabank working alongside her mother for 3 years allowing her to contribute to her own family’s financial well-being.

Tracey was a devoted mother and her family was the center of her world. She was a fiercely independent and adventurous woman who always pursued her passions with determination and enthusiasm. Her love for learning led to her recent return to college to upgrade. This was a precursor for an addictions/ outreach worker diploma program that she’s so desperately wanted to achieve.

This decision would eventually lead Tracey down a path of empathy for those who were struggling in life through her involvement with the transient homeless and addicted community. Tracey was a source of unwavering support to the less fortunate, those often forgotten by society. In them, she saw their humanity and their worth. She was always ready to lend an ear and be a friend to the lost souls she encountered and lived amongst. I’m sure her impact on their lives is immeasurable .

While Tracey’s choices at times were difficult for her family to accept, they loved and respected her deeply for the person she was. Her kindness generosity and unwavering spirit will be deeply missed by her family and friends as well as by the countless individuals whose lives she touched.

One of Tracey’s most notable traits was her sense of humor. She had a gift for laughter that was sometimes poorly timed but always infectious. Her laughter could brighten the darkest of days and bring joy to everyone around her. Tracey’s infectious laughter and sense of humor will be remembered by all who knew her. She was a devoted mother and grandmother and she will be deeply missed all who knew her.

A Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – California Blvd Chapel (7017 California Boulevard NE, Calgary) on Friday, April 28, 2023 at 12:00pm with visitation available from 11:00am.

Graveside Service will take place at Rocky View Garden of Peace Cemetery (243208 Garden Road, Calgary).