Carol passed away peacefully after a brief stay at the Foothills Country Hospice in Okotoks, AB.
Carol loved her family, friends, animals, music and a sense of fair play. She was born to Murray and Helen Christie in Calgary and lived on the Old Banff Coach Road where she rode horseback to West Calgary School. She graduated from Western Canada High School where she excelled in athletics: volleyball, basketball, track & field plus cheerleading. Carol was an excellent horseman competing in barrel racing in the late 1950's and early 1960's.
Winston Bruce came into Carol's life. They married in 1963 and had two children, Christie and Laurence. Carol accompanied Winston with the family when he rodeoed professionally all over North America.
Together, Carol and Winston ran a Saddle Bronc Riding School outside of Calgary in the Bow River Valley. Winston churned out champions and Carol helped with the stock, cooked for and encouraged the students. After their divorce, Carol excelled at the task of single parenthood. She successfully managed the family Ranch, continuing to be sure that there was a place for everything and everything was in its place. She passed on to her children the ability to endure and conquer any challenges that they may face in life. Carol could fix most everything; carpentry, electrical, mechanical. She was one of the few people who had a well-stocked, organized work bench in the basement of her condo.
Carol then married Hal Sears. While living in the Nanton area, Carol built 200 Bluebird houses one winter and attached them to fences as part of the Bluebird Trail initiative in Alberta. Carol was an expert rider with many equine talents including the ability to school cranky horses and doctor lame or sickly horses.
In 1995 during a vacation to California, Carol met Dubbo Turner, a leading horse trainer from Queensland, Australia, who was in Indio "tuning up" polo ponies. It was a match made in heaven. He brought out the BEST in her. Their relationship was magical and their love for one another was pure. Dubbo adored Carol and she was a perfect partner for him in life and in his equine training activities. Carol and Dubbo made 18 trips back and forth to Australia, each one a unique adventure.
Warwick Australia was her home away from home just as Calgary was to Dubbo. She held the memories and friends made there close to her heart. Dubbo asked Carol to do one thing for him in her last days. He said, "Carol, when you go, be looking over your shoulder for me. I will be following you and it won't be long. Find us a good herd of horses and we'll work on them together when I get there."
Carol is survived by her mother, Helen Christie, daughter Christie Bruce, son Laurence Bruce and grandchildren Zoe Todd, Alexandra and Josh Bruce, Callum and Derek Sears, brothers-in-law Duane and Clayton Bruce and nieces and nephews. Carol was predeceased by her father Murray, sister Donna (Morris) Palmer and brother Gordon (Trinda) Christie.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Foothills Country Hospice online, or at P.O. Box 274 Okotoks, AB, T1S-1A5.
Very special thanks to the staff of the Hospice for their support, care and compassion. The family would like to welcome everyone to her Celebration of Life which will they will host in the Saddleroom of The Ranchmans on Sunday December 21 from noon till 4:00. A light lunch will be served. 9615 Macleod Trail S, Calgary, Alberta. Published by Western Wheel from Dec. 23 to Dec. 24, 2014.