In Loving Memory of
Daphne Daniels
April 13, 1934 – Jan 14, 2023
Memorial Service
Friday, January 20, 2023
Hainstock’s Funeral Home
Edmonton, Alberta
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Obituary of Daphne Daniels
Daphne Daniels was born in Saldanha Bay, South Africa on April 13, 1934, to Betty and Tom Daniels and passed January 14, 2023, at Edmonton, Alberta. She was predeceased by her parents and four siblings, Leonard, Olga, Clifford and Adolf. When Daphne was a small child, she required surgery which necessitated the family moving to Cape Town where Daphne’s father obtained work on a fishing boat. When Daphne was nine years old, her father lost his life in a storm while out fishing. Difficult years followed for Daphne’s mother Betty with 5 children to care for. When Daphne’s paternal grandparents extended an invitation to come and live with them; her mother accepted the invitation. They grew up there with many happy memories; without excess but well cared for. While there something changed their lives in many ways. Daphne’s mother learned to love and appreciate the faith that her in-laws loved. When Daphne was about 20 years old, she chose this faith for herself and has kept true to that choice.
Daphne chose to take a nursing program; another choice that brought her much enjoyment and a profession she would excel at. After graduating she worked for 3 ½ years in South Africa. She then moved to England where she worked at a London hospital in an operating room. She eventually became a nursing supervisor at this hospital. While in her earlier training she had read an article on international nursing. Someone asked her if she had ever thought of going to Canada. The thought of going to Canada stayed in her mind.
In January 1962 she left Liverpool, England by boat for Canada, arrived in St John, NB and journeyed on to Toronto. There she continued her nursing profession at the Sick Children’s Hospital working and teaching pediatric nursing. During this time, she wrote an entrance examination for admission to the Public Health Nursing degree program at McGill University in Montreal. She received honors which afforded her a bursary for $1200 from the Ontario Government to complete her degree program, which she did. Following completion of this degree, Daphne worked in the public health field in Dryden, Ontario and Vermilion and Bonnyville, Alberta. The next step was for Daphne to go on and complete a master’s degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Alberta, Edmonton. Daphne’s thesis for this degree focused on ambulance care in Alberta. Daphne worked for 2 years for the Alberta provincial government making recommendations for improvements to the ambulance service. Following this she became the Director of Nursing at Norwood Continuing Care Centre and finally Director of Nursing at Allen Gray Hospital.
Daphne leaves many relatives and friends in South Africa and Canada. She loved her visits back to her homeland and was eagerly anticipating a return trip scheduled at the time of her passing. She loved and appreciated the friends she met with at the Sunday and Wednesday fellowship gatherings. These were important highlights of her week. She had a deep living faith in God and in the Bible teachings. Special thanks go to her friends for their love and constant care for her. There were many trips for appointments and errands that her kind neighbor Adeline Neampu was the chauffeur for. Dr John and Audrey Guthrie were a constant support; John was the ‘computer and technical support’. This support of kind friends enabled her to enjoy independent living these last few years. Daphne spent many hours of enjoyment knitting and cooking. She loved to find healthy recipes. Her kindness, humour, and loyal friendship will be missed.
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Daphne was my first employer in nursing as a young student nurse way back in 1984 at the Allen Grey, my first placement in nursing as I worked in the evenings while going to school at Grant MacEwan Community College. When we returned back from Saskatchewan in 1997, she welcomed me back as one of the evening RNs again at the Allen Gray. Trevor would bring out two young children to visit me at supper time. There was no favours to me but I always respected her as a boss as well as an upright, Godly lady! I did not know of her upbringing..sad to say as I could have learned more from her. Rest in peace Daphne
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Our family’s friendship with Daphne began in 1968 when she moved to Montreal where we were living at that time. Dad & Mom befriended our new friend and Daphne spent many weekends at our home where us boys soon loved Daphne as our good friend too & we have many warm, fun, memories of time spent with Daphne. We were excited when Daphne moved west and we continued our friendship. We appreciated Daphne’s care & love in keeping in touch with Mom even in this last year. We thank God for her Godly, safe, encouraging influence on our lives all thru the years.
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Like Harold Hartin, I also had the privilege of boarding in the same home with her in Toronto, Ontario in the late 1960’s. She was always a very professional lady. My condolences to her family and friends.
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Daphne was our nurse when James was born. She came to the house regularly and was always so cheerful and was so competent. We are thankful for her faithfulness right to the end.
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Daphne was a good example of a child of God. I had the privilege of boarding in the same home with her in Toronto, Ontario in the late 1960’s. Many years went by and we met again at Didsbury Alberta convention several years ago-same wonderful Daphne! She worked long and hard in serving others but above and beyond that she served the God of Heaven whole heartedly. Friends Harold and Linda Hartin.
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We were so excited to see our aunt on her visit to Cape Town. Thank you so much for a beautiful send off for a beautiful person. She was so loved by many and will be missed.
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Daphne was a faithful friend. “How blest are they that love the Lord, their Father and their friend”. (Hymn 248) God was Daphne’s very best friend and we could say “Daphne was a friend of God”. She left us a sweet influence.
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She was such a good freind to mom and dad. I remember her so well being around all the time when I was young. She was so happy to see me at my first convention a couple of years ago. I will miss her.
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It was so good to hear more of Daphne’s faithful life while visiting with Richard & Marg. A life well lived.
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I have good memories of Daphne during her Toronto days.
Please accept my condolences to all families.
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Will always remember her cheerfulness and stories.
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There is so much value to a well lived life and a safe and a wonderful godly ending makes it perfect!! Your soul is in a better place. Our love Sam & Linda Third
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She spent time with us while living in Parow East we took her to the craft market in Edgemead which she enjoy.We also joined the group of family she visited here in Kensington 5th Ave on a few occasions which was fun getting to meet all the other family.Was looking forward to seeing her again.But God had his own plan for her.She will be sorely missed . MHDSRIP.Colleen married to Leonard’s son Neil Daniels.
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What a privilege it was to know Dear Daphne. Her spirit and demeanour were outstanding and her love for the Truth evident in her service and life. Sometimes we don’t know someone so we’ll, but with Daphne she exuded compassion and a love for life that spoke volumes. Till we meet again….Dear Daphne.
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What a dear friend Daphne has been to me for so many years. I miss her already! She was like a sister to me in every way. Thank you for your life and love my dear friend. I will miss you.
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Alan and Annemarie Blonke
Friends. January 18 /. 2023
We appreciated Daphne very, very much. We had the privilege of going to the same. Mtg. , both Sunday and Wednesday. Then recently she was moved to another Sunday morning Mtg. But we were glad she still came to the same Wednesday Mtg. She always had bread for the Mtg. She always spoke of her own need, and the need of being faithful until the end. Her part in. Mtg. was short and
edifying. We will feel the emptiness of her chair. Her end came
quickly. We are glad she didn’t have to suffer. She was loved by
many, many people.
We are glad she is at rest now. We will miss her, but wouldn’t want to wish her back. She is safe in God’s keeping
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Daphne what a great lady and friend .Thanks for the great times we shared . You will be missed by all.
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I learned so much from Daphne in my early days of my career when I was a young DON. She was the first person I learned budgeting as it was never taught in the nursing programs. She was my mentor, a great friend and a colleague. She will be deeply missed.
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I always check this site to see if there are any of our friends listed, and I usually can tell by the picture even if I do not know the name or face. It seems God has
plans we cannot understand with our human mind and reasoning, and all the events that led up to this dear lady finding Truth touches my heart. Sorrow and Joy interwoven, not the other way around at times. Thank you for virtual memorial gatherings..
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Daphne was so so good to me when I was a young girl working and living away from home. She made us a lovely meal one time that we thoroughly enjoyed! Loved our times of fellowship together on Sundays in the Propp home.
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Daphne – a great example in nursing, hospitality, and serving God. Enjoyed her friendship over the years.