Obituary of Sylvia Balla

Sylvia Balla

July 19, 1933 ~ July 17, 2026

Sylvia was born on July 19, 1933, in Big Valley, Alberta, to proud parents John and Annie Skwarok. She was raised in Big Valley alongside her older sister, Mary, who was six years her senior. Sylvia attended school in Big Valley and later worked at the local Royal Bank.

It was in Big Valley that Sylvia met Thomas Balla. Thomas came to the Skwarok home looking for a woman he had heard took in washing, not realizing he had already passed the house a block earlier. That chance meeting proved to be a fortunate one, as Thomas was soon taken with Sylvia. He worked at the Big Valley Hotel, and their acquaintance quickly grew into something special.

After a whirlwind romance of three or four months, Sylvia and Thomas were married in September 1953. One year later, in 1954, they welcomed their first son, Melvin. The young family moved to a farm just outside Big Valley, and five years later they were blessed with another son, Terry. While living on the turkey farm near Erskine, Sylvia devoted herself to raising her boys, managing their household without many modern conveniences, including running water. She worked hard, boiling water for laundry, dishes, and bathing the children in metal wash tubs. Sylvia loved being a mother and cherished her family deeply. Two years later, their daughter, Carol Anne, was born. Carol Anne loved following her brothers wherever they went, and Sylvia was often there to rescue her when the boys decided they had enough of her tagging along. When the family moved to Crossfield, they lived on a chicken farm and Sylvia worked alongside Thomas, helping with chores and caring for the children. Once the children started school, they enjoyed a well-deserved break. She and Thomas treasured their years on that farm.

In 1966, Sylvia’s father passed away, and her mother remained in her home in Big Valley for many years. Soon after, Thomas accepted a position at the General Hospital in Calgary, and in 1968 the family moved to Airdrie. Sylvia found work at the little corner store, a job she enjoyed because she loved visiting with people and could walk to work. Walking became one of her favourite forms of exercise. In 1970, the family moved to Calgary.

In November 1970, tragedy struck when Sylvia and Thomas’s son Terry was hit by a car and passed away at the age of eleven. It was a heartbreaking time for the family. In the spring of 1971, the family moved across the city where they were closer to Sylvia’s sister and enjoyed visiting often. Although they spent several more years in the city, Sylvia and Thomas longed for a quieter life and in 1975 returned to Big Valley to be nearer to her mother; Thomas found work in Stettler; Sylvia worked at Robinson’s store until it closed; she and Thomas also took on cleaning jobs to help support the family.

Sylvia experienced another deep loss in 1985 with the passing of her mother. She kept herself busy tending her garden, canning, and freezing vegetables. In 1993, at the age of sixty, she took early pension but continued to enjoy gardening and walking for many years. Sylvia and Thomas enjoyed camping and fishing during the summer months, and they made a habit of going for coffee almost daily, to visit and catch up with friends.

In 2007, son Melvin passed away at the age of fifty-three. Having lost both sons, Sylvia carried her memories of them with deep love. She and Thomas remained in their home until Thomas passed away in 2015. Sylvia continued to live in her own home with her beloved dog for two more years, until his passing. In 2017, she sold her home and moved into Willow Creek Lodge, where Carol Anne worked and was able to visit her regularly.

Sylvia spent happy years at Willow Creek Lodge, where she enjoyed the company of old and new friends. She especially enjoyed the activities, with bingo being a favourite. Sylvia appreciated the friendships she made and the kindness of the staff. On July 7, 2026, Sylvia suffered a heart attack and, sadly, didn’t recovered. She passed away peacefully on July 17, 2026, just two days shy of her 93^rd birthday.

To mourn her passing Sylvia leaves her devoted daughter Carol Anne Balla (Al Somerville); as well as nieces, a nephew, other family and many dear friends.

Sylvia is pre-deceased by her husband Thomas Balla; sons Melvin Balla and Terry Balla.

Funeral Mass

Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM

Christ-King Catholic Church, Stettler, Alberta

Memorial donations in Sylvia’s name are gratefully accepted to the Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation, 5241 Calgary Trail NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T6H 5G8. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium.