Skip to content

Della Loreen FENNESSY (Nee Mallard)

June 12, 2015

In the early morning hours of June 12, Della left this troubled world, with her family by her side, to join her mother, father, and brother Wallace.

Della was born to Charles and Gertrude Mallard, October 11th, 1934 in Wainwright, AB. The family moved to Cranbrook in 1941, purchased the Pat Quirk Ranch, south of Fort Steele on the Fort Steele/Bull River Road. Della attended grade school in Fort Steele and rode her horse to Sunday school in Fort Steele. Later she attended Cranbrook Central School and Mount Baker High School (by school bus driver Mr. Fox of Fort Steele). Entering the working world, Della worked at the McKim School in Kimberley under Principal Mr. John Lukas. Della then moved to Trail, B.C. to attend business college, after which she worked for Cominco (C.M&S.). She then moved back to Cranbrook to work for the Motor Carrier Branch with Mr. Don Neale of the Provincial Government. Della worked for the Cranbrook School Board at Mount Baker High School, retiring in 1987 and then worked for Skip on the Cranbrook and District Key City Chronicles, typing day and night.

Della met the love of her life, Marvin Skip Fennessy at a Jaffray dance in 1956. They were married June 28, 1958, and enjoyed almost 57 years together. They adopted a son, Colin Timothy Fennessy in 1963 and a daughter in 1966.

Della is survived by her loving husband Skip, son Tim and his partner Debbie Vey, brother Don Mallard and his wife Norah and their sons, Jess & partner Darcy, Jason, wife Linea, Jordan, wife Roxann, Tim’s daughter Paulina, brother Pat Fennessy & his family, Brenda (Dan Jmaeff), Karen (Stephen Fountaine), Kalvaleen Fennessy, son Kevin (Lori) Fennessy.

The family thanks the staff in the Alzheimer Unit of the F.W. Green Home for the special care given Della. A special thank you to Dr. David Lenz for the wonderful care given Della in past years.

A Celebration of her life will take place at the Eagles Hall, Friday, June 19th, from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donation in memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of B.C., 300-828th Ave., West Vancouver, B.C., V5Z 9Z9.

Della’s ashes will be laid to rest in the Fort Steele Cemetery at a later date.



Your condolences will be approved within one business day. You will need a valid Facebook account. Please email us if you have any questions.