Avis Joan Schelske

Avis Joan Schelske passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness on March 12th, 2026, in Medicine Hat, Alberta.  Avis was born on December 29th 1960 in Bassano, Alberta to Molly and Ephraim Schelske.  She was predeceased by both her parents and eldest sister, Jacquelyn.  Avis is survived by her partner, Tom Hochman; stepson, Ray-Al (Jesika) and little grandson, Arrow.  She is also survived by siblings, Marie of Edmonton, Sheila (Brian) of Matraville, NSW Australia, Cara of Beaumont, Phyllis (Ken) of Bassano, Bruce (Wendy) of Strathcona County, Betty (Arlene) of Medicine Hat, and John (Suzanne) of Calgary; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Avis completed her primary education at Bassano School then attended the University of Alberta where she studied Paleontology. The number of careers Avis had cannot be counted on 2 hands alone and each one was done with joy and memory making for her and her colleagues.  She started working as many teenage girls do by babysitting.  She worked at Bud’s Cafe in Bassano then Taco Time in Calgary.  She spent a summer working at the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller where she was cleaning a large turtle fossil for study followed by a few years at Dinosaur Provincial Park.  She was also the camp cook supporting a dig for fossils near Milk River.  She went on to work at the Bassano Times for a few years followed by Global Thermoelectric.  She and Tom then moved to Medicine Hat where she worked at Sears until it closed.

Avis was the youngest of 9 children and enjoyed referring to herself by her Borg designation Nine of Nine.  The sciences were a big part of her life and by any definition she was an amateur scientist.  She loved all things nature such as bird watching and feeding, she dabbled in astronomy with her dad’s telescope, but most of all she loved dinosaurs, fossil hunting and camping in the Badlands of Alberta.  Another thing that brought her joy was her cats.  Many of whom were adopted strays.  If you ever heard her sing her Tom Cat song she wrote, you would understand her passion.  It is a surprise to us it did not make the Billboard top 100.  There was nothing better than a big laugh from Avis.  Seeing her perform in a play put on by the Bassano Arts Council was funny and entertaining with some of her improvised theatrics.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 pm in the Bassano Community Hall on July 4, 2026.  All are welcome to attend.

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