LEE ANNE TIBBLES - May 31, 1961 - Oct. 9, 2023.
Lee Anne passed away on Oct. 9, 2023, at the age of 62 in Calgary, Alta., with family by her side. She was predeceased by her parents, Marilyn Mabel Tibbles and Ralph Ernest Tibbles. Lee Anne will be dearly missed by her husband, Curtis Olson; as well as her children, Celine Wadhera (Aaron Shapland), Lisa Olson (Chris Chernuska) and Whitney Rippel (Richard Marquardt); and her grandson, Grayson Marquardt. She will also be mourned by her brothers, Thomas (Adrienne) and Anthony (Michele); and her nephews and nieces, Pearce, Alana, Evan and Megan. Lee Anne will be grieved by her colleagues and friends at the University of Calgary and Foothills Hospital, where she was working as a clinician scientist, nephrologist and associate professor.
Having been instrumental in the development of the Southern Alberta Transplant Program, Lee Anne served as its medical director for several years, advocating for stronger organ donation and transplantation policies and contributing to a national transplant strategy. Through her research, Lee Anne also made substantial contributions to the body of knowledge about kidney transplant loss due to BK virus.
Providing unwavering support to her family, friends and colleagues, Lee Anne was so many things to so many people – a proud mother, a devoted doctor, a trusting friend, a determined changemaker. Throughout her life, Lee Anne refused to accept the status quo when she believed better was possible – and she was unafraid to fight for what she felt was right, often rallying communities of allies as she did.
Lee Anne's family has kindly requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her honour to the Kidney Foundation of Canada.