Selene Marie Zuke nee Tremblay, 49, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on May 8, 2023 in Calgary. Her family and loved ones are so deeply saddened by the loss of their beloved “Bean” and know that her life and love reached out far and wide and many will mourn this loss.
She is survived and lovingly remembered by: husband Ron Zuke of Airdrie, AB; Furbaby and love of her life, her Morkie, Marley; parents Doug and Shirley Mair of Edmonton, AB; brother Ray (Charmen) Tremblay of Algrove, SK; brother James (Jennifer) Mair of Sherwood Park, AB; brother Scott Mair of Edmonton, AB; sister Jacquelyn Tremblay Kistenberg of Atlanta, GA; sister Mickie (Wayne) Altenburg of Edmonton, AB; nieces and nephews: Denyé (Kurtis) Pegg, Nicole Tremblay (Carter Jones), Sarah Altenburg (Nick Carlson), Ryan Altenburg, Erin Kistenberg, Noah Kistenberg, Rebecca Grant, and Zenon Horobec; as well as great-nieces and nephew: Ariya, Mason, and Ciara Pegg.
Selene came into this world with a gregarious and fun loving spirit that endeared her to so many and because of those warm and genuine connections she also leaves to mourn numerous friends, colleagues, clients, and especially her tribe she affectionately referred to as Broads. Selene was predeceased by her father George Tremblay in 1999 and her Best Broad Kimba (Kim Lavack Ogilvie) in 2016.
Selene was born in Tisdale, SK on May 27,1973 and from a young age grew up in Edmonton, AB. The friends she made growing up in Millwoods know that mischievous spark and adventurous spirit better than most and she kept those friends throughout her life.
After graduating from J. Percy Page High School, she enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve and played saxophone in the military band. Selene was proudly committed to her service and further developed her strong work ethic that would shine through in her future career.
One thing to note about her time in the Armed Forces was that she willingly went to work every day with no makeup on! Following her service, she enrolled in beauty college and became a licensed Esthetician. Selene was truly gifted and had an incredible artistic flare and innate sense of style with the natural ability to create beautiful transformations through hair, makeup, and clothes since she was a child. Embracing those gifts and discovering her entrepreneurial spirit, she started her own business, and nothing could hold her back! Not long after, she was offered an opportunity at the Banff Springs Hotel, where she would become manager of the Aesthetics and Salon division of the Willow Stream Spa. After moving to Calgary a few years later, Selene became a business owner once again.
In 2007, she joined Summit Salon Services as Spa Director where she started the new division from scratch and led the division until 2017. Never one to shy away from a new challenge, she became Luxury Brand Manager and led growth once again earning the award for Luxury Brand Manager of The Year in 2019. This award was something she felt proud and honoured to receive, as she had reinvented herself moving from Spa to Salon Sales. She truly loved her work and, most especially, the relationships she forged with her peers, clients, and Salon Partners. She was a Rockstar!! No matter the point in her career, Selene was the consummate pro and her clients appreciated her passion and dedication to always go the extra mile. She left Summit last year when her health didn’t allow her to be on the road as much as she had been over the past 15 years.
Selene’s eye for beauty and form did not end with hair, makeup, and clothes. She could look at literally anything and know what it needed to bring it into scale and balance. If you were ever a guest in her home, you saw her aesthetic evident in the beautifully warm and harmonious environment she created. She lived in and loved the mountains, but her favorite place to be was on a warm, tropical beach. So what does a girl do if she can’t get to the beach? Of course, she brought the tropics to her own home by turning her back deck into Selena’s Cantina; a breezy, private outdoor retreat with billowing curtains and pops of turquoise reminiscent of the Caribbean waters she loved so much.
Selene was a force of great life and joy that left a lasting impression on so many people whether it was a brief meeting or a long friendship. She was charming, generous, sensitive, feisty, and so hilarious – there is no one who doesn’t carry a great Selene story to keep them company in her passing. She spread her magic Selene dust everywhere she went and we will forever miss her wicked sense of humour and her beautiful shining smile.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Selene later this year.
4 Comments
I had the pleasure of having Selene as my Manager at Solace Spa at the Banff Springs Hotel, what feels like a lifetime ago. She took me under her wing. I was far from home. I have so many fun, crazy memories of her and I am sadden to hear of her passing. I hope her family can find peace in remembering her laughter. Rest in peace Broad. xoxo
inbound7385477964565428085
Ron,Ii am deeply saddened for your loss. Please know you can reach out anytime you feel the need
I’m devastated to read of Selene’s passing. We had some good times growing up and I will treasure those memories. Selene was a good sister to me. Shirley, Dad and family I’m sincerely saddened for your loss.
James
I haven’t seen Selene since high school but for some reason which I believe was God she came to my mind 2 days ago. On a delivery to Grande Prairie I stopped at a random store I’ve never stopped at before. I ran into an old friend from high school who shared the terrible news. I’m so sorry, my condolences to all her loved one’s. May she RIP.