What began as a routine Friday night on June 7, 2024, quickly turned into a life-threatening emergency for longtime Cochrane resident Nasrin Lipy.
After settling in for the night in preparation for an early shift at the Texas Gate Bar & Grill, Lipy awoke in the early hours of June 8 with severe chest pain. Alarmed, she called her son, Shubir Shaikh, who sent an ambulance.
“Her heart had already started shutting down, and she was treated for that in the ambulance,” said Samia Shaikh, Lipy’s daughter.
Diagnosed with a myocardial infarction-- a heart attack-- Lipy was rushed to Foothills Medical Centre, where doctors performed an emergency double bypass surgery that saved her life.
Despite the severity of the situation, Lipy’s first concern was her job.
“We called her employer and explained what happened,” said Shubir. “They were very understanding. But even in that moment, all she could think about was getting the keys to the Texas Gate because she was supposed to open the restaurant that morning.”
That deep sense of responsibility has defined Lipy’s more than 20 years of service to the local business, the same one she joined shortly after moving to Cochrane in 2003.
Lipy immigrated to Canada from Bangladesh in 1997 with her husband and two sons, first settling in Winnipeg. The family later moved to Vancouver, where their daughter Samia was born, before deciding on Cochrane.
“Moving to Cochrane was a family decision,” Lipy said. “We wanted a place that offered good opportunities and a better life for our children.”
She immediately appreciated the slower pace of life and the town’s walkability.
“Everything was close,” she said. “I could walk to the doctor’s office, to work, and anywhere else I needed to go. I didn’t need a car, and that’s something I loved about this town.”
Initially a full-time homemaker, Lipy entered the workforce after meeting John and Marlene Ursalak, the then-owners of the Rockyview Hotel and Texas Gate Bar & Grill. They offered her a job in housekeeping and baking. She later worked at Bethany Care Centre as well.
“We didn’t know anyone when we first moved here,” she said. “But I was blessed to meet people who helped me find work and volunteer opportunities.”
The family settled in Glenbow, where they still own a home. A neighbour helped Lipy apply for jobs, and soon she was immersed in the community.
Though she faced language barriers, Lipy took it upon herself to learn conversational English on the job and through volunteering, including two years at Cochrane Home Treasures.
“I wanted to learn more about the community and work through my language challenges so I could support my kids—especially when it came to speaking with their teachers,” she said.
She also wanted to be a positive example of a Bangladeshi woman contributing to her community as one of the first South Asian families in town.
As Mother's Day quietly passed, Lipy’s story offers a timely reminder of the quiet strength and resilience carried by so many women every day—at work, at home and in their communities.
“Even on the most challenging days, my mother shows up—not just for her job, but for the people who rely on her,” said Shubir. “She meets every responsibility with dedication. She’s our greatest inspiration.”
Lipy now lives in Calgary with Shubir and Samia. Her surgery resulted in a minor stroke that affected her cerebellum, leading to ongoing issues with balance and coordination.
“There are times when she’s off balance,” said Samia. “So we make sure someone is always with her.”
She still visits Cochrane regularly to see Shaifar, who now has a family of his own. But because of her health, Lipy has not been able to return to work.
“I miss my job,” she said. “Sometimes I wake up with the urge to go to work, but I know I can’t do the same things anymore. I miss being part of the community.”
Despite the setbacks, Lipy continues to focus on her recovery—exercising regularly and holding onto hope that one day, she’ll be back in the town she loves, and that loves her back.
