- British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935 -
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Dorothy May Haney
Dorothy May Haney, better known as Dodie, resident of Dawson Creek and former resident of Prince George and Vancouver. She passed away in the Dawson Creek Hospital at the age of 50 years old.
Dodie was born in North Vancouver BC. to Myrle and Geraldine McCormack. She was the second oldest of five children.
Dodie went back to school and received a bachelor’s degree as a social worker and also cared for many foster children over the years. Dodie was a very good painter and loved to do ceramics, arts, crafts, and do renovations and painting in her home. She liked to go camping, fishing, swimming, and really enjoyed watching her children play sports. Dodie attended tops for four or five years and made many lasting friendships.
Dodie was predeceased by her father Myrle McCormack in May 1995, and Brent’s mother Ella Haney in 2001.
Dodie will be sadly missed but strongly remembered by her husband Brent Haney of 27 years, son Dalton, daughter Shaylyn, brothers, sisters, several foster children, as well as Brent’s father Warren Haney, brothers, sisters, many friends, aunts, uncles and cousins.
A memorial service was held on Thursday, February 24, 2011 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, officiated by Pastor Andy Carveth.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Dodie, may be made by donation to the ‘British Columbia Children’s Hospital’ 4480 – Oak Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3V4.
Mary Lucy Sheffield
1914 – 2011
Mary Lucy Artemenko was Born July 30, 1914 in Ardill Saskatchewan. She was the 5th of 8 siblings, born to Jack and Dorothy Artemenko.
Mary moved to Fort St. John, BC with her family in 1930 at the age of 16. She worked as a house keeper for Mrs. Pickle, during this time she met the love of her life, Callie Sheffield. They married Jun 11, 1935 in Grande Prairie Alberta, in May 1940, daughter Colleen was born, son Len came along December 1943. In the winter of 1949 Callie moved his family to Whitehorse Yukon. It was over 50 below at the time. Mary worked in the hotel business until her retirement in 1989. In 1985 Callie and Mary celebrated their 50th anniversary with family and friends. Five short years later in 1990 Callie passed away. Mary stayed in Whitehorse but in 1992 moved to Dawson Creek to be with Colleen. Mary lived beside Colleen in her trailer until 2006. She then resided at Peace River Haven in Pouce Coupe until she passed away on February 25, 2011 at the age of 96.
Mary liked to spend time at the cabin at Fox Lake, where airplanes would fly low over the lake tip their wings to see her flowers on the hill side. Mary enjoyed gardening, sewing, travelling (especially by train), baking, cooking. Mary was known for her great cooking at Christmas time she would cook Christmas dinner for the people at the hotel that had no place to go. Mary had a big and loving heart.
A great favorite with the grandchildren was her grape cool-aide, no one could make it like grandma. Mary loved her budgie bird when Callie became allergic to the bird it was a tossup who would go the bird or Callie, Callie got to stay!
Mary is predeceased by her: mother Dorothy, father Jack, husband Callie; three brothers Mike, John, and Bill; three sisters Adna, Lori, and Lee.
Mary will always be remembered by her: brother Harley; daughter Colleen Hiebert; and son Len (Corey) Sheffield. Mary’s grandchildren: Brenda (Duwane) Lukey, Kathy (Terry) Irvine, Abram Hiebert, Tracy (Steve) Schramek, Chance (Joyce), Ty (Cheryl), Robin and Chase Sheffield.
Great-grandchildren: Tammy (Brian), Colden, and Derek Lukey, Trey and Bowen Irvine, Amanda (Cody) Lukac, Jordan Hommey, Jacey and Kale Hiebert, Ashley Volpatti and Shawn Schramek. Great great-grandchildren: Teanna Lukey-Schwartz, Brianna McDonald, and Paisley Lukac and many nieces and nephews.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in memory of Mary by way of donation to the Peace River Haven, P.O. Box 166, Pouce Coupe, BC V0C 2C0.
A private family prayer service was held on Thursday, March 3, 2011 at Bergeron Funeral Chapel and as Mary’s request the family went out for Chinese food following the service.
Mary was cremated and her urn will be interred at a later date in the Whitehorse community cemetery.
Howard Wayne French
Howard Wayne French was born in Lethbridge, Alberta, July 1, 1938. He was the second son born to Leonard William French and Barbara Dorothy Reid.
Wayne was predeceased by his parents and his brother Gordon. Wayne grew up around the McGrath area of Alberta.
At 15, Wayne’s Mother moved to BC leaving him herding sheep for room and board. At 17 his buddy Bryan Crookston and Wayne decided to ride the freight trains going throughout southern Ontario and into the Buffalo area of New York.
Wayne looked back on that experience as some of the best times of his life, although they missed many meals and had to work for the ones they did get. Wayne returned to Alberta and drove truck delivering sugar beets to the sugar factory and asphalt in southern Alberta. He enlisted in the Air Force for 3 years and decided not to reenlist as he found it too regimented and besides they didn’t ask him to stay. Wayne moved to BC and worked on Vancouver Island for the Forest Service. There Wayne met his first wife Fran and they were married on Oct 24, 1964. They had two daughters, Corrina born Feb 8, 1966 and Susan born May 27, 1968. They moved to the Chilliwack area where Wayne worked for Cattermole Timber running heavy equipment building roads. Wayne and Fran divorced and Wayne would say later that he should not have married the bosses’ daughter.
In 1971, Wayne met Glenda and they married on Sept 2, 1972.
Wayne took on the role of stepfather to Kevin and would tease Glenda that he married her because Kevin would make him a good son. Leonard was born Dec 9, 1973 and Richard followed April 11,1975.The family moved to Chetwynd in Aug 1975 and Wayne started work for for his brother-in-law falling. Over the years he worked for Lorne Dalke, Jim Westgate, Pat Houde and Kevin Steward to name a few. He also worked on forest fires around Chetwynd and had numerous stories to tell. Some of his favorites were the jokes Ron Bremner and himself played on fellow fire fighters.Wayne looked forward to retiring at 65 enjoying his yard work and the garden. Retirement did not come easy as he was restless and bored and after a year and a half he went back to work part time.He worked part time for Brian Roberts, Maple Leaf Loading at the Coal Mine and for Enersul removing the sulphur block. He finally retired permanently in the spring of 2010.Wayne had a triple aneurysm operation in January of 2010 in Edmonton and his recovery was slow and he lacked energy. He was diagnosed with cancer at the end of October 2010 and lost his battle on Feb 18, 2011.He lived his life simply and loved his wife of 39 years, 5 children and 11 grandchildren. He took and gave much enjoyment. Like any marriage there were enough speed bumps along the way to make it interesting and to build character. Boy, some of us sure received a lot of character. Wayne enjoyed fishing, camping and gardening. One of his favorite things was to share a meal and play canasta with Wanda and Dale Tremblay and Renda and Sig Shreve. Wanda and Glenda would tease Wayne and Dale about acting like Waldorf and Statler, the two old men in the balcony on the Muppets. Wayne was Statler and Dale was Waldorf.Wayne loved his quiet talks with the grand children, riding the lawnmower with one on them on his lap or checking the peas in his garden. Later when his health got poor he would sit and play cards. He shared their fun times and took pride in their accomplishments.
He often told Glenda that he was very proud of his children and grand children and it made him a content man. Life was good.
Wayne is survived by his loving wife Glenda ( or as he called her Ruthie) Son Kevin (partner Jenny Viloria) grandchildren Jesse, Chelsee,Sierra and Hunter
Daughter Corrina (partner John Weber) grandson Austin Daughter Susan (partner Dave Spencer) grandchildren Mitchell and Anya Son Leonard ( wife Melissa) grandchildren Jamie and Georgia Son Richard (wife Maryann) grandchildren Denise and Hanna
Wayne will be fondly remembered as a husband, father, grandfather and a good friend to many who passed his way.
Robert James Brodie
1937-2011
Bob was born In Ft. McMurray, A.B. 1937 to parents Lloyd and Gladys Brodie. He had fond memories of growing up with his sisters and brother. Bob excelled at music and even played in a big band. He was an active lifeguard and enjoyed bowling. He completed a radio technician license in Edmonton. Bob and Louise married in 1960 in Ontario and soon after made the journey North West. He was employed with CN and was part of improving communications to the North. As his family grew they lived in Twelve-O-Two, Muncho Lake and Toad River before coming to Fort Nelson. Bob worked for CN until 1976, where he became self -employed until 2009. Bob was a long standing Elks member and Mason. Bob was an avid curler for many years, a camping guru and a passionate golfer. He spent endless hours at the golf course or any course he could find. Bob moved to Fort Saint John at the end of 2009 due to failing health and to be closer to family. Bob and Louise were married for 50 years and he re- joined her on February 13th 2011. Bob leaves behind his sisters Joanne and Dianne, his brother Grant, his daughters Cindy (Gary), Carolyn (Ted), and his son Jim (Lana), seven grandchildren and three great-grand children.
Good or bad your spirit lives on.
(Grandchildren names) Blaine, Shellene, Kim, Todd, Nicole, Bryan and Venessa. (Great grandchildren) Taya, Avery and Blake.
An ash scattering will be held at Muncho Lake, Saturday June 4th 2011 at 3:oopm potluck to follow. More details will be placed in the Fort Nelson paper May 11th 2011.
Isabella Milda (Liddell) Milburn
Isabella a long time resident of Bonanza, Alberta passed away peacefully in her sleep with her daughters by her side, on February 11, 2011 at the age of 94.
Isabella was born August 3, 1916 in Elbow, Saskatchewan to William and Milda Liddell, was raised in the Cochrane, Alberta area, married and lived in the Bottrel, Dog Pound, and Madden areas and moved to the Peace River country in 1965.
Isabella was an avid gardener, loved her flowers and birds, was a wicked Scrabble player, enjoyed reading, writing, and crossword puzzles. She read the dictionary! There was no arguing with her over a word in Scrabble. She was a volunteer at the Savanna Fair for at least 30 years and took many, many red ribbons with her baking, canning and flowers and vegetables. This past summer, in her 94th year she still had entries in canning and baking and won a few more red ribbons. She truly enjoyed professional ice skating, and Spruce Meadows events, and was getting to know curling pretty well. She was a great fan of the British Royal Family.
Isabella is survived by her daughters Vicky McCartney (High River & Silver Valley), Jeanie (Roy) Bouck (Bonanza), Cheryl Ann (Len) Sydoruk (Rycroft), and Leslie (Rob) Bouck (Silver Valley). She was grandmother to nine grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. She was “proud of them, and loved them all – not always for the same reason!” She loved children – reading with them, playing with them, nurturing them, watching them grow!
She is also survived by her sisters, Jean Ryan (Delta, B.C.), Hazel Jordan (Cold Lake, Alberta), Laura (John) Wittchen ( Red Deer, Alberta), and brother Sandy Liddell (Calgary, Alberta); sister-in-laws, Helen Liddell (Blairmore, Alberta) and Helen Liddell (Cremona, Alberta) . She leaves behind many nieces and nephews whom she was able to see and visit with at the family reunion in July, 2010, and special friends Alma and Kim, and two very special girls in her life, Faye and Bev Hallett.
Isabella was predeceased by her parents, husband Jack in 1977, two infant sons, an infant granddaughter, her brothers Bill and Don Liddell, her sisters Anna Cameron, Edith Liddell, and her son-in-law Bill McCartney.
Isabella lived in her own home, on the farm, with the help of her family, right up to five days before her passing. About her illness she said, “what will be will be”.
The family would like to express their thanks and deep appreciation to all the wonderful homecare nurses who looked after her, Dr. Phillips, and the nursing staff in the Palliative Care at the Central Peace Hospital in Spirit River, whose tenderness and compassion was so comforting to all of us. Thank you to the EMS for the compassion given to Mom when they transferred her from home to the hospital. Also thank you to Carolyn Smith for the prayers and blessings.
At Isabella’s request there will be no funeral service.
The family invites you to attend a “Strawberry Tea” in memory of Isabella on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the Savanna Rec Plex.
If friends so desire, memorial donations to the Palliative Care Room at the Central Peace Health Complex, Spirit River, Alberta would be a wonderful tribute to her life.
Hugh Bernard Conrad
1933 - 2011
How do we sum up a life? We share stories and memories, each of us with a different but unique version. Hugh left us all with a story or two, usually they ended with a smile.
He was born, Hugh Bernard Conrad March 27, 1933 to Barney and Louise in New Westminster British Columbia.
Hugh was ten years old when the family moved to Penhold Alberta, this is where Hugh would attend school. It was there in that schoolyard standing on the pitcher’s mound he would unleash a rare talent, that talent was playing ball. He could pitch a fastball like no other could for many miles around. Later in his life some old timers would slap him on the back saying “another time, another place Hughie and you would have been in the big leagues.”
In 1951 the Conrad’s headed to the Peace River country and Bear Canyon became their home. In 1954 Hugh’s life as a farmer began with the purchase of his homestead on the frosty 33. Hugh, his Dad, and brother Gordon cleared and broke the land through sweat and toil building it into the farms they have today.
During winter months through the earlier years the brothers would go to work in the logging and sawmill industries trying to make ends meet, of course returning to the farm when the spring work beckoned. Japanese truck to pick them up and take them to pick cucumbers, and with their wages they each bought, guess what … hats.
Hugh worked one summer for a local farmer, Carl Clay. This particular summer turned out to be a life altering summer for Hugh for it would be there he met his soul mate, the farmer’s daughter Shirley.
They had a whirlwind courtship, going to dances, hay rides, ballgames, picnics and such and they fell in love.
They wed in October 1956 farm life became family life when Darla arrived in 1957, Cindy in 1958 and Greg in 1963.
As the grain farm grew so did the cattle and all the work that went along with it. Hugh would often be found in the barnyard driving the farmhand, hauling pails of chop, or watering cattle just to name a few daily chores that needed be done. He worked tirelessly because he loved his life and the choices he made in it.
The farm became his life to some he shared growing advice, to others veterinary skills and we teased a “ Dear Hughie column” He offered encouragement,, inspiration and more often than not laughter, he sang a song or two, made a couple of double plays and an umpire who would roar … STRIKE THREE…YOU’RE OUT…Baseball was just one of Hughies passions he also enjoyed curling, golfing, fishing and even threw the odd ringer in horseshoes not mention the countless camping trips where so many memories were made.
Hughie believed the greatest gift in life was his family. He took the role of husband and father as his greatest reward and blessings for a life well lived.
Hugh was an honest hard working man who provided well for his family. He would use his callused hands to turn the soil, or rustle some cattle or pound some nails to make shelter for a friend and neighbour. With Hugh’s gentle manner he could comfort a grandchild who scraped their knee while learning to their bike by placing their little hand in his and dry their tears with hugs and love.
Gifts for Hugh were not of material possessions, rather they were things like being able to look in the eyes of his wife Shirley and to see comfort and contentment or to hear her quietly humming in the kitchen when she didn’t know he was watching. To be able to rest his head at night knowing he did the very best he could that day.
Hughie never liked a fuss to be made over him, as a matter of fact when discussing this celebration of life he only wanted whatever it was that would make things easier for his family. Hugh didn’t have a selfish bone in his body.
He could bring a calmness to a room just by entering it, he was a loyal and trusted friend, he was loved by many as is shown here today.
Hugh had the unique ability to entrust someone’s confidence within moments of meeting them, you could feel his integrity even before he spoke. He taught his children to live with compassion to walk the walk. To live by your word and to make decisions and not look back.
Hughie was an ideal example of someone going that extra mile, he believed in the golden rule of treating others as you expect to be treated, to love your neighbour as yourself, and to give of yourself without expectation of receiving something in return. It was in giving that Hughie received.
Though Hugh was vivacious, charismatic and the life of the party so to speak there was also a quiet private man who held a strong conviction for what he believed in and what he held close to his heart.
He strived to do his very best in the day. He loved the land secondly, the new growth and life it would bring and the freedom it would give of working until exhaustion.
One of the attractive things about Hughie was he never saw himself any better than anyone else, we were all equal within his eyes, with equal rights and equal opportunities. He was a gentle and caring man. When anyone went to him with a heaviness in their hearts, Hughie wouldn’t just listen to you and offer advice rather he would sit and hear every word you say and then offer compassion or understanding just as the prayer that was read earlier, He would comfort rather than to seek comfort for himself.
Hugh’s grandchildren often referred to him as their hero, when it is you who were his. He loved you all so very much he hoped and dreamed you would each reach your full potential in life.
Hugh got such joy from his little great granddaughters, he loved them all so dearly each one of them brought such a special gift to their Poppa.
This world is a better place because of Hugh, I believe we are better people because of knowing him.
Hugh was a son, a brother, a husband, an uncle, a Father, a Grandfather and Great Grandfather and of course a friend.
He was loved so much because he loved so much.
There was a phrase given to Hugh in the days before his passing which he took comfort in and knowing Hughie I’m sure he hoping today you too will too
…..Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened……
A Celebration of life service was held on February 16, 2011 at the Cherry Canyon Recreation Centre, Bear Canyon, Alberta.
John Stevenson officiated and Hugh’s nephew Terry Clay read his eulogy.
