- British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935 -
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BERNICE STEFANYK
1927 ~ 2011
Bernice was born September 16th, 1927 in a region of Poland which is part of the Ukraine today. At 4 months of age she, her 2 older brothers and her mother and father, Fred and Ahafia Yanishewski, decided to come to Canada. They settled in Blueberry Mountain, Alberta.
Bernice taught school at Blueberry Mountain and Bonanza. She was teaching school in Bonanza when she caught the eye of a young man doing some work at the school. In 1953 she married that young man, Mike Stefanyk (her soul mate, as she would often say) . Two sons were born to complete the family. Bob was born on September 28th, 1954 and Greg on July 20th, 1957. In the early 1970’s Bernice retired from teaching school to help Mike fulltime on the farm.
It was hard to get away for a summer holiday as many families do today but many weekends were spent at Moonshine Lake. Bernice had many fond memories of her nieces and nephews playing with her boys.
Bernice always provided for Mike and the boys. Whether it was Christmas or any other special occasion, no one would ever be hungry. He r door was open to friends and neighbors during seeding or harvest. The refrigerator was often raided after a barn loft hockey game.
Bernice also had an extended family by way of a foster child, “Rosa” in Central America. Bernice sponsored Rosa from a young child to a young woman.
Mike and Bernice retired from the farm in 1982 and moved to Dawson Creek to enjoy the grandchildren. They enjoyed their years together watching the family grow. Unfortunately, Mike’s health began to deteriorate and Bernice had to move him to a care home. That decision was very heartbreaking for her. Mike passed away in the spring of 1995.
Bernice continued to be a babysitter, house sitter and dog walker for the boys. It was not uncommon to see her walking from one end of town to the other.
She always believed in a good diet and physical fitness.
Bernice sold the house in Dawson Creek in 1997 and moved to Selwyn Place Apartments which would be her home
for the next 13 years.
Bernice suffered a stroke in November of 2010. After spending close to 6 months in the hospital, she moved to Rotary Manor which would be her final home. Her last few months were spent in a world only she could understand. Unable to put any words together she still recognized familiar faces that came to visit.
She was always ready to enjoy a hot cup of coffee
or a cold milkshake.
Bernice passed away peacefully the morning of
October 21st, 2011. A Funeral Mass was held
Thursday, October 27, 2011 at the Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church, Dawson Creek, British Columbia;
Father Michael Anyasoro officiated.
Expressions of Sympathy in memory of Bernice may be made by donation to the:
‘Heart and Stroke Foundation’
1212 -West Broadway, Vancouver,
British Columbia, V6H 3V2
Vivian Halverson
1927 ~ 2011
Eunice a long time resident of Dawson Creek area, British Columbia passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2011 in Dawson Creek at 79 years of age. Eunice was born in Pouce Coupe, British Columbia January 24, 1932 to Robert and Annie Sekyer.
No Funeral Service was held by request.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Vivian may be made by way of a donation to the
‘Canadian Cancer Society’
1000-105 Avenue Dawson Creek,
British Columbia V1G 2B9
Eunice Marie Morehouse
1928 ~ 2011
Eunice a resident of Dawson Creek, passed away Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 83 years of age. A memorial service was held Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 11:00 am at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Eunice was cremated.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Eunice,
may be made by way of a donation to the charity of your choice.
Helen Chahley
1930 ~ 2011
Helen was born in Smokey Lake Alberta in 1930, she was the oldest child of John and Dora Waknuk, and the oldest sister to George Waknuk, Bill (June) Waknuk, Pat (Eric) Hansen, and Tom (Edna) Waknuk. Helen and John Chahley were married on Oct. 15, 61 years ago. They were the perfect pair, and always shared a sweet little kiss whenever John would be leaving the house. They spent their first few years living in a teacherage, and then moved to Dawson Creek to start their family. Her son, Don Chahley was born August 27th 1953.
Helen was a Cub Scout leader, and enjoyed many fishing and camping trips with her family. She taught school for more than 25 years, most of those years teaching grade one. She really enjoyed spending time with her three grandchildren Nick (Carrie) Chahley, Heather (Terry) McInnis and Melissa Chahley (Ryan Panoulias) . Helen loved spoiling her Grandchildren however she never called it spoiling, she always said it’s just loving. She was most happy when she had a house full of family especially her great grandkids that she could spoil to no end. She was a great grandmother to Ayla and Camden Chahley and Aidan McInnis. Some of her most special moments were over the last six years watching her great grandkids play and grow.
Some of our fondest memories of our Grandma were all the stories she would share with us. She would talk about going to deliver mail with her Dad on the horse drawn wagon, and would talk fondly about spending time on the farm with her Brothers and Sisters. Grandma would tell us about cooking with her mom and she really enjoyed passing this knowledge on to us grandkids. She would also talk about the time she spent with her grandma, when she lived with her during high school. Grandma would always light up with excitement whenever she got to tell us a story, she taught us all that each happiness today, is a memory for tomorrow.
We would like everyone to know that we may all no longer be able to see her but we will all have so many special moments, and memories that we shared with her. She will always have a special part in our hearts. Through our grandma’s eyes you can see more clearly the way things used to be, the way things ought to be, and most important of all, the way things really are. We all are so thankful that we knew an amazing lady like our grandma. Some say that life is easier if you hear the steps of grandchildren walking beside you, but we say life will be easier for us all with our Grandma walking beside us forever.
The funeral took place at the South Peace United Church on October 18, 2011. Interment followed at the Brookside Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the Cross Cancer Institute 11560 University Avenue, Northwest Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1Z2 (780) 432-8771.
Calvin Nedland
1973 ~ 2011
Calvin a resident of Dawson Creek, British Columbia, passed away on Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 37 years of age. A memorial service was held Monday, October 17, 2011 at: Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Officiated by Pastor Cory Lizotte
Eulogy ~ Pat Finkle (McDonald)
Opening Traditional Ceremony ~ Charles McKay
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Calvin, may be made by way of donation to the:
‘Heart and Stroke Foundation’
1480 - 7 Avenue, Prince George,
British Columbia V2L 3P2
Valerie Lynn (Edinger) Myatt
1960 ~ 2011
Valerie was born in Dawson Creek, British Columbia Friday,
July 22, 1960 to Richard and Teresa Edinger.
Growing up was spent holidaying, camping, and roasting wieners in the winter. Val always enjoyed a good campfire.Every Sunday morning breakfast was from an Easybake oven followed by family visits to Chetwynd, Fort St John or Hudson Hope.
Val spent most of her life in Dawson Creek, but spent some time in Cranbrook and Quesnel, as well as in Grande Prairie where she earned her Hairdressing degree with honors. She found her calling in life with hairdressing as she was a people person and loved helping make people as beautiful on the outside as they were on the inside.
In 1978 her daughter Pamyla was born followed by Alanna in 1982.Being a single parent, Val was very involved in both her daughters’ lives.Her children remember many exciting holidays going to Prince George or Edmonton.Similar to many families, Pamyla’s and Alanna’s bonds to their mother only grew stronger once they left home and learned some of life’s little lessons.
In 1996, after many years of service at Brass Scissors, Val decided that she wanted to spend more time at home.So, she left her long time job at Brass Scissors and opened up her own home-based hair salon called Val’s Place.Most of her clientele followed her to her new salon, as her customers were more than just clients, they were also her friends.She loved cutting and styling people’s hair while they shared their life stories with her and she shared her stories about her grandchildren!Customers were usually greeted at the door by Val’s furry family: Bebe, Tisha, and Rascal, and then later by Rusty and Murphy.
Val was a loving and proud Grandma.She was present when all three of her grandchildren were born: Orianna in 2003, Aaryn in 2005, and Sabastian in 2006.With each new grandbaby Valerie was more ecstatic, and her heart knew no bounds.She loved spending quality time with them and they always enjoyed having her around. There will always be a special place in each of her grandchildren’s hearts that will solely remain Gramma Val’s.
Valerie Passed away on Friday, October 8, 2011 in her 51st year.A Memorial Service was held Friday, October 14th, 2011 at Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek.
Kaye Berggren
1946 ~ 2011
Kaye a resident of Dawson Creek, British Columbia, passed away at home Sunday, October 2nd, 2011 at 65 years of age. A memorial gathering will be held Saturday, October 8th, 2011 at
Seniors Citizens Hall, 1101 McKellar, Dawson Creek,
British Columbia, at 2:00 pm.
Beloved wife to Larry Berggren.
Loving mother to Karen Ward and Allan (Natalia) Berggren.
Dear Grandmother to Braydon Berggren and Emma Ward.
Sister to Don (Ivy) Mewha and Priscilla Popilchak.
She was born September 29, 1946 in Innisfail, Alberta.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Kaye,
may be made by way of a donation to the
Dawson Creek and District Hospital Foundation - Cancer Unit
11100 - 13 Street, Dawson Creek,
British Columbia V1G 3W8
Beverley Iris Clovis
1940 ~ 2011
Bev a resident of Baldonnel, British Columbia, passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2011 at 71 years of age. A memorial service was held on Saturday, October 8, 2011, at 2:00 pm at
the Fort St. John Alliance Church,
9904 - 98 Street, Fort St. John, British Columbia.
Officiated by Carol Loney
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Bev,
may be made by way of donation to the:
‘The Child Development Centre’
10408 - 105 Avenue, Fort St. John,
British Columbia, V1J 2M8
