- British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935 -
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Jean-Paul 'John' Lachapelle
1931-2002
Jean-Paul Lachapelle, resident of Dawson Creek, British Columbia, passed away on December 5, 2002 in Dawson Creek at 71 years of age. A memorial service was held at 10:00 am on December 14, 2002 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek. Reverend Judy Hare officiated.
Eulogy composed and read by Gisele Guay:
Jean-Paul Lachapelle, “John” to a lot of people, and Uncle to me. He lived a full life and touched a lot of people. John served in the army in Korea and also served in the navy. He was a lifeguard, bus driver and a sometimes carpenter, when he wasn’t creating works of art for other people.
John drove transit bus in Vancouver for many years and he loved it. One day he was driving and a shot rang out, just missing him. He parked the bus and quit his job. Guess he was disillusioned with big city life.
He has family all over Canada, and in his last weeks they made the trip here from Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Alberta to see him and say goodbye. It was so heartening to see his children be able to have this time with him. One son Terry, who lives in Toronto, was ill and could not come so he stayed in touch by phone and computer. I was able to write emails to Terry and to send him pictures. Terry had to go through chemotherapy and John was quite worried about him because he was upset at losing his hair. He had his head clipped for Terry. While he was in the hospital we were able to take pictures of him and email them to Terry. Terry and his wife Christine were so touched with this gesture of love.
John’s mother passed away last year at this time. His sisters Cecile and Sue always referred to him as the “little brother” and tended to spoil him a bit. He leaves to mourn seven children, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, three nieces, two nephews, five great-nephews, five great-nieces, four great-great nephews and three great-great nieces, and numerous friends. A large legacy.
Memorial Arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., Dawson Creek Fort St. John, British Columbia.
Marie Antoinette Ranahan
A funeral service for the late Marie (Toni) Antoinette Ranahan was held on Tuesday, November 26th, at 11:00 a.m. from the Notre Dame Catholic Church, Fr. Chris Lynch officiated, Interment of Toni’s Cremated Remains followed on Wednesday, November 27th, in the Dawson Creek City Cemetery Columbarium.
Toni was born in Fort Providence N.W.T. on April 16, 1931. She passed away on November 20, 2002 in Grande Prairie, Alberta. In 1954 Toni married Earl (Paddy) Ranahan. In the early 50's Toni and Earl along with their two sons left the N.W.T. They lived in Hazelton for two years and then Kitwanga for six years, three more sons were born while living there. Toni and Earl loved the N.W.T. and wanted to return, however, the Dawson Creek and Pouce Coupe area was as far as they got in their trek back North. After moving to Dawson Creek, their relationship ended and Toni continued raising her sons in Dawson Creek. Sometime later Toni had her daughter Trish, a special little angel to be loved and spoiled by mom and all the boys. At this point, Toni’s life was very busy with the trials and tribulations of raising six kids alone. However, the good always outweighed the hardship; the most important factor being that they always remained close and together as a family. Toni raised all of her children in Dawson Creek while working in oilrig camps as a camp cook. Family and friends would watch over the children while Toni was out at camp. Toni would always return with stories from the camps. She would play crib with the men and would return home with a purse full of change from the men’s losses.
Toni lived to make people laugh. She had a way to bring tears to your eyes and make you laugh until your stomach would hurt. Her flamboyant jokes would make an entire room vibrate. She had a special gift of finding the light in a dark situation. Toni was compassionate, caring and trusting. Her heart would go out to all who needed her, even when she was busy. She was always available for family and friends. Toni always wanted to help those who were less fortunate. She would give and give without ever expecting anything in return. Toni had strong beliefs in her faith, and would share her thoughts with anyone who cared to listen. She also had a passion for music. Her favorite songs always represented a special moment in her life. Toni liked to spend her extra time with friends. Even in the worst of weather, she would find a way to go to Bingo. Toni’s grandchildren learned that Grandma’s bingo bag was something to stay clear of.
As her children grew and found their own way, Toni was able to concentrate more on herself and the things she liked to do. She was able to spend more time with friends, and from this blossomed a special relationship with Barry Hunder. For the past six years Barry and Toni lived happily together in their home in Pouce Coupe until her recent passing.
Toni was a remarkable women, one of a kind. Memories of her heart, soul and laughter will forever remain. Her unique way of making everyone feel special guarantees that a little of her will live on in the hearts of each and every one of us.
Toni was predeceased by her father, George Bouvier from Winnipeg, Manitoba, her mother, Veronique from Fort Good Hope, N.W.T., her husband Earl, her brothers Noel, John and Chuck; and her sister, Bertha, Georgina and Margaret.
Toni is survived by her sons George, Mike, Pat, Billy, Paul and Danny, daughter Patricia, and 19 grandchildren. Also her sister, Denise Arden, brother Gilbert Bouvier and step-siblings Lucy, Harriet, Agnes, Allen and Evelyne.
Funeral arrangements were under the care of Reynars Funeral Chapel and Crematorium Dawson Creek, B.C.
Beverly Jean Thompson (Fellers)
Beverly, a former resident of Dawson Creek, was born August 31, 1929 in Montpelier, Idaho to her beloved parents, Earl Alexander and Dorothy Mae Clayton (Piper). She died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, November 17th in the home she shared with her much loved husband, Charlie Thompson.
Beverly is survived by Charlie, her mother Dorothy, brother Ray, his wife Betty, her children, Cherie Thomas, Cyntha Thomas-Cox, (Randy), Deanie Mackwell, (Steve Shand), Debbie Fellers, (Darold), and Clint Connor (Liz), as well as many special cousins, nieces and nephews.
Her warmth and special sense of humour will be deeply missed by her 12 grandchildren, Monica, David, Darren, Cory, Tracy, Amy, Nikki, Kevin, Ross, Christopher, Kyler and Kiana three great-grandchildren, Katie, Chloe and Gabriel.
Services were held Saturday, November 23 at Henderson's Funeral Home in Langley, B.C.
Donations in her memory may be made to the cancer society or hospice of choice.
Alan Hardwick
1928-2002
Alan Hardwick a long time resident of Bonanza, Alberta passed away on November 10th, 2002 in Bonanza, Alberta at the age of 74 years. A funeral service was held on Tuesday, November 19th, at 2:00 p.m. from the Bonanza Hall. Pastor, Dave Brisbin officiated interment followed in the Bonanza Hillhaven Cemetery.
Eulogy by Christine MacLean:
Alan Hardwick was born on August 2nd, 1928 in Edmonton, Alberta.
He moved to Princeton when he was four years old. There he went to a one room school until he was fourteen.
Alan moved to Bon Accord where he worked as a farm hand for Fred and Jessie Miller, and then for Jim Milligan, when Alan left there he moved to Bonanza, Alberta. In 1962 Alan started working for Mel Marshall, Mel and Karen had five small children, I have been told that John Spence actually thought that Alan was the Dad in the house, because he always helped out with the kids. Alan always fit into whose ever family he was working for, as he was easy to get along with. He worked for the Marshall’s for five years, then went to work for Peter Kut where he stayed for seven years.
In 1975 Alan started working for my grandfather, Lee Bouck and became a part of our lives. I don’t remember a Christmas or Easter that Alan wasn’t there. Any time our family got together Alan was a part of it. When we met at Grandma Boucks he was the one to greet you at the door always with a laugh and a smile, Most of our children actually thought that Alan’s last name was Bouck.
Alan was very organized and had his own routine, he got up at the same time every morning and dinner was at 12:00 and supper at 6:00.You could set your watch by Alan going in for meals as he was never late.
He was the perfect employee because you never had to ask him to do anything. Whatever work needed to be done, he just went ahead and did it, from helping to put the garden in, to snow plowing, any kind of farm work, or even feeding cows, no job was ever left unfinished. And Alan might have worked for the Boucks, but he helped everyone. From combining at Blanchard’s bailing with Umbachs, or fixing tires for Gary Henderson. You never had to ask Alan to help, he was just always there when you needed him.
Alan had a soft spot for animals even though he tried not to show it. He always made sure the bird feeder in the yard was full and his barn cats had to be fed everyday. My Grandfather had a little dog named Blondie and when she got to be older Alan would lift her into the tractor to take her for a ride.
He also enjoyed all the children that were around the household. All of us went to Grandma Boucks for tea and cookies or just to visit and Alan watched Grandchildren grow up and then the great grandchildren.
Alan was so good to Grandma Bouck. In the later years when Grandma needed help around the house. Alan was there to see that the tea kettle didn’t boil dry, and that the vegetables got taken out of the microwave for supper. He was the one to help empty the dishwasher and started doing a lot of the little jobs to make her life a little easier. This was how Alan got started baking bread. For many years he mixed all the ingredients and set the timer on the bread machine so it was ready for breakfast in the morning.
Alan had so much patience and understanding with Grandma, he used to drive her to town and wait while she did her banking and grocery shopping. He was her chauffeur to the Seniors clinic in Bonanza where he just sat and visited until Grandma was ready to go. When Grandma’s condition started to deteriorate Alan became her caregiver and the family appreciated all he did for her while she lived at home.
Alan had his likes and dislikes. He liked radishes, but they didn’t like him. He didn’t like cheese and didn’t mind telling you, if you happened to make a dish with cheese in it. He didn’t really like Wayne Gretzky, all one had to do was bring up the name Wayne Gretzke and you could
really set him off. My husband Bob called him 3 time Al because Alan had a habit of repeating himself at least 3 times to make sure you understood what he was talking about. He liked to watch westerns on T.V. and he enjoyed listening to country radio stations especially CJXX morning show with Ken Norman. Alan read all the farm papers and loved all the aspects of the farm life. He looked forward to spring and fall with seeding and harvesting. Driving the combine was one of his favorite pastimes.
Alan was a simple man that didn’t need material things to make him happy. In all the time I knew Alan he never took a holiday or a day off. He got up everyday and did a days work and went to bed and got up the next day and did the same thing. There are not very many men left in this world like Alan and now we have one less. The Bouck Family and surrounding neighbors and friends will truly miss him. He was one of a kind.
Alan was pre-deceased by, Father Edward Hardwick, Mother Evelyn Hardwick, Sister Margaret Street, Nephew Edward Rice. He is survived by Brother Leonard Hardwick (Hazel) West Bank, B.C. Sister Edith Rice, Coalmont, B.C. Brother Ted Hardwick (Maryanne) Merritt, B.C. Numerous nieces and nephews and his extended family The Boucks.
Funeral arrangements were under the care of Reynars Funeral Chapel and Crematorium Dawson Creek, B.C.
Dorothy Haight
1911-2002
Dorothy Haight a long time resident of Bessborough, B.C. passed away on November 14th, 2002 at Pouce Coupe, B.C. at the age of 91 years. A funeral service was held on Tuesday, November 19th, at 2:00 p.m. from Reynars Funeral Chapel, Bev Dunsmore officiated, interment followed in the Sunrise Valley Cemetery.
Dorothy was born Dorothy Elizabeth Ethel Carter on Sept. 8, 1911 in Vancouver, B.C. to Maurice and Molly Carter. Because her father originally wanted a boy, he teasingly nicknamed her ‘Billy’ and called her that all of his life. A sister, Nesta, was born two years later and Dorothy and Nesta were close and loving sister. They grew up in Victoria and later moved back to Vancouver. Dorothy had a happy childhood, enjoying many activities with her sister and cousins. She talked about playing tennis and having picnics, and swimming at English Bay. Dorothy won several awards in swimming competitions and even once participated in a "Polar Bear swim" on New Years day! She was a good student and enjoyed school. As a teenager Dorothy was creative with words and, wrote a collection of poetry. She liked to sing and was an avid reader all her life. Having taken lessons, she became quite an accomplished pianist, playing in a dance band for a short time during her teaching years. Much later she would play the piano at Jack and Anita Haight’s "annual Christmas Sing Along" for several successive years.
She decided on a teaching career and after high school, went on to Normal School, graduating, and then teaching school in Smithers, East Pouce Coupe and finally, Willowbrook. It was when she was boarding with Isabel and Don Haight at Willowbrook that she met Don’s brother, Roy. They fell in love and were married in December, 1940 in Don and Isabel’s home. The war was on, there was very little money and times were hard, but they carved a home out of the wilderness and were active participants in forming a community. Willowbrook was later named Bessborough.
In 1942 Dorothy and Roy became the proud parents of a baby boy, David, followed by Linda in 1945, Philip in 1948 and Judy in 1950.
There were no telephones in those early years and each week Dorothy eagerly awaited the mail, reading and re-reading letters from family at the coast. The mail was of huge importance to everyone in those days, and especially to this young bride who had grown up in the city with all its conveniences, and was suddenly thrust into this isolated wilderness of northern B.C., Dorothy was devastated with the news by telegram that her mother had suddenly passed away. In subsequent years she always looked forward to annual visits from her dad who would come and spend a month or so on the farm every summer.
Roy was a good provider, always bringing home wild meat for the larder. Dorothy
loved to pick berries of all sorts around the farm and the family also have many happy memories of camping trips to the Pine Pass in the fifties and sixties to pick blueberries and huckleberries, which Dorothy would can for the winter. These were the first to get eaten and Linda said I can still hear myself groan as Mom would say "I didn’t make dessert, but there are lots of saskatoons". They raised grain and hay, cattle, pigs and turkeys and sold eggs over the years which provided their main sources of income. They always had a huge vegetable garden and Dorothy never failed to grow a long row of beautiful mixed flowers in the middle of it. She canned and preserved meat, wild fruit, pickles and anything else she could get her hands on to store away in the cellar. She seemed to have boundless energy. Her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews all have fond memories of her delicious and thirst quenching home-made root beer.
Dorothy had a big kitchen and the "round table" in the centre was the focal point for much visiting and laughter with relatives and friends over the years and she would bustle around, serving tea and lunches, loving every minute of it. She made everyone feel welcome. Visitors appreciated her sweet peas which grew along her front porch every summer and were always spectacular and welcoming.
Dorothy was interested in the world around her, always keeping up with current events. She was very patriotic and proud to say she was a Canadian through and through. Her family would often get a lecture on the importance of voting in elections. She loved being around people and kept very active in the community. She was a founding member of the Bessborough Women’s Institute, the first Community Club, the 4-H club and she held various executive positions on them all. For a time she and others in the community had a drama club and put on plays for entertainment. She often served as poll clerk for elections. In later years she and Roy built up a large herd of sheep and she became actively involved and held office in the Sheep Breeders Association.
As mentioned Dorothy and Roy both loved to read and a visit to the library was a must on their trips into town. Dorothy’s favourite books were mystery novels; especially Agatha Christie. She also had a passion for crossword puzzles, She loved to recite poetry and, with her kids as a willing audience, could ramble off "The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner" or
"Ullyses at the Bridge" and other poetry from her school days, or recite little dittys and rhymes that her mother had taught her. She was a stickler for good manners and etiquette, insisting on her children’s very best behavior in the presence of visitors. For whatever reason, Dorothy would never tell her age. When asked, she would always say "I’m the same age as my little finger, and a little bit order than my teeth". Maybe it was no coincidence that we couldn’t find her birth certificate recently! As kids, they all had "Siwash sweaters" that Dorothy knit for them. The Kiskatinaw River ran through their pasture and on hot summer days, she would accompany her kids there and teach them to swim. She always said the river water didn’t hold one up like sea water did. She loved to walk; and didn’t stroll or saunter, she WALKED. As kids they had to run to keep up to her. If she was stressed, she would go for a long WALK and the river was her favourite destination. Dorothy had a soft spot for animals and took in various strays that needed a home. She always had a favourite "mama" cat and was able to supply kittens to many friends and relatives over the years. She kept a flock of geese and made quilts from their down. She has a little Brownie camera and she kept a photographic record of the important things in her life, keeping her albums up to date, first in black and while and later in colour. Being of English ancestry, Dorothy was a fan of the Royal family and was always interested in their activites.
In 1966 the modern world finally poked its way into their log home and Dorothy was thrilled to be able to switch on an electric light and to actually have running water! The telephone followed not long afterwards, as well as television. A refrigerator replaced the old ice box and things were never quite the same on the farm.
Dorothy was a practicing Christian Scientist and devoted much time to the study of this religion which sustained her through her life.
She and Roy were able to do some traveling in later years with their truck and camper which they greatly enjoyed and Dorothy kept a journal of their trips.
In 1990, Dorothy and Roy celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary surrounded by friends and family. This was the culmination of their life together.
Roy passed away on November 23, 1993. The effects of Alzheimer’s grew increasingly worse and Dorothy was forced to move into Rotary Manor. She sorely missed her old home on the farm. While living at Rotary Manor, staff and residents commented that they were often entertained by Dorothy as she recited little rhymes and poems from her childhood. About a year ago, her health had deteriorated to the point where she needed more intensive care and she had to move, again to Pouce Coupe Care Home. She passed away there on November 14, 2002 at the age of 91 years.
Dorothy was predeceased by her husband, Roy Haight, her parents and her sister, Nesta
Starr and all of her sisters-in law and brothers-in-law.
She is survived by her son, David Haight (Ann), daughter, Linda Schallock, (Ernie), son Philip Haight (Lana) daughter Judy Wilde (Danny), daughter-in-law Sharon Haight, 13 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were under the care of Reynars Funeral Chapel and Crematorium Dawson Creek, B.C.
Baby Grace Simms
A private family service was held on Wednesday, November 20th, at 2:00 p.m. from Reynars Funeral Chapel. Bev Dunsmore officiated, interment followed in the Dawson Creek City Cemetery. In her brief stay Baby Grace Simms precious baby of Philip and Amber Simms, touched her family in a way only a tiny little "Angel" can do. Her life was short but very special to her family. She wove her way into the hearts of those who had hopes and dreams for a child, and although her time was brief her family feel they have been touched by tiny "Angel" wings. The following poem is a tribute to Baby Grace.
A bud the Gardener gave us,
A pure and lovely child,
He gave it to our keeping
To cherish undefiled;
And just as it was opening
To the glory of the day,
Down came the heavenly Father
And took our bud away.
She leaves to grieve and mourn her passing her mommy and daddy, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral arrangements under the care of Reynars Funeral Chapel and Crematorium Dawson Creek, B.C.
Agnes Pavlis
1904-2002
Agnes Pavlis, resident of Dawson Creek, passed away on November 5, 2002 at 98 years of age. A funeral service was held at 10:00 am on Friday, November 8, 2002 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, with Reverend Judy Hare officiating. Interment followed at the Mountain View Cemetery, Sunrise Valley, BC.
Eulogy read by Les Derfler: Agnes was born January 27th, 1904 in Breckenridge, Minnesota. Her parents lived at Lidgerwood, North Dakota, where she went to school and lived with one half-sister, one half-brother, and six step-brothers and sisters.
In those days they drove a top buggy pulled by spirited horses. In 1917, her step-father bought a shiny black model 'T' which the children took turns riding to town in. Agnes remembered the first world war days when certain foods were rationed adding to the uncertainty of this time period.
In September 1923, she married Harvey Derfler and they began life together on
a farm in North Dakota. The following August, Ernest was born, and their daughter, Marcella was born in July of 1929. During the depression they decided to move to Canada. In early October 1930, Harvey ended his northbound journey in Hythe, Alberta. Agnes soon followed with Ernest and Marcella.
They ended up on Œthe homestead‚ located in Farmington, BC. There was no school, or decent roads nearby. Those needs became a priority on her agenda. She was instrumental in gathering support for what was the beginning of the Parkland school, and for better roads to be opened in the area.
As a member of the Sunrise Valley Women's Institute, Agnes enjoyed visiting, making quilts, and attending raffle events. Other social activities included local dances and picnics.
Following the passing of her husband in 1941, Agnes married Frank Pavlis in November of 1945. Their son, Don, was born October in 1946 and grew up on a small farm at mile 16 on the Alaska Highway.
Grandma is remembered for her baking, especially her cinnamon buns and poppyseed cake. Her gardening and handicrafts often won prizes at the fall fair. She raised chickens, selling the eggs, along with home made bread, and garden produce. She enjoyed the visiting aspect of this venture, as well as success at the business end of it. She used money earned to invest in a couple of rental units in town; a welcome subsidy to the family farm income.
Of course there was her V.W. Beetle that she treated like a prized possession. I still remember teasing her about the power, or lack thereof, yet she would always laugh and tell of how good car it had been to her. She loved that car.
She is remembered as a mother, a caregiver, a housewife, a farmer, a business woman, teacher, grandmother, great grandmother, and more. She was always ready with a helping hand. She was also the spokesperson in any serious business dealings in the family and was determined to get the best possible deal there was to be made.
After the nest was empty, she traveled when she could heading for destinations across the U.S and Canada and even abroad. She was never afraid to live life to the full no matter what she did.
She was loved and respected by those who knew her, and will be greatly missed.
Agnes was predeceased by her two husbands, Harvey Derfler and Frank Pavlis, her daughter, Marcella Magusin, son-in-law, John Magusin, and grandson, Harvey Derfler.
She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Ernest (Lila) Derfler, and Don (Yvonne) Pavlis; grandchildren, Les (Wendy) Derfler, Randy (Cathy) Derfler, Brian (Carolyn) Derfler, Bruce (Lory) Derfler, Diane (Al) Cowna, Susan (Dale) Mamm, Steven (Debbie) Magusin, Grant Magusin, Marichu (Anthony) Cuthbert; 21 grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., Dawson Creek - Fort St. John, British Columbia.
