Alexander, John Saturday, 17 Mar 2007
Williams Lake, BC
John Benjamin Alexander passed away on March 17, 2007 at home in Koolewong, NSW, Australia soon after being diagnosed with cancer. He is survived by wife Margaret, children Catherine Alexander and Mathew Alexander, and brother Gordon Alexander.
John was born in North Vancouver on May 9, 1930. After joining the PGE Railway at the age of 18, he moved to Lillooet, B.C. and then transferred to Williams Lake several years later.
John spent his early years in Williams Lake living the life of a confirmed bachelor. He exercised his passion for books by becoming an integral part in the development of the town’s first library.
A favorite family story tells of the time he won the Irish Sweepstakes and used the money to buy the library its first set of encyclopedias and himself a brand new 55 Chevy Bellaire convertible…perhaps one of the greatest cars ever made.
The car, by the way, came to a tragic end many years later when it spontaneously burst into flames outside the volunteer fire hall.
John’s bachelor days ended when he met Australian nurse Margaret Challinor. Williams Lake was Margaret’s first stop on an extensive around North America traveling adventure; it proved to be an extended first leg.
John and Margaret married in Jan. 1965 and began their family. John took to family life the way he did most other things he felt were important, with complete dedication.
John loved his job as a railway engineer on the BCR. He was one of a very few men in BC who maintained a steam engine ticket and was therefore able to operate the Royal Hudson when it made its trips through the Cariboo. He despised being late and hated receiving the train behind schedule. Under his operation, this problem was often rectified and the train usually made it to its next destination on time, thus garnering him the nickname Johnny the Jet.
In 1995 after retiring from the BCR with 47 years of service, John and Margaret moved to New South Wales, Australia. John said he never again wanted to see another snow flake. He spent the next 12 years of his life doing what he loved best; walking, reading, hanging out at the library, hanging out at the beach, and riding the trains.
Cards of condolence may be dropped at Alexander Clothing at 41 South First Avenue and will be forwarded to Koolewong.
Fosbery (Polehoyke), Debra Monday, 12 Mar 2007
Williams Lake, BC
It is with regret that the family of Debra Louise Fosbery (Polehoyke) announce her sudden passing on March 12, 2007 after a short, courageous battle with cancer at the age of 51.
She was a bundle of joy born to Pauline and Nestor Polehoyke on Sept. 26, 1955. When Debbie was one year old her parents moved to Williams Lake.
The family roots became firmly planted as Debbie thrived, learned and bathed in her parents’ love. She attended all of her schooling in Williams Lake and graduated from Columneetza Senior Secondary School.
While attending school little did she know that her husband to be was at the same school.
After Debbie graduated she was employed for a number of years with a financial institution. Debbie also attended several courses preparing herself for the computer world.
Debbie and Lee met in 1976 and were married at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in May 1977.
Their starter home was a mobile home on Dog Creek Road.
Their next move was to Ninth Avenue, where their first child Shaun was born.
Debbie’s love for Shaun showed that love has no limits. Twelve years later, Alison arrived and their family was complete. Their next move to Roberts Drive would bring new challenges.
Debbie was a fun loving, vibrant person who respected people for who they were and asked for nothing less in return. She had an extraordinary talent for home decorating, cooking and was happiest at home entertaining.
As her children matured, Debbie was inspired to apply her skills and talents once again as she and her son opened a new business called Galaxy Games.
Even as we believed that nothing could ever hurt us, a little more than a year later life dealt her the final challenge a challenge that her immeasurable love, passion and courage could not overcome.
The invaluable help of family and many others should have made the difference, but the challenge was greater than all of us.
Debbie is survived by her husband Lee, children Shaun, Alison; parents Nestor and Pauline of Williams Lake; brothers, Reg (Darissa) of Vancouver, Bryan of Williams Lake, Dean of Vernon and many relatives.
We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the doctors and nurses at Cariboo Memorial Hospital and to Dr. McMann.
A special thanks to Pastor Andy Kahle and the ladies of St. John Lutheran Church for tea and a wonderful lunch.
Praise to the pianist, Sheila Freeston and soloist, Fay Breck.
Our deepest appreciation for all the flowers, food, cards, phone calls, visits, loving care and support that you have shown us in our difficult time.
A thank you to La Prairie Funeral Services.
Debbie’s mortal remains will be laid to rest in the Williams Lake Cemetery. There to await the great day of resurrection when the Lord shall summon the living and the dead before His presence. To God be all honour and glory.
Orr, Isabel Monday, 12 Mar 2007
Williams Lake, BC
Dec. 26, 1913 -- March 12, 2007
Isabel A. Orr was born in Wawota, Saskatchewan, Dec. 26, 1913, the eldest daughter of John and Helen Dooley. Isabel was raised and educated in Wowota and Park Hill, Ontario. She passed away March 12, 2007 at Cariboo Memorial Hospital.
Isabel met her love Robert Willard Orr in Pelly, Sask. in the summer of 1931 while visiting her father .
Robert and Isabel were married in Oct. 1931.
Their daughter Barbara (Begin) was born in 1933. Sadly three infant sons were buried in the soil of Maloneck, Sask.
During the mid-1930s the family travelled to Vancouver and then to Williams Lake where Robert found work in the sawmill industry. Isabel spent her days raising Barbara and working at the Twilight Lodge in Lac la Hache.
They travelled back to Saskatchewan to try farming once again where their second daughter Gail was born in Nov. 1938.
In the early 1940s in search of better employment and way of life, they moved to Fort William, Ontario (now Thunder Bay). Robert worked at the war plant and took night classes to become a mechanic.
Over the next several years Janice, Gordon, Eileen and Douglas were born.
Douglas, had the extra challenges of being born with cerebral palsy.
In 1951 the family moved back to Williams Lake. Robert worked at a garage and soon owned a sawmill at 150 Mile House.
Daughter Barbara and son-in-law, Raoul Begin moved from Ontario to work for Robert and make their life here.
Over the following six years Isabel and Robert made their home in 150 Mile House, Horsefly, Glendale and the Chilcotin.
In the early years, entertainment involved sitting around the radio listening to shows like The Shadow, The Squeaking Door, and Dragnet.
Opening a box of Tide to find tea towels, glasses or dishes were shared moments of delight, along with receiving the Reader’s Digest, Star Weekly and Simpson Sears’ and Eatons fall and spring catalogues to plan new purchases.
After her children were tucked into bed Isabel escaped the day’s challenges by delving into the historic, mystery/adventure and romance books she read by gas or oil lamp.
As finances improved Isabel signed up with People’s Jeweller’s where the agreement was “a dollar down and a dollar a month” with the promise of a classier set of dishes, and possibly what became her trademark, the pearl necklace.
Isabel was strong in the eyes of her children as she adapted to the difficulties of the 1930s and 40s with elegance and pride. Her strengths carried through into them all, especially Douglas who courageously faced his life of disability with fierce independent passion.
The Cariboo life was firmly implanted in Isabel and Robert’s blood. Yet when their son in law, Bob Kennealy found work at an asbestos mine in Northern B.C. the call of the north beckoned. Robert found employment with the promise of a better and consistent life with a prosperous company town ... Cassiar. Initially Bob worked for the Cassiar Asbestos Corp. and then bought and ran the Pacific 66 Service Station. Isabel, then a grandmother of five, ran the snack bar, drove taxi and kept books.
Eileen and Douglas were still at home until the age of 16 when Eileen left to attend school in Fort St. John and Douglas left to live at Woodlands in New Westminister. Daughters Gail, Janice and their families lived across the street, son Gordon and his wife lived close by. It was some of the best years for Isabel and Robert.
They both lived and worked in Cassiar until they retired in 1975 to Abbotsford.
Here they were able to spend their time with daughter Janice, son Gordon and youngest son, Douglas, who was then living in the extended care of the Abbotsford Hospital.
In 1985 Douglas had the opportunity to experience independent living in Fort St. John near his sister Eileen.
Isabelle and Robert celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1981.
Robert died in 1993 and in 1995 Isabel moved back to the Cariboo. After a serious injury to her arm Isabel resided at Cariboo Lodge where she enjoyed reminiscing about the good old days with other Cariboo pioneers and the caring support of the staff and her family.
Looking and feeling years younger than her age Isabel turned 93 last December.
Isabel leaves to celebrate her life, daughters Barb Begin, Gail Yakimovitch, Eileen Babcock, daughter-in-law Doreen, sons-in-law Doug Babcock, and Don Yakimovitch. She leaves 18 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren.
Isabel was pre-deceased by her sons, Douglas and Gordon, son-in-law Raoul Begin, daughter Janice (Edwards), and husband Robert of 62 years.
Five generations were represented at the memorial service held for Isabel at her daughter Barbara’s home. Though Isabel, mom, grandma has passed on, her spirit and love for life’s blessings remain and live on in her children.
A beautiful song was written for Isabel and Robert for their 50th anniversary by grandson Bob Kennealy Jr. and granddaughter Laurie Campbell. One stanza from the song is a fitting final tribute to Isabel -- “Family unity was their goal in life. We have known it all. Through this unity of our family. We know we will never, ever fall.”
McIntyre, Helga Monday, 19 Feb 2007
Williams Lake, BC
Helga Esther Elaine McIntyre passed away at Cariboo Memorial Hospital Feb. 19, 2007 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
She was born March 8, 1920.
She was pre-deceased by her husband John Earl and great-granddaughter Destiny.
She is survived by her son David (Brenda); daughters Erlyne Poholka (Brian Scott), Wanda Scott (Gib); grandchildren Brandy, Katelin, Jim and Don, Erin and Steven; great-grandchildren, Dakota, Ryan and Stephanie, Kyler and Holli, Ian, Cameron, and Daniel.
You will always be remembered in our hearts as Peggy.
We love you mom.
Winters, Yvonne Wednesday, 07 Feb 2007
Williams Lake, BC
Relatives and friends gathered at St. Andrews United Church Feb. 12, 2007 to say goodbye to Yvonne Winters. Yvonne passed away February 7, after a losing battle with cancer. Her family were at her side for all her last days.
Rev. Susan Charbonneau officiated at the Celebration of Life. Greg Winters, Yvonne’s youngest son, gave the Eulogy. Son-in-law Paul French and grandson Derrick Winters shared memories of Yvonne.
Born in Spalding, Sask, on Oct. 13, 1936, Yvonne was the third of six children born to Emil and Caroline Anderson. After spending some years in Quebec, the family returned to Saskatchewan in 1945, and six years later, they moved to Revelstoke. Yvonne was working in a restaurant there when she met Larry Winters. The two married in 1955.
Larry was a trucker until he retired, and his work took the family to 100 Mile House in 1965, to Williams Lake in 1975, then to Boston Bar when Larry retired in 2003.
Yvonne was known for her skill as a cook. She was never fazed no matter how many people showed up at mealtime and the coffee pot was always on between times. “Nanny” as she was known to her grandchildren and their friends, was an excellent seamstress and she loved to knit and crochet. She also loved her garden and playing all kinds of games.
Along with her many friends, Yvonne leaves to remember, and to miss her, her husband Larry; daughters Lori Hansen (Gerald), Patti (Dean), Tammy French (Paul), Jackie (Lorne ), and Terri (Rob ); sons Tom (Heidi) and Greg (Lori).
She leaves 18 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; her sister Loretta; her brothers Allen Anderson (Lynne) Emmet Anderson (Joanne) and Robert Anderson (Margaret); and many nieces and nephews.
Telford, Helen Wednesday, 07 Feb 2007
Williams Lake, BC
Helen (nee Nightingale) Telford passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Comox, Vancouver Island on Feb. 7, 2007, at the age of 96.
Helen came to Alexis Creek in 1935 to visit with Kathleen and George Telford on the KC Ranch.
Here she helped Kathleen with the many ranch chores, caring for the four Telford children and Kathleen’s mother Anna Graham. Helen quickly adapted to the ranch life and was a great help.
She was a very attractive young lady and the cowboys and ranch hands were smitten.
George Telford’s brother Bob who was working on the ranch, won her heart and in 1939 they were married at Helen’s parents home on Hornby Island.
Soon after, Bob was off to fight in the Second World War and Helen stayed on at the ranch with Kathleen.
When Bob returned from the war, they moved down to the Gables, about 10 miles south and started ranching.
They grew their own grain for their stock, and Helen ran a small coffee shop. Pie and coffee was 25 cents. It was a popular stop for all the locals as Helen was an excellent cook.
After a few years, Bob and Helen moved to Williams Lake.
They moved frequently and lived in many towns in the Cariboo and the Okanagan. In the early 1990s they lived in Victoria as Bob was very ill and in the Veteran’s Hospital, where he passed away.
Helen then moved to Courtenay to be close to her relations, and spent her remaining days there. Bob and Helen returned often to the ranch in the Chilcotin that held so many special memories for them.
Helen will be sadly missed by her many friends and relatives.
