- British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935 -
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Florence Irene Calland
1937 ~ 2011
Florence Irene Calland was born on August 10, 1937 to Alfred and Grace Coneybeare on Aunt and Uncle’s farm near Rimbey, Alberta.
She lived and went to school in Sylvan Lake, Black Diamond, Leduc and Kamloops.
Florence graduated in 1954 and went on to St. Ann’s Academy for commercial courses.
She worked at the Royal Bank as a steno for 3 years. This is where she met her husband, Bruce.
They got engaged and Bruce was transferred to Vancouver.
Florence followed and they were married on May 7, 1960.
They lived in Vancouver for 3 years as newly-weds, but then bought a house in Maple Ridge, BC while there, Florence worked at the elementary school’s office.
They also adopted Bryan and Kevin while living in Maple Ridge. The family lived there for 13 years before moving to Dawson Creek in 1977.
It was in 1980 when Bruce and Florence purchased a quarter section of land in Doe River and built a house along with many other buildings over the years.
They were very proud of their “hobby farm” and did many things with it, including raising Highland Cattle.
Florence worked at the Ministry of Highways in Dawson Creek for many years and made many life-long friendships with co-workers before retiring in 1997.
In retirement she enjoyed her family and life with her soul-mate, Bruce.
She had many hobbies from gardening to crafts with wood.
She was a very talented lady.
Florence was a kind person with a caring heart.
She was a generous friend, devoted wife, loving daughter, supportive sister, inspirational mother and patient grandmother. On May 7, 2010 Bruce and Florence celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with both sons and their families. It was a fantastic weekend with wonderful meals, memories and pictures! Their love for one another was clearly evident right up until their final day together, September 12, 2011 when Bruce passed away in a car accident.
Florence lost her 5-year battle with cancer on November 15, 2011. She was stoic, composed and full of grace in the face of tragedy and disappointment. She taught us all how to grieve with dignity.
Florence knew there are disappointments in life and that also in life we will have the death of those close to our hearts. She showed us all how important it is to face these situations... these disappointments... and how we pick ourselves back up and where we go from here.
Florence and Bruce lived a great love story and even though they are now both gone, they are together and a new chapter is being written. This is what gives their family peace and comfort.
God Bless you, Mom, we love you.
Florence was cremated and a Celebration of Life Service was held Saturday, November 19, 2011 at the Rolla Community Hall, Rolla, British Columbia; officiated by Peggy Bergeron.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Florence, may be made by way of a donation to the
‘Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’
637 - 114 Avenue, Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 3A1
Raymond Strand
1948 ~ 2011
Raymond Strand (Ray), husband, father and Dekka to his grandchildren was tragically taken from us on November 29, 2011 at aged 63.
Ray was born on June 19, 1948 in Dunns, Berwickshire, Scotland to parents Francis (Frankie) and Charlotte Strand. Ray has an older half sister, Waltraud who lives in Germany.
Ray spent the first 10 years of his life living on a farm in Grants House, Scotland,
His father was a prison officer and was sent to work at Parkhurst prison on the Isle of Wight, so the family relocated in the most southerly tip of England. Ray started school but spoke with such a pronounced Scottish accent, his teachers sent him to elocution lessons, where he was taught to speak with an English accent so they could understand what he was saying.
Ray joined the air cadets as an after school activity, and when he left school at age 15 his father marched him down to the army recruiting office where upon he was accepted into the Army Air Corp Apprentice School. He spent three years as an apprentice and went on into full manservice as an aircraft technician working on helicopters. In later years Ray went on to teach the Air Cadets in Dawson Creek.
Ray was 18 when he volunteered to serve his country in an action the British army was fighting in Aden, South Arabia now called the South Yemen. Ray spent his time “up country” in the Radfan mountains, usually, just him and the helicopter pilot on one or another mission. It was about this time, a friend was given three sacks of mail from young girls who had read in the papers that young army soldiers were looking for pen friends. His friend gave him a handful of letters but Ray only replied to one, and that is when my sister came into his life. They began a love and friendship that has lasted throughout 42 years of marriage.
“Bloody Hell She’s A Sunday School Teacher”. Now it was about this time, Me being older Brother to Kath, had some input into their blossoming relationship.
Thick and fast, every other day, Kathleen would rush home from work asking, “where’s my letter. Where’s my letter?
“you haven’t got one today”, I would tell her.
I came up with brilliant ways of Letter hiding. Each day, they would be re-addressed - pinned to the ceiling –stuck to the back of the door even hidden in the budgies cage.
When Ray came home, meeting him for the first time, he took me to one side, and said “Look if you ever do that again I’m going to >>>> you can only imagine what he said.
Ray and Kathy were married August 16, 1969. However, as they were being married in England, in Northern Ireland the army was being sent into a new situation that had developed. Ray’s unit was on standby and although Ray and Kathy were allowed to get married, once back at base in Plymouth, Ray was ordered to Northern Ireland. He spent the first six months of married life in a new conflict. Upon his return to England Ray was presented with the British Empire Medal for services rendered to his country. Ray was just 21 years of age.
Ray and Kathy spent two years in Germany and at the end of that tour they returned to England. In 1974 their son Paul was born and they settled into their new family life in England.
In 1977 Ray was again posted to Northern Ireland and this was a difficult time for Ray as he did not want to leave his young son and his wife for another tour in Ireland. However, he did his duty and upon his return he was posted to Canada. They spent two years in Canada, and then back to Germany for another two years.
Suits To Jeans the Canadian way.
Ray was very smart, he always wore a suit, jacket, tie and highly polished shoes. He went out to Canada and came back with the very first pair of Jean’s that I had seen him in. Although Ray loved the Canadian way of life he still retained lots of British ways - his HAT CHOICE …..
Never A Baseball hat…..
It was at this time Ray and Kathleen decided they wanted to give their son a better life so in 1981 Ray left the Army with the rank of Warrant Officer and they immigrated to Canada. They came directly to Dawson Creek and Ray worked at Westwind Aviation with John Todd and Larry Moody. In 1986 he started as a casual worker for Canada Post. He quickly became full time and he worked in Dawson Creek, Fort St. John and eventually became postmaster of Pouce Coupe post office.
Ray and Kath became tai chi instructors, they have spent the last 19 years teaching many people tai chi, for the first couple of years in various locations around Dawson Creek, and for 17 years, they volunteered their services to anyone who wished to learn this graceful art in Tomslake.
I Remember Kathleen & Ray doing A Set, or Form of Tai Chi in my garden in the UK so impressive. A mirror of each other ….this was one time that they were not holding hands as you know they always did wherever they went….
In 2000 Ray was very proud to become Grand Dad when Connor Michael was born.
In 2005 a large group from Canada travelled to Portsmouth, England, where Paul and Krista were married in the same church as Paul’s parents. Ray was thrilled to have a daughter and especially one that gave him as good she got. They loved to tease one another.
Wedding Trip Home…..what a party, some of the tradition’s of home….
How pleased Ray was to show the Canadians part of his English roots. Fish & Chips, English Pubs, Stonehenge. We even had a Canada Day BBQ in August…. Party, & more Parties, that was before the Wedding, Mum /Nanna said at the wedding she remembers the one thing that stood out for her, was watching Kathleen & Ray Dance so lovely that night on the dance floor at The Queens Hotel, she will never forget that. The Lessons paid off RAY…
Ray went from only having one female in his life to having three females giving him a rough time. Krista’s sister Carrie came with the package and they too loved to tease and banter with one another.
In 2007 Paul and Krista presented Ray with another grandson and as soon as Rian (A.K.A. Winston) could talk Grand Dad became Dekka.
In 2009 Ray’s little princess, Kayla McKenzie was born. Ray tried to convince all he was going to be the strict grandparent, and then she would bat her big eyes and sit on Dekka’s knee and she immediately got whatever she had wanted in the first place.
It was at this time that Ray said to Paul and Krista, you both really need to stop breeding; however, he was very proud once again when in August 2011 Kody Clay was born.
Back in June 2011 – Ray and Kath came home
As tradition, before Fish & Chips, we made the Trip to see Mr. Rothery, a Medal collector. I took him down to the shop, parked the car, got to the shop and it was shut, a notice on the door said “Mr. Rothery had died” to which Ray said, “BLOODY HELL he could have waited a week…..
We weren’t to know that celebrating Rays 63rd birthday would be his last trip home,
His Party was fun, but not as much fun as it was for Kathleen and her sister Jennifer. He took such delight as the two of them showed the younger one’s how to drink port correctly..
Ray was taken from us too soon and he will be sadly missed by his wife Kathy, his son Paul, daughter in-law Krista, and grandchildren, Conner, Rian, Kayla and Kody. As well, his large extended family both here in Canada and England.
When it is our time to come and join you Ray, we will try to call ahead and tell you to...“put the kettle on”.
A Social Gathering service was held on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at the Bergeron Funeral Social Room, Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Raymond, may be made by way of donation to the: Charity of your choice.
Robert Edward Craigdallie
October 24, 1939-November 29, 2011
Robert, known by his friends as Bob, was born in Vancouver, B.C. and was raised in Victoria, B.C. He was the first child of Bert and Eileen Craigdallie, brother to Don and Ann. He attended Mount View High School until Grade 11 when he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. After three years as an Instrument Technician, Bob left the military and returned to Victoria to complete his High School diploma. Upon graduation, Bob worked as an Assistant Ranger with the BC Forest Service. In 1964 Bob met Theresa (Terri) Ferguson while working in Barrier, B.C. They married in 1965 and moved to Vancouver Island in 1966. Bob and Terri were blessed with Tom, Laura, and Jason (Ken) in the following years. In 1978 the family moved to Dawson Creek and eventually settled at their farm in Gundy in December of 1979. Bob worked in a variety of occupations while running the family farm. In 1985 it was a surprise when Heather joined the family. Bob later became a proud Grandfather to Serena, Tyla, Layne, and Chanelle.
Bob was an avid reader, enjoyed animals, fishing, lacrosse, hockey, and travelling to visit family and friends. His determination and dedication to a job well done were evident in all that he did. Bob’s outgoing nature made him many wonderful and treasured friends over the years. He will be fondly missed by all who knew him. Bob passed away peacefully in his home on November 29, 2011.
Bob is survived by his wife Terri; children Tom, Laura, and Heather; grandchildren Serena, Tyla, Layne, and Chanelle; siblings Don and Ann; numerous brother and sister in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and other close family.
Thank you
The family of Robert Craigdallie would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to everyone for their support and caring during this difficult time. A thoughtful act or a kind word may pass in a moment but the warmth and care
behind it stays in the heart forever.
Robert was cremated.
A social gathering was held at the Craigdallie home Saturday, December 3rd, 2011 in Gundy, Alberta to celebrate Roberts' life.