DENIS, Marie Madeleine (Maddy) (nee Marion)
February 20, 1950 – January 24, 2019 (68)
Mom passed away peacefully with her daughter and grandson Dustin by her side at Saanichton Peninsula Hospital in Palliative Care Unit.
Mom was born in Ste. Rose du Lac, Manitoba, she was the 3rd youngest of nine children.
Mom is predeceased by her parents Frank and Marie and by two brothers; Gerald and Harvey.
Mom is survived by her children – Michael and Lee-Renee, her Grand-children – Dustin, Clirissa and Brady, and her Great Grand Children – Saydee, Jax, Harley and Kynlee.
Mom (Maddy) will also be missed by her brothers and sister in-laws, her sisters and brother in-laws, by her aunts, uncles’, nieces, nephews and cousins. Maddy loved to travel and became friends with so many people across Canada, The United States and from other parts of the world. She was never scared to start a conversation with anyone and that made a long list of great friends.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the Palliative Nursing Staff and Palliative Care Response Team; both of which cared for Mom at home. We would also like to thank Saanichton Peninsula Hospital for their assistance, kindness, understanding and care of mom in her final days and hours.
A special thank you to Fr. Roplh for coming to administer the last rites to mom on December 26, 2018. And to the local cancer unit of Victoria.
Mom has requested not to have a funeral at this time; she would like to have a private gathering in Ste. Rose du Lac later in the year – Mom’s Celebration of Life to be held May 25th 2pm at Ste. Rose Catholic Church, 585 Central Ave, Ste. Rose du Lac, MB Canada
Love you mom xo
Hazel Annie Owen
July 3, 1926 – December 31, 2018
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Hazel Owen on Dec 31, 2018 at the age of 92. Hazel was born July 3, 1926 in Winnipeg Manitoba. She married Bill, the love of her life on April 26, 1947. She was a devoted wife and mother who made their homes in Winnipeg, then later Dorval Quebec a joy to be in. When Bill retired in 1978 after a long career with Air Canada, they moved to Chemainus BC, then finally settled in Abbotsford BC in 1989. Hazel enjoyed painting in her free time as well as traveling to numerous destinations. She will be remembered by her daughter Lynn (Ian), granddaughter Jenn (Zach), grandson Jamie, great granddaughter Abigail, brother Bud (Pat), sister-in-law Helen, brother-in-law Jack and many nieces and nephews. A small family memorial will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to Abbotsford food bank or Cancer Society would be appreciated. Hazel and Bill you are together once again, rest in peace!
JEAN ESTELLE LUST (NEE KURTZ)
January 17, 1926 – December 21, 2018.
Burnaby, BC - After a very long and productive life, at the peaceful dawn of the winter solstice, Jean followed her light in the arms of her angel to her eternal home. Born in Calgary, AB to Jack (John) Fredrick and Esther Ida Kurtz (nee Rova), Jean graduated from Western Canada High School and attended the Banff School of Fine Arts, before marrying the first and only love of her life, Edwin Lust in 1943. Many considered Jean to be an early pioneer of equal opportunity for women. While Ed served his country during the Second World War, Jean, in all her formidable 100 lb, 5’2” frame, convinced the head contractor that she could assist the war effort as a construction worker on the Colonel Belcher Hospital expansion project in Calgary.
As entrepreneurial and equal partners throughout their life together, Jean honed her culinary skills and supported their growing family with Jean running successful restaurants and Ed, automotive repair businesses. Of her culinary roles, Jean was especially proud of her work as head pastry chef at the iconic Calgary Golf and Country Club with many of her special event creations showcased in the society pages. Jean was multi-talented as evidenced by her artistic and sought after dressmaking skills as well as her journalistic talents as a reporter for the community paper, the Whalley Gazette, and paste-up artist for the regional Peace River Record Gazette. Jean was also a published magazine contributor and proud of her literary accomplishments. When the spirit moved her, she was also a captivating storyteller and family historian. Jean was an avid and extremely knowledgeable sports fan her entire life, well known for her statistical knowledge and especially for her raucous support of her favorite sportsman or sports team. Jean also enjoyed challenging crossword puzzles and games, maintaining her sharp mind to the end. Anyone who visited Jean could anticipate a challenge to a game of cribbage, Jean’s favourite card game.
Although their large family and businesses would seem more than enough for them to manage, the Lust family home was open to all, and often a sanctuary for friends who needed a temporary home. Sadly, on August 17, 1982, just a few short years after their retirement to Peachland, BC from Peace River, AB, Ed passed away. Jean’s tenacious spirit would not let her rest. At the age of 57 and until her health could no longer withstand the rigorous duties, Jean became a caregiver, both professionally and of many family members. Jean also found time in her busy schedule to serve as the President of The Women’s Institute and was a member of the Canadian Legion for many years.
Jean was predeceased by: eldest twin sons Richard (Roma) on February 21, 2013, from Edmonton, AB; and Ronald on March 12, 2017, from Winter Harbour, BC; on August 14, 2018 her sister Reta Aiello of Honolulu, Hi; on May 12, 2008, her brother George Kurtz (Lila) of Didsbury, AB. Jean also lost an infant son, Brian, on December 24, 1958.
Jean is survived by her brother John (Ted) Kurtz (Marie) of Surrey, BC; Jean’s daughters Rita of Delta, BC; Rhea (Ronald Bates), of Burnaby, BC; Patricia (Bruce Pheasant), of Port Moody, BC; Laura (David Bosse) of Edmonton, AB; sons Robert (Dawn Brazdil-Lust) of Creston, BC; Raymond of Powell River, BC; and Darren (Natalie) of St Francois Xavier, MB. Jean found an abundance of love and joy, as well as great pride in the accomplishments of her many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and all generations of family from both the Kurtz and Lust Clans.
Jean genuinely loved her Normanna caregivers and will surely be missed by the compassionate and caring staff and the residents at Normanna Care Home. In lieu of flowers, it was Jean’s wish for donations to be made to Normanna. Donations in Jean’s memory may be sent to: Normanna Foundation, 7725 4th St, Burnaby, BC, V3N 5B6.
A private celebration will take place at Normanna in mid-January 2019 to honor Jean’s long and productive life, as well as the difference she made in the lives of many. The celebration will coincide with the anniversary of her birth. Jean’s wish was to be cremated, and the family thanks Just-Cremation for its courteous service. Jean will join Ed and other family members at the Lust family plot near the picturesque village of Moyie, BC. Interment is anticipated to occur near the summer solstice of 2019.
“Our family wishes to express our deep gratitude and sincere thanks to Normanna Care Home staff for their gentle and compassionate care of Jean, as well as the respect and consideration extended to all family during our vigil. The Normanna care team will forever remain close to our hearts.”
Moravec, Stephen Harold
1957-2018
On December 22, 2018, Stephen Harold Moravec passed away. He was 61 years old. Steve was born on August 24th, 1957, in Edmonton, Alberta. He is survived by his three children; Dean Moravec (Janine Moravec), Dallas Moravec (Jackie Soroka) and Lisa LaFrance (Real LaFrance). Steve had 4 beautiful grandchildren that he loved dearly; Phoenix Moravec, Charleigh Gibson, Adele LaFrance and Lennon Moravec. He was a kind man who would give you the shirt off his back. Steve loved cars, music and animals. He would take home any stray he found, including a skunk.
An open house to celebrate Steve’s life will be held on January 5th, 2019 at 1720-88 street SW, Edmonton, AB T6X 1J6 (Summerside Hall), from 6 pm to 9 pm.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to the Edmonton Humane Society. Dad loved animals and would have done anything for them, therefore it is only right that we honor him with donations to his favourite cause.
https://www.edmontonhumanesociety.com/how-to-help/donate/donate-now/
He will be missed, but never forgotten.
HODGSON, Dean Joseph of Sarnia
HODGSON, DEAN: Dean Joseph Hodgson was born in the Sarnia General Hospital, the son of Jack M. and Blanche (Rollins) Hodgson on August 7th, 1933 and passed away on December 12th, 2018. Dean considered himself the Maple Leafs #1 fan. He also closely followed the Blue Jays, Lions and Tigers. Dean loved to skate and did so into his 80’s, walk, read and debate (about anything). Agriculture was his vocation and he farmed his own land from 1960 – 1990 but continued his interest in agriculture and drainage, especially Lambton County and the Rainy River District to the very end.
As a young man Dean worked with Marshall and Milway, Ontario Land Surveyors and felt the basics he learned in those years guided him through the many pursuits he followed in the rest of his life. Dean was involved in farm drainage for over 40 years (1962 – 2004) as an owner, operator and drainage inspector. Draining the land and solving problems was a passion. Farming, drainage and friendly people were the focus of his life and he attempted to enjoy every minute of every day. Dean always enjoyed the simpler things in life and so, as he said, “luckily never required much money”, though he never married he was always happy with whatever he had. Some of his happiest years (and toughest) were spent on his Emo cattle farm in the Rainy River District between 1978 and 1990 while paying 22% interest. At Emo he also served as municipal Drainage Superintendent for eight municipalities and enjoyed working with Councils and farm groups. Dean was also involved with Emo minor hockey for several years. During these years in the Rainy River District he often said he worked with, “some of the finest people in the world” who made even the cattle business seem enjoyable.
In his later years he was the author of several small books on Lambton County history. He considered himself an amateur historian and was a member of the Lambton County Historical Society for several years and the recently formed Sarnia Historical Society.
Dean was predeceased by his parents Jack (1974) and Blanche (1987), brother-in-law Ray Tomlin (2000), his brother John Hodgson (2012) and sister Donna Hodgson (2018). He is survived by two sisters Della Tomlin of Sarnia and Judith and her husband Geoff Sutherland of Kelowna, BC. He is also survived by Shelley, David and Dean Sutherland along with several other nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations made to St. Joseph’s Hospice or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family. Private arrangements have been entrusted to the D. J. Robb Funeral Home & Cremation Centre (102 N. Victoria St., N7T 5W9, Sarnia).
“The family wishes to thank the entire staff at St. Joseph’s Hospice for their compassionate care and a special thanks to Jim Maw for all the help he provided us at this time”
REID, Linda of Corunna
REID, LINDA – On December 9, 2018, Linda Grace (Lewis) Reid, age 78 of Corunna passed away. She was the dear wife of Michael Reid and the loving mother of the late Christopher Reid (2009). She is also survived by her brothers Cam and John Lewis and sister in law Suzanne and Tom Bouskil. Several cousins also survive. Linda taught with the Lambton County School Board and had retired in 1995 after 35 years of service. Private cremation arrangements have been entrusted to the D. J. Robb Funeral Home & Cremation Centre (102 N. Victoria St., N7T 5W9, Sarnia). Donations made in memory of Linda to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
COLES, Dr. Robert Ellis of Calgary, Alberta
The passing of Dr. Robert Ellis Coles on November 26, 2018 is announced by his daughter Christine Coles (her husband Dave and their daughter Phoenix), his daughter Melissa Flynn (her daughters Cypris and Jordis), his son Jonathan Coles (his wife Jessica, their daughters Andrew and Sawyer and son Jeven) and their brother Joshua Coles.
Robert, aka Bob/Doc, was born an only child at the Norfolk General Hospital in Simcoe, Ontario on March 17, 1946. He is survived by many cousins, including Dale Coles who was like a brother growing up. He is predeceased by his father Henry Ellis Coles (January 1, 1923 Port Dover, Ontario – April 16, 2008 Calgary, Alberta), his mother Edith (Albert) Coles (March 6, 1920 Moosehorn, Manitoba – March 12, 2009 Calgary, Alberta), his maternal grandparents Fred Albert and Christina Margaret Aitken and paternal grandparents Charles Elgin Coles and Ethel Charlton.
Bob grew up in Port Rowan, Norfolk County, moving to Cambridge (Galt), Ontario in 1957. His father Henry Coles served in WWII as sergeant in B Company of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps in charge of radiator and tinsmith division of the vehicle maintenance crews from 1942-1946. Henry then went on to established North End Radiator Service in 1959. Safe to say this was the birth place of Bob’s lifelong love affair with cars, especially Corvettes (although his first car was a robin blue convertible 1955 Cadillac).
After graduating with honours from Galt Collegiate Institute and Vocational School in 1965 (where he pitched for the baseball team, was on the basketball team, student council and many other activities), he was accepted to the College of Optometry of Ontario in Toronto. In 1967 the school moved to Waterloo and became the University of Waterloo School of Optometry, where he continued his studies.
After four years of dating through school, Bob (age 22) married Gisela Oehne (age 20) of Preston, Ontario in June 1968. Bob graduated May 1969 with a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. Together Bob and Gisela set up his first practice after graduation at 111 Wellington Street in Preston, Ontario.
‘Go West Young Man’. And so he did… They sold their practice and moved to Calgary, Alberta in July 1972 to join Dr. Garth Mann at the Bonavista Eye Clinic. Staying at the then Siesta Inn for this first trip, Bob wandered next door to check out Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dancehall, which had just opened months prior in April 1972. It is then and there a friendship with Harris Dvorkin, one of the two Ranchman’s co-founders, was forged. Bob’s love of a Wild West country lifestyle and his entrepreneurial spirit soon made this not only his Calgary Stampede home base, but an office of sorts through his career. (Mr. Dvorkin passed on April 20, 2017- just one week before Ranchman’s 45th anniversary).
Bob and Gisela’s first daughter Christine Anne arrived in 1973, their second daughter Melissa Marie in 1975 and first son Jonathan Robert in 1977. Bob and Gisela were divorced in 1979.
Gone their separate ways, Gisela brought Joshua in to the world in 1982. Giving him the Coles name, he became one of the four “Coles Kids”. Bob moved to Phoenix, Arizona from 1983 to 1987 with his second wife Carol and her teenage children Janet and Mark. Returning to Calgary, Bob and Carol were separated in the early 90s and later divorced.
Bob lived the rest of his years with his Good-Hearted Woman, life and business partner Linda Babuik. They made many memories of shared interests such as travel (favourites included Hawaii and Las Vegas), country music concerts, rodeos (including of course The Stampede but especially the NFR in Vegas) and their camp ‘homestead’ at Riverbend in Okotoks. Linda’s daughters Tricia and Keri, together with Keri’s husband Jim and their children Trevor and Taylor (and Taylor’s son Sawyer), added greatly to the support and memories throughout these years.
His children wish to remember him as the smart witted, extremely intelligent, entrepreneurial, musically talented and charismatic person he was. He was an avid car fan, having owned more than two dozen Corvettes over his lifetime and no stranger to twisting a wrench here or there. He was musically inclined, playing guitar, banjo and singing. He was a quick wit and at times a prankster. He had a love for snakeskin cowboy boots, fishing (including Ice fishing), Disneyland, Canadian Tire, billiards of all sorts, Colt cigars, Vegas, Banff, Elvis worthy jewelry, dry roasted peanuts, fur coats (he has a long family line of fur trappers, including pioneering life long employees of the Hudson Bay Company), steak dinners, egg salad sandwiches, Stetson hats, big belt buckles, cooking, the country lifestyle and Christmas decorating among other things. He was certainly the only optometrist wearing pressed black Wranglers, cowboy boots and a Stetson with his lab coat.
In keeping with his wishes, there will be no formal service. His children gathered in Banff for a tribute the Doc would be proud of.
“Mamas don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys….let ‘em be doctors and lawyers and such”. But, what if your baby is a doctor AND a cowboy??
The Man. The Myth. The Legend. He was one of a kind.
-Cripper, JR, Lissy & Josh
“He’s done some wrong, he’s done some right
Won and lost some fights
Highs and lows, that’s the way it goes
It ain’t always sweet tea
Lovin’, runnin’, son of a gun, like an old outlaw
But ain’t that country” -The Cadillac Three
