- British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935 -
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Olive Owens Bourque
1928 - 2009
Olive Owens Bourque, of Dawson Creek, BC and former resident of BayTree, AB. Passed away on October 26 at 80 years of age. Olive was born to George and Gladys Andrews on November 10, 1928 in Peace River, AB, where she was the 5th of 9 children.
Olive will be remembered for her "cut and dried" personality. She did her best and didn't change from what she thought was right. Olive loved her husband, children and grandkids, and was always doing her very best for them. She was extremely organized and was very hospitable. No one left their home hungry or without a least a cookie or two!
Olive, who was named after the nurse that delivered her, grew up in the Judah Hills of Peace River, AB...on the banks of the Smoky River. Olive attended the Smoky School, she would walk with her brothers and sisters to the top of the hill everyday for class. Even at a young age, she was feisty. At 16, when her parents were away and an older brother was left in charge of the farm, he "suggested" that his younger sister could help milk the cows...Olive kicked the milk bucket, told him to milk the cows himself and then instructed him to take her to town. She never returned. Olive then lived in Peace River working for a while cleaning houses, before getting hired on as a Practical Nurse, where she would train and work at different hospitals in the area. First starting in Peace River then she moved to Berwyn, Spirit River and finally Dawson Creek. It was while working as a nurse, that Olive met her dearest friend in life; Linda Tschiedel. Linda and Werner stayed friends with Art and Olive for the remainder of their years.
In 1950, Olive met Art Bourque and they later married in 1951. They settled on his family farm in BayTree. They were married for 5 years before starting a family, adopting Sherry and Brett. Olive was a homemaker, she loved to bake. Always having a freezer full of goodies that were ready, for when company came. No one ever left hungry. Everyone was always invited in for cake and cookies, a meal, or even a room for the night if needed. She had a big garden, and always had enough to last throughout the winter. Wednesdays were "Wash Days" and she truly loved the art of washing clothes, hanging them on the line and ironing, she even got quite the reputation as a young girl, as she just loved to iron. While Olive loved to work in the home, she also worked with Art, helping in the fields, driving the grain truck in the fall, or milking cows and doing chores.
In their early years, Olive and Art enjoyed curling with neighbors, when the curling rink opened in Bonanza. They also attended many dances at the East Pouce Hall. An involved hockey mom, she went with Brett, as he completed his years in hockey. Driving to early morning practices, sitting in the cold arenas, and cheering him on. She loved to watch him play all through the years, she continued to watch on TV, cheering for the Oilers. In later years, neighbors would take her to watch children play in Savanna.
Brett remembers his mom helping to build the granaries, and while hammering, if she got tired using her right arm, she'd switch the hammer to her left and never miss a beat...Sherry remembers her mom's love of berry picking and the time they were picking berries together on the creek bank, when they heard a noise, Olive looked over and said "that's the biggest bear I've ever seen" Sherry went off running and Olive stayed and picked...the kids knew that there was no use trying to get out of it, because she loved to pick berries, and no one was heading home, until the bushes were bare...Melissa remembers Grandma's love for ice cream, she was always ready for an ice cream cone, whether a trip to Dairy Queen while out doing errands, or a stop at the Husky in Pouce Coupe while enjoying a drive.
Olive also enjoyed and was famous for her crocheting, quilting, baking, canning, knitting and sewing. She entered many of her handicrafts into the community fairs and won many ribbons and achievement awards.
Olive had some health problems after their move from the farm into town. After the passing of Art, she continued to decline; eventually needing to be moved into the Pouce Coupe Care Home. Olive, really enjoyed her time there. Her roommate Lillian, became a sweet friend, and it brought Ollie great joy to teach some of the young workers how to make beds with proper "hospital corners" She had many great days there, and enjoyed many activities and outings.
Although, Olive's time was cut short and she left us quickly and unexpectedly...we will remember all the good times, the laughter and joy, and the many things that she taught us.
Olive is survived and lovingly remembered by her daughter Sherry Bourque, son Brett (Michelle) Bourque, Grandchildren Aaron (Melissa) McCoy, Amy (Jeremy) Barton, Nicole Bourque as well as Bobbie, Michael, Brandon and Dustin Moore. Her great-grandchildren Brooklyn and Braxton McCoy, Spencer, Noah and Alexander Moore, MacKenna Moore. Her sisters, Marjorie Wurst, Margaret (Irwin) Wahl, Brother Richard Andrews. Sister in laws Ruth Andrews, Carol Andrews, Elise Dechief and brother in law Armand Fortier.
She is predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Art Bourque, her brother Tom Andrews, sisters Sue (Jim) Troop, Edith (Jim) Hall, brothers Ron (Nadine) Andrews and Lawrence Andrews.
A Memorial Service, officiated by Art Funk, was held for Olive on October 31, 2009 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek, BC. Inurnment of Olive and Art’s urn will be held at a later date in the Briar Ridge Cemetery.
Richard Ian Foster
1951 – 2009
Richard Ian Foster was born on March 31, 1951 in Calgary, Alberta to Ivan and Victoria Foster. Originally named “Robert Ian Foster”, he had his name legally changed to Richard after he acquired the nickname of Dick (or Dickie) as a child. At the age of 12 he contracted Tuberculosis and spent 18 months recovering in the Baker Memorial Sanitarium.
Richard completed all of his schooling in Calgary where he spent a lot of time visiting with his Grandma Miller in Drumheller, Alberta. Many school breaks were spent with his Aunt Mabel Neufeld in Didsbury, Alberta where he enjoyed helping his Uncle Jake work around the gas station. Richard loved cars, from making models as a child to working on cars as a boy.
He met and married Betty Diane Rumsey on June 30, 1973 and they settled down in Calgary for a year then Richard took a transfer with his employer to Dawson Creek. After that, he worked at a variety of automotive related jobs. In March of 1988 their son, Richard Jacob Foster (Jake) was born and Richard decided he should get a career or trade as an example for Jake. Starting at Brown’s Chevrolet he began an apprenticeship. He received his journeyman mechanics certification in 1992 and worked for many local businesses including Brown’s, Aspol’s, Capital, and Fountain Tire.
After recovering from a heart attack in 1999 he changed careers to first aid and safety and began working for local companies.
Richard was a bit of a pack rat and he would take young Jake ‘DUMPING’. This involved frequenting the local dumps collecting scrap metal to be recycled. If a friend was looking for something in particular, Richard made it his mission to find it. One time someone wanted some patio bricks, so Richard got on the job until the friend had to tell him to stop bringing bricks because he had more than enough. Betty was afraid to send him to the dump fearing he would return with more junk than he went with. They even collected enough refundable containers to pay for Jake’s first quad!
Richard collected music, antique lighters, and souvenir ball caps but his prize collection was his cars parked behind the house in various conditions. A few years back, they cleaned up the yard and hauled 15 cars away. Within a week 9 more had taken their place.
Richard disliked Dodges and he passed on to Jake when he was young by teaching him to say, “Pooey Dodge!” This aversion for Dodges continued until the end, when Richard was adamant that his last ride NOT be in a DODGE. This explains his ride to the burial plot in a FORD pick-up!
Richard began working his dream job, a job with a pension plan, at Northern Lights College until being diagnosed with an inoperable stage 4 brain tumor in April of 2009. Receiving radiation and chemotherapy, he did not get sick and was relatively pain free until he passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the Dawson Creek Hospital on October 24, 2009.
A Funeral Service was held on October 30, 2009 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel in Dawson Creek, BC. Peggy Bergeron Officiated and Betty brought some of Richard’s ball caps to give to anyone in attendance who wished to have one. Interment followed and Richard was laid to rest in the Brookside Cemetery, Dawson Creek, BC.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services and Crematorium Ltd.
Agnes Conlin
1930 - 2009
Agnes Theresa Conlin was born on April 28, 1930 in Lashburn Saskatchewan, to Harry & Antoinette Lefebvre. She was the 2nd of 9 children and being the eldest daughter, she was busy helping her Mom with the younger siblings, and Dad with chores on the farm.
Agnes married Perry Conlin in August of 1954 and had 3 children, Linda, Merna, and Darren. Most of their married life was spent on the farm in South Dawson, where Agnes was always busy with her large garden, chickens and cows, (she named each and every one of them, even the calves) . Memories of fresh baked bread, cinnamon buns, home made donuts, churning and making butter, using the cream separator at each milking and her awesome chocolate cake with lots of icing are remembered fondly by her children. How we will all, including the dogs, miss her baking.
Agnes had two passions. She loved horses and was an amazing rider in her early years and she loved baseball. She played when she was a young teenager and watched her Blue Jays and Montreal Expos later in life, right up to this season. We found stats from 1993-95 were she was keeping track of how each player was doing. In Agnes’s words, “1995 was not a good year for the Jays.”
Agnes loved family and she was very proud of each of her 7 grandchildren. She loved to watch them no matter what they were doing. She loved watching Marley and Paige Conlin bath in the kitchen sink. She loved watching Cassandra Boltz ride her horse in shows, and got to watch Cassie win a Buckle at the fair in Armstrong. She loved watching Brad Boltz play baseball, and Devon Gies bowl at the bowling alley. Agnes also loved watching her grandsons Colton and Jason Gies play hockey (as long as it didn’t get too rough) . She watched her last hockey game just 2 weeks ago when Colton was playing. She didn’t stay long because as she said “I can’t watch, their too rough on Colton”. How we will miss those little cheers from the stands.
Agnes spent nearly 10 years in Trail, B.C. where she met some great people who became life long friends. This is where she blossomed. She lived alone, learned how to pay rent, bills, and most important learned how to drive, at the age of 59. She loved her little blue Ford escort. Her son Darren was honored to be with her the day she purchased the car and got to see the pride on her face when she drove off the lot.
Another proud moment was when she purchased her house in Dawson Creek 15 years ago. How nice it was for her daughter Linda to have her close by again. She spent many Christmases, Easters and other special occasion with us all.
Was Agnes spunky? We all know the answer is yes. We all remember the Lefebvre family reunion where she learned to play golf, participated in the paint ball
game and the relay race. We will never forget her riding on her nephew’s back caring an egg in a spoon making sure she didn’t drop it and then trying to transfer a bocce ball from under her neck to her brother Charlie’s. Neither one of them have much of a neck, so it wasn’t an easy task.
Just this past August Agnes did a 2 mile hike with her brother Leo and family at Azueta Lake. The trail went through creeks, up hills, over rocks. There was one spot along the hike that was particularly rough, two of the cousins picked her up and helped her through that part of the trail. Once the others caught up she wittily commented, “I got here the easy way.”
Agnes will be remembered for her great cooking and making meals for hired hands on the farm, friends and family on special occasions or whenever she received company.
The last few years, Agnes helped her Uncle Rene Jeannotte with the spring planting and fall harvest by cooking for his crew. She would make sure that potatoes and carrots were grown in the garden for the fall. Staying at Rene’s there were lots of stories to tell and lots of fun and laughter, there was never a dull moment. She loved her evenings with Uncle Rene, Uncle George and the occasional glass of wine. Uncle George would always have a story to tell to make her laugh.
Agnes’s last Sunday was a great day. She went to church, had lunch with Uncle Rene, a nice visit on the phone with her Aunt Doris Jeannotte, she also had supper and laughs with her Uncle George.
Sometime Monday afternoon, Agnes suffered a stroke. She passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at the age of 79. Agnes went peacefully as she was surrounded by her brothers and sisters in-laws, all three of her children and grandchildren. Agnes is survived by her children, Linda (Rick) Gies, Merna (Joe) Boltz, and Darren (Lita) Conlin. Grandchildren Jason (Merina) Gies, Devon & Colton Gies, Cassandra & Brad Boltz, Marley & Paige Conlin. Brothers Charlie (Aggie) Lefebvre, Edgar (Lillian) Lefebvre, Leo (Joanne) Lefebvre and Ray (Jeannie) Lefebvre, sisters Jeannette (Murray) Smith and Glenna Lefebvre, numerous nieces & nephews. Niece to Rene, Paul, Harry & George Jeannotte. Agnes left us to join her mom and dad, along with sister Bea and brother Ted. She leaves behind many memories and we know she will always be with us.
A prayer service was held on Sunday, October 11, 2009 at 7:00pm at the Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church. On Tuesday, October 13, 2009 a memorial service was held with Father Michael Anyasoro officiating and inurnment followed in the Dawson Creek City Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Agnes, may be made by way of a donation to the:
"Dawson Creek & District Hospital Foundation for the Palliative Care Room".
Christina Erica Holtby
1909 - 2009
HOLTBY, Christina Erica, passed away peacefully at the Hythe Continuing Care Home on July 13th, 2009. Christina celebrated her 100th birthday in April, with a large group of family and friends who shared many happy memories and recollections.
A former resident of Pouce Coupe & Doe River, Christina most recently resided in Tumbler Ridge before moving to the Hythe Pioneer Home in 2006. She was predeceased by her husband Harold, in 1955, her second husband Redvers, in 1980 as well as her oldest son, Bob. Survivors include her son Bert (Joanne), daughter Helen (Lawrence), daughter (Doris), 10 grandchildren, several great grandchildren and many close friends. Many thanks to the caregivers at the Hythe Continuing Care Home, the Beaverlodge Hospital and Alice Reidel, who provided her so much comfort and friendship.
Memorial Tea to celebrate Christina’s 100 years of life was held on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at Bergeron’s Social Room, Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Christina, may be made by way of a donation to the charity of your choice.
Helen Kepecz ( Wajda )
1926-2009
Helen Kepecz of Dawson Creek, BC passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on October 8, 2009.
Helen was born May 3, 1926 in Pacin Zemplen, Hungary. She came to Canada at the age of 3 spending most of her life in Port Colborne, Welland & Fonthill Ont. Helen met George Kepecz in 1947 they married a short 3 months later. Helen had their first daughter Rosemarie in 1949 followed by Karen in 1952 and Gary in 1955.
Helen and George retired to cottage country in the Lakefield area in 1983 spending 6 years enjoying the peace and quiet before moving to Dawson Creek to be closer to their son and daughter.
Helen was happy to be at home with her children, and expand on her Hungarian culinary skills. She was well known for her amazing cabbage rolls and Hungarian pastries. If you came to visit Helen would always make sure your tummy was full when you left regardless of whether you were hungry or not.
Helen loved to visit and play cards with friends and family as well as go for long scenic Sunday drives. Helen was a very loving person, it didn’t matter if you made a mistake or not she would always pick out the best in people. She was a very forgiving person and never held a grudge against anyone. Helen was a very quiet and gentle person always having a nice word for everyone she met. Her family meant everything to her, she was very proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. They could always bring a smile to her face.
Throughout her long illness Helen kept her “quirky” sense of humour. She enjoyed the time she had with her family and friends, never losing her kindness or gratitude. Helen truly was one of a kind. Helen had a special fondness for her superb caregivers. They brought much joy to her final days. Helen was a very special woman and will truly be missed by all the people that had a pleasure of being part of her life. She touched many people with her thoughtfulness and kindness and will never be forgotten. She will live forever in our hearts.
Helen was predeceased by her mother and father Rose and Steve Wajda, brothers Steve and Joe Wajda and her sister Betty Scapillato ( Wajda )
Richmond Charles Feere
1949 – 2009
Richmond Charles Feere, better known as Rick, was born April 9th, 1949 in Swan River, Manitoba to parents Leona Bell Keetch and William Herb Feere. He was the youngest of four children. Rick passed away at sixty years of age on October 1, 2009 in Edmonton, Alberta. His final place of residence was Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.
Rick spent his early years in Swan River. His sister Vangie remembers him at two and a half years old when his mother was looking all over for him and finally she found him in the garden. His curly, blonde hair was poking up above the potato patch. When he heard is mother calling he jumped up buck naked, covered in dirt, and started high tailing it to the neighbor’s. Banging on the door he called, “Hide Nana, mama come!”
Years later “little Ricky” would play with his brother Vic’s BB gun. His favorite target was the stove pipe. Every time he hit it, soot would fly out, filling the room and everything in it. It wasn’t until he hit his father in the back of the head that he really got into trouble!
Rick will be remembered for his laugh and his sense of humor. He found humor everywhere, even searching for jokes on the internet.
A couple of weeks ago Rick was sitting in the kitchen with Joan and granddaughter Desiree when he went to lean back in his chair and fell flat on the floor. He laid there laughing at himself.
While living in Fraser Lake, British Columbia, Rick and his friend Sonny were heading out duck hunting and this stranger overheard and asked if he could tag along. They said sure, so the stranger said he’d just run and change since he was all decked out in a three piece suit. Minutes later the stranger returned still wearing his suit, but he had added a pair of industrial boots!
Off they went, jumping into the canoe – shot some ducks, and they had a great time. Finally it’s time to head home, and they were talking about the salmon run, so the stranger leans over to look and sure enough the canoe tips. Everyone goes into the water! Sonny grabs for the shotguns and yells at Rick, “Grab a shotgun!!!” Rick just laughs and says, “Stand up, Sonny, the water’s only a foot and a half deep!”
Rick was a strong, hard-working man. As a heavy-duty mechanic, he worked at many mines such as Endako, Highmont, Quintette, Huckleberry, Diavik, Ledcore and lastly Western Canadian.
It’s no secret that Rick had many interests: darts, quading, fishing, shooting pool, hunting, and of course golf. While golfing with his son-in-law Allan, he would wait for Allan to tee up and then ‘accidentally’ drop his clubs or tap him with a club. He also got a chuckle out of pounding Allan’s tees into the ground.
Of course, he loved his music… all kinds, from Led Zeppelin to Johnny Horton’s North to Alaska.
Rick’s family and many friends meant the world to him. He was always willing to help out. As a father to Lloyd and Tammy he was always there with sound advice and guidance. He would be calm and soothing in emergencies. He was their rock.
As a husband of thirty-eight years he was attentive, dedicated and surprisingly romantic. He would hold Joan’s hand and serenade her while driving his diesel. He would listen to the lyrics and tell her, “That’s how I feel about you, babe.” He loved Joan with all his heart right up until the end, when he fought long and hard to stay with her. He was always more worried about her than about himself.
Tammy says the only time her dad broke down in front of her was when Joan was in the hospital and he was so upset; saying, “He didn’t know what he’d do without her.” Rick’s dad was a Vet and his Legion membership was an honor and a privilege. He also served on the Executive of the Tumbler Ridge Golf Club with his buddy Doug Ennis. He enjoyed working on the course with Jay and Casey.
He was a proud grandpa to Layton, Desiree and Mitchell. He loved Layton’s easy-going personality, Desiree’s teasing and Mitchell’s sense of adventure.
Predeceasing Rick were his parents Herb and Leona, and his sister Betty.
He will be fondly remembered by his wife Joan; his daughter Tammy (Allan), and their children Mitchell and Desiree; by his son Lloyd (Laura) and their son Layton; his sister Vangie and brother Vic and their families; as well as sister-in-law Sharon and family; and his many nieces, nephews and friends.
A Memorial Service was held on October 10, 2009 at the Royal Canadian Legion, Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. Expressions of sympathy may be made by way of donation to the “British Columbia Heart & Stroke Foundation”
