Aurelia Elzbieta Kotnis
June 28, 2011
Born in Poland on June 10th, 1927. In her working years she was a teacher and a school principal. She was survived by two children: son Bogdan with his wife Jola and daughter Jola; 4 grandsons: Greg with his wife Emily, Jakub, Michael and Mark; and one great granddaughter Parker Jane. Aurelia passed away peacefully on June 4, 2011 in Port Moody, BC Canada with her daughter Jola at her side.
Rest in peace.
Maria (Mary) Struthers
June 28, 2011
Passed away peacefully in McKenney Creek Hospice, Maple Ridge, on June 25th, 2011, in her 87th year. Cancer took her life, but not her spirit. Mom’s mantra was to “accept that which cannot be changed” as she bravely tolerated each stage of her illness . And, as always, she took great interest in those around her, rather than thinking of herself. Mom was born on September 15th, 1924, in Herbert, Saskatchewan, to Abe and Helena Klassen. They moved to Pitt Meadows, B.C. when she was 17, and soon after, she found work at Consolidated Grocers, known locally as “Struthers’ Store”, where she met the love of her life, Bob Struthers. They married in 1945, had two children, and made a good life for their family. Eventually, Mom became Pitt Meadows’ first hairdresser, operating “Mary’s Beauty Salon” for a number of years. In 1974, they retired to Bowser, on Vancouver Island. Dad passed away in 1982, and some years later, Mom moved to the neighbouring community of Deep Bay, where she lived in her seaside cottage until October 2010. At that time she moved in with her daughter and son-in-law in Maple Ridge, and two months later was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Mom had many skills and talents, but perhaps her greatest gift was that of making others welcome in her home; the coffee pot was always on. Our childhood and teen years were enriched by the knowledge that our parents made all of our friends feel welcome and valued; the kitchen was the hub of our home, and our big oak table was often surrounded by friends, young and old, and family, and by love and laughter. Mom delighted in feeding people, and would set out her homemade sweets, bread and cinnamon buns for all to enjoy. She was also a very determined woman; when she took on a project, she gave it her all. This trait helped to give her brother-in-law Jack a much better quality of life than he would otherwise have had. He lived in a second house on our property, because he was too unwell to be on his own, and Mom managed his very challenging dietary needs for many years. And now, her once-busy hands are still. Rest easy, Mom; you have earned it. Mourning her loss are: her son John (Gwen) and daughter Jean Abbott (Pat); five grandchildren:
Anne (Neil) , Kim (Ed) , Katie, Brandon (Lisa), Tennille (Brent); six great-grandchildren: Glen, Brody,
Rayven, Kayden, Kyeran and Arwyn; her brothers: Ed and Ken Klassen; her sister Olga Godfrey; her
aunt, Justina Doerksen, as well as many nieces and nephews, and many friends. Predeceased by her
sister Helen Doerksen, and by three brothers: Hank, Tony and Les . Special thanks to the Palliative Care team who came to our home, and also to the nurses, volunteers and all other staff of McKenney Creek hospice; Mom had the best of care during her 8 weeks’ stay. No service by request; a private family celebration of her life will take place later in the summer.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Canadian Cancer Society, or to McKenney Creek
Hospice, in her memory.
Johannes “Joe” Catrinus Loman
June 27, 2011
Sept 4, 1928 – June 22, 2011
It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of our dear husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Opa. He leaves behind his loving wife Ida of 53 years; daughter JoAnn (Eit), daughter Nancy (Lyle), son Joey (Lynn), grandchildren Liana, Nick, Tessa, Grace, and many relatives and friends.
Dad was born in Holland and immigrated to Canada June 23, 1950. In 1957, he married his Love, Ida. He worked extremely hard to make a better life for his family. He will be deeply missed and always remembered.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Joey’s home on Saturday, July 9 at 2:00pm. No flowers. Donations to the charity of your choice.
Christine Hanzuk
June 20, 2011
born April 3, 1920 at Toronto, Ontario passed away June 16, 2011 in Maple Ridge, B.C. Predeceased by Hank Hanzuk. Survived by her only daughter Joan, son-in-law Joe Kiss, and 3 granddaughters; Nancy (Bob) McKenzie, Stacey (Rob) Nickel, and Sheila (Adrian) Karleen – as well as 5 great grandchildren; Ashley, Christopher, Stephanie, Tyler, Justin, and 1 Great-great grandson, Austin. A specific thanks to Dr. Milewski and Holyrood Staff for all their care and support. A Celebration of Life was held on June 20, 2011 form 1:00-3:00 at Garden Hill Funeral Chapel, in Maple Ridge B.C.
Roy Arthur Belanger
June 20, 2011
Roy Arthur Belanger, 72, passed away due to complications of liver cancer Sunday, June 12, 2011 at Ridge Meadows Hospital. He was born August 6, 1938 in New Westminster, B.C. Canada to Joseph Philemon Arthur Belanger and Molly Mc Murray Angelo Belanger. He was preceded in death by all his grandparents, his father Philemon, in 1953, his step father Lucian in 1979 and his mother Molly in 2008, as well as many aunts and uncles. He leaves to mourn his sister, Joan Belanger Oliver and husband Bill, his Aunts Jean and May and several cousins, lots of friends.
Roy lived a full life. He worked in the oilfields in Alberta for a time, then went to work for the Hudson’s Bay Company. He worked for Shaw’s Meats and Groceries in Athabasca, Alberta, and later on worked in Banff as a meat cutter. He spent 30 years with Canada Safeway as a meat cutter, retiring 10 years ago. He enjoyed hiking, visiting his sister in the US, also trips to Hawaii, Mexico, Cuba, as well as photography and gardening. His yard was a showplace of flowers all times of the year. He was a member of the local camera club for many years. He also enjoyed riding motorcycles and owned several throughout the years. He enjoyed music of all sorts, listening to music and playing his electronic organ and piano. He also had great artistic talent, winning art contests in his younger days.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 25 at 10:00 am at the Garden Hill Mortuary at 11765 – 224th St, Maple Ridge, BC, Canada, Ph 604-463-8161. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the B.C. Cancer Society for research into curing colon cancer or to the Ridge Meadows hospital Auxiliary in his memory. Our thanks to and our great appreciation of all the fine Doctors and Nurses who helped try to care for him through his most trying and painful time making him as comfortable as possible at Abbotsford, Royal Columbian, Vancouver General and Ridge Meadows Hospitals.
Joyce Elizabeth McCubbin
June 17, 2011
(also known as Joy Murray) August 24, 1941 – June 13, 2011. Joy passed away peacefully on Monday, June 13, 2011 at Ridge Meadows Hospital, surrounded by her son Ronald (Ron) Murray and her friends Clarence Wells and Cathy Rieu. She was 69. Joy is survived by her son, her brother Robert (Bob) McCubbin and her granddaughter Sarah Murray. Joy was born in Toronto, Ontario and moved to Vancouver, British Columbia in 1976. She was proud of her efforts at helping youth in care (particularly First Nations) and loved animals (having had several German Sheppards and African Grey Parrots over the course of her life). “Grandma Joy” had a very special place in her heart for her granddaughter. When she learned that she had cancer, she faced each day with courage, acceptance and wisdom. She will be remembered for her strong will, independence and quick wit (which she kept until the very end). At Joy’s request, no funeral service will be held. Her ashes will be interned at the Maple Ridge Columbaria Garden.
Agnes Geraldine Gauthier
June 13, 2011
born August 2, 1922 in Ste.Anne, Alberta and passed away June 11, 2011 in Maple Ridge, B.C. Predeceased by her husband Adelard and one son Maurice. Survived by daughter Mary May; daughter-in-law Maureen; 3 grandsons James, Trevor(Dana) and Ryan(Cindy); 6 great grandchildren Daemeon, Joshawa, Ashley, Mikinley, Marley, and Ayla. Special thanks to Dr. Melewski and Holyrood staff for all their care and support. Celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
Thank you to all the people who attended our seminar on estate planning – look for our next series of seminars starting in the early Fall
June 10, 2011
WATCH OUR WEBSITE -
LOCAL PAPERS AND MEDIA FOR OUR NEXT SERIES OF SEMINARS STARTING IN THE EARLY FALL
We are committed to provide the best service to you and your family and really want to help provide the easiest way for you to get information that isn’t easily available. Better yet, the seminars we provide are FREE!
Below is an example of what we have done just recently and we will now take a break for the summer and look forward to offering these again in the Fall.
FREE SEMINAR: Understand the legal and funeral procedures for a loved one or yourself.
Proudly offered by Garden Hill Funeral Chapel and Becker & Company
- What to do when a death is expected and when it occurs.
- Who has resposibility to make arrangements under the Cremation, Interment, and Funeral Services Act of BC
- How to navigate typical issues of blended families that minimize conflict
- How Funeral preplanning can be beneficial
- The most cirtical things an executor should know
Gary (Big Gar) Sollitt
June 10, 2011
Jan 17 1940 – June 7 2011
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend. Gary is deeply loved and missed by his wife of 26 years Margaret and is predeceased by his wife Betty. Gary was born in Edmonton, AB and moved to BC in 1976, where he spent his remaining years in the lower mainland. He leaves behind his daughter Debbie (Robert) and son Darin (Cheryl); Stepdaughters Joanne, Tracy (Mike), Dana, Lauri and Kelly. Grandchildren: Nicole, Sarah, Emilie, Ashley, Bradley, Nathan, Audrey (Darcy), William (Stephanie), Erik (Erin), Michael, Kirk, Ashley, Sara, Kenneth, Christian, and Joshua. Great Grandchildren: Ethan, Kurtis, Dreya, and Presley. And Chili. Gary retired from Canadian Airlines in 1995 and had a passion for travelling. He and Margaret enjoyed many trips to Hawaii, Mexico and numerous cruises.
At Gary’s request no formal service is planned the family will have a private celebration of his life. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the BC Childrens hospital
We will miss you Pappa you are forever in our hearts.