TUESDAY, February 1, 2022

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on February 1, 2022.

BOSCHMAN

LYDIA “GRACE” BOSCHMAN, beloved wife of Henry Boschman, of Coaldale, passed away peacefully at home, on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at the age of 65 years.

Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

COMA

PETER COMA, beloved husband of Ann Coma, passed away peacefully at Good Samaritans Park Meadows Village, on Sunday, January 30, 2022, at the age of 90 years.

Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

Andrea Habijanac

1924 – 2022

Mrs. Andrea Habijanac of Coaldale, beloved wife of the late Mr. Rudy Habijanac, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at the age of 97 years.

Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.

Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

LaVerne Hisako Hamabata
This is a tribute to my wife of 45 years, LaVerne Hisako Hamabata, my life partner. She was born May 13, 1941 in Lethbridge, AB and passed away on January 28, 2022.

She expressed her gratitude to those whose paths she crossed for making these “80 marvelous years”. She loved all kinds of music, movement especially dance, nature and children. LaVerne was fiercely loyal and defended her family against any criticism. She filled our home with love and compassion and our years together gave us many happy moments in Lethbridge and on our travels including a year in France. Together we worked on making our home a warm place to raise our family.

LaVerne was Administrative Assistant to the Plant Science Section at the Research Station for 23 years and then became a full-time mother and wife, much to the delight of her family. We want to thank the Bigelow Fowler staff, EMS paramedics, ER staff, the Home Care nurses, Palliative Care and MAID teams who cared for LaVerne in her final months battling cancer. Thanks to Terry and Josh of the Nord-Bridge Medicine Shoppe for their patience and help with LaVerne’s medicines. The care and friendship of dear friends made the final journey less arduous.

LaVerne is survived by her loving husband, David Major, son Ian (Raeni) and daughter Noriko Hessmann (Sean) and three much-loved grandchildren, Aiko, Anouck and Cypris. The sun rose and set on her grandchildren although she didn’t see them as often as she would have liked. She is also survived by her siblings, Happy Smith, Nadine Hamabata, Duane Hamabata, Louise (Jim) Harrison, brother-in-law Joe Prins and Lindsay (Cindy) Hamabata and their children and by sisters-in-law Frances (Al) Paulisson, Elspeth (Peter) King, and Queade (Bruno) DiIlio and their children. LaVerne was predeceased by her parents, Kamasuke and Chiduka Hamabata, her dear sister Cheryl Prins, brother-in-law, Murray Smith, and by parents-in-law Helen and David Major Sr.

She asked me to thank her dear friends, April and her family, Iris and Wes and family, and Marlene, for their deep and enduring friendship and support over the years. She treasured the times growing up and growing old with the members of the Coaldale and Honpa Buddhist Churches and the Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta for their unfaltering friendship, humour and love. Special mention also to a mangy little kitten who showed up one day and then spent the rest of his life filling the hole left when our two kids went off to find their place in this world. My life partner spent her life living as a Bodhi Sattva, a person who is able to reach nirvana but delays doing so out of compassion in order to save suffering beings. She
knew that peace comes from within, do not seek it without.

At LaVerne’s request, there will be no funeral service. In lieu of Koden or flowers, those who wish may make a donation to the BC & Alberta Guide Dogs Society or to the Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta.
A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca

JOHNSON, James William

December 30, 1936 – Picture Butte, Alberta

January 26, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

James William “Bill” Johnson of Okotoks, Alberta passed away on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at the age of 85 years.

Bill was born in Picture Butte and spent his early years in Southern Alberta. He attended Coalinga College in California on a football scholarship, then Northern Arizona University and graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Master of Education.

Bill played professional football in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders, Montreal Alouettes, Ottawa Roughriders, where he met his wife Cathy and retired from the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts. Bill and Cathy were married on November 6, 1965, and then moved to Lethbridge, Alberta where they lived for over 35 years and raised their family.

Following football, he enjoyed his career as a schoolteacher and coach in Montreal and Lethbridge as well as counsellor at the Lethbridge Community College. He also had many successful entrepreneurial ventures ranging from restaurant ownership, Midas Muffler franchises to a resort development in the Bahamas and many more.

Bill was well travelled, enjoyed golfing, skiing, scuba diving, fishing and had a love for all sports. In the late 1970’s Bill and Cathy built a second family home in Whitefish, Montana where they enjoyed many great family memories for over 40 years.

We will miss his amazing sense of humor, all his great stories and those great big bear hugs. He loved and was loved dearly by so many, was always there with a helping hand and touched many lives.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Carol, and Ian Kirby; son and daughter-in-law, Tom Johnson and Sangita Prasad; grandchildren Joe, Pat and Matt Kirby, Aidan, and Anjali Johnson; sisters Verna Enyeart, Pat DiTomaso; brothers Al, Don, and Bob Johnson; sisters-in-law Gail, Lynn and Diane Johnson along with many extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Florence (nee Harrison) and wife Cathy Johnson (nee Jongerius).

Memorial Services will be held at McInnis and Holloway Fish Creek Chapel (14441 Bannister Road SE) on Thursday, February 3, 2022, at 2:00pm MST with reception to follow in the Hospitality Center at the funeral home. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join via live stream on the day of the service. Those attending will be asked to provide valid government identification (with name, picture, and date of birth) AND confirm one of the following: (a) provincial vaccine record with QR code; or (b) negative COVID test within 72 hours; or (c) valid medical exemption (signed letter); or (d) under twelve (12) years of age. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed on Bill’s obituary at http://www.mcinnisandholloway.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canada Heart and Stroke Foundation at http://www.heartandstroke.ca. The family would like to extend thanks to the staff at South Health Campus in Calgary and The Oilfield General Hospital in Black Diamond.

In living memory of James Johnson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.

LeRoy (Lee) Mapplebeck

1938 – 2022

LeRoy (Lee) Mapplebeck of Lethbridge, AB, passed away on January 26th 2022, with his soulmate and beloved wife of 60 years Sharon (Mosher), and son David by his side.

Born in Kingsport, NS, he met and married Sharon in Kentville, NS where they started their adventure in 1961. Lee began his 40-year banking career with the Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank) in Kentville. His career took him across Canada working at branches, regional, and executive offices until retiring in Lethbridge in 1999.

In retirement he enjoyed woodworking and particularly growing roses which were his pride and joy. All who knew him will remember his sense of humour which belied a deep love and caring for everyone which stayed with him through his illness.

In addition to his wife and son he is survived by his sister Shari (Peter) Guinta, and family Peter Mosher, John Clark, Mary Jean Anakin, Linda (Mike) Kennie, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family expresses special thanks Dr. Dean Ruether and his team at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary, and Dr. Hollis Roth with Palliative Care Lethbridge, and the entire Home Care team.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made in Lee’s name to the Canadian Cancer Society, 325 Manning Rd NE #200, Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 or a charity of your choice.

Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

TRAVALIA

Oct. 13, 1927 – Jan. 27, 2022

WALTER PETRO TRAVALIA, beloved husband of the late Catherine Travalia, passed away at St. Michael’s Health Centre, on Thursday, January 27, 2022, at the age of 94.

Walter is survived by his daughter Joan Carter, grandsons Tim (Dianne) Carter, Terry (Shelley) Carter and great- grandchildren Larae, Marshall, Nicole and Blake, as well as his sister Beth Walker and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his beloved wife, he was predeceased by his son-in-law Ben Carter, parents Petro and Florence, brother William and sister Evelyn.

Walter was born in Taber, AB, and moved to Coalhurst, where he spent his early years helping his dad run a gas station in Kipp. He married the love of his life in 1945 and he and Catherine spent the next 70 wonderful years together.

He drove truck for Speedy Hauling and MacDonalds Consolidated until his retirement. He enjoyed camping and especially spending time with his family.

A private family service will be held.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

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