September 19th, 2024

Thursday, August 3, 2023


By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on August 3, 2023.

VANDERLEEST, Bill Bill Vanderleest
1950 – 2023
Willem Vanderleest, passed away in Lethbridge on Monday, July 31, 2023 at the age of 73 years.
Bill’s friends are invited to a reception at his sister Vena’s residence in Taber on Friday, August 4, 2023 between 2:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. For directions and to RSVP, please call (403) 223-8427 or (403) 330-9475. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com.
Bill leaves to mourn his siblings Vena (Gerrit de Jong) Vandersteen of Taber, Rika Vanderleest of Lethbridge, Cory (Diane) Vanderleest of Sooke, British Columbia and their families.
He was predeceased by his parents Jacob and Tina Vanderleest, his sister Tina Vanderleest, brother-in-law Jerry Vandersteen, niece Audrey Procee and nephew Rylan Procee.
Bill was an avid Lethbridge Hurricanes fan and never missed any games. He walked in minus 30 degree weather and sports was his life. He will be missed by his family and friends.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Bill’s name may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200, 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, Alberta T2E 2P5 (www.cancer.ca).
Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.

CHAMBERS, Suzie SUZIE CHAMBERS 1960 – 2023 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Suzie Chambers, on Friday, July 28, 2023, at the age of 62 years.
Suzie was born in Sept-Iles, Quebec, on October 19, 1960, the daughter of Marie-Marthe Toutant and Martin Chambers. Suzie was married to Alain Dumont and was the mother of her three adored sons Maxime, Samuel, and Paul.
Suzie moved to Alberta in 1987 where she started a 35-year career teaching in Francophone and French Immersion schools. She was beloved by her students, many of whom would make time to wish Mme. Chambers well when they saw her around town. She was deeply loved by her colleagues, as she brought a passion for education, for music, for games and for creativity in all her classes.
Suzie was a bright light in many people’s lives. She was deeply involved within the Francophone community of Lethbridge. Her kind heart, inquisitive mind and unwavering bravery to advocate for those less fortunate animated her until the very end. She would perform with musical acts, singing improvised lyrics on the spot and demonstrating surprising talent with spoons for someone who had never learned to actually play them.
Suzie’s community extended far beyond Lethbridge, however. She worked with the province to improve French language education, got involved with international charities to support refugees and traveled to Togo with other educators to assist teachers in the country with the establishment of their curriculum.
Finally, to her friends and her family she was a constant source of support, cheer and inspiration. She would drop anything to help those she loved, and her heart seemingly knew no bounds. Be it with jokes, a cheesy action film or the simple joys of well-buttered toast, Suzie was always there.
On vous aimera pour toujours notre chére Suzie et nous savons que votre esprit demeurera toujours en nous.
Besides her beloved husband, Alain, Suzie is survived by her sons Maxime, Samuel, and Paul; brothers Jean-Rock (Diane), Benoit (Suzanne), Luc (Marie-Josée); sister Cathy (Marc); father-in-law Philippe; sister-in-law Louise and her brother-in-law Christian. She also leaves behind nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and colleagues who will all miss her dearly.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm, on Friday, August 4, 2023, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610, 4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta. To watch the service via livestream, please go to https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/Suzie-Chambers and scroll to the bottom of Suzie’s obituary page.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who are able to donate to the Jack Ady Cancer Centre in Lethbridge which offered great support to Suzie after her diagnosis. Donations can be made via the Alberta Cancer Foundation where it can be designated to the Jack Ady Cancer Centre: https://www.albertacancer.ca/donate/
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
SHUMAKER, Arnold ARNOLD SHUMAKER 1952 – 2021 Mr. Arnold Shumaker of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Mrs. Diane Shumaker and father to Braden (Lindsey), passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at the age of 68 years.
A Celebration of Arnold’s life will be held at 1:00 pm, on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at the ELKS HALL PICTURE BUTTE, 112, 4 STREET SOUTH, Picture Butte, Alberta.
Please dress casually, as that is what Arnold would have wanted!.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
STANDING ALONE, Amber Amber Standing Alone – Eagle Tail Feathers August 7, 1988 – July 28, 2023 It is with great sadness that the family of Amber Standing Alone – Eagle Tail Feathers, of the Blood Tribe, announce her sudden passing on July 28, 2023, at the age of 34.
A Wake Service will be held at Old Agency Hall, Blood Tribe, on Friday, August 4, 2023, from 5:00 PM until 11:00 PM.
A Funeral Service will be held at Old Agency Hall, Blood Tribe, on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at 1:00 PM. Following the Funeral Service, Amber will be laid to rest at a family plot, on the Blood Tribe.
Condolences may be sent through http://www.edensfuneralhome.com
GIACCHETTA, Georgina GIACCHETTA GEORGINA FRANCES GIACCHETTA, of Coaldale, beloved wife of the late Felix Giacchetta, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Sunday, July 23, 2023 at the age of 91 years.
A Prayer Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Friday, August 4, 2023 at 7:00 P.M. with Father Philip Le officiating.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. AMBROSE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1513 – 23 Avenue, Coaldale, AB, on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Philip Le celebrating.
Georgina will be laid to rest in a private Family Graveside in the Coaldale Community Cemetery at a later date.

To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
SWEN, Jonah SWEN JONAH MARK SWEN, passed away tragically while hiking with his dear friend Greg Gaudette, on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at the age of 35 years. We share our grief with Greg’s family.
Jonah is predeceased by his parents, Pjam and Franz Swen.
Jonah is survived by his spouse Grace Garratt, siblings Christine (Marco), Marjolein (Dimitri), Francesca (Michel), Miryam (James), Nicole (Steven), Ben (Nicole), nieces and nephews: Kim, Mark, Eline, Marsha, Kian, Mila, Tay, Will, Lily, Levi, Madison, Seth, Arlo, Lukas, Ruby, and a multitude of friends too numerous to count.
He loved helping others and could always be counted on to help in any difficult situation. Jonah found his passion for EMS early in life, and exemplified duty and commitment to care for every patient lucky enough to be cared for by him.
Family would especially like to thank Lethbridge Search and Rescue (LASARA), Fernie Search and Rescue, Sparwood Search and Rescue, Wildlife Conservation, and Crowsnest Pass RCMP Chris McKerracher and Natalie Stevenson for their exhaustive efforts in locating Jonah and Greg.
A Celebration of Jonah’s life will be held at the LETHBRIDGE EXHIBITION GROUNDS – South Pavilion, 3401 Parkside Drive South, Lethbridge, AB, on Friday, August 4, 2023 at 1:00 P.M. The Celebration of Life will be live-streamed and available for viewing on Jonah’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to LASARA, Sparwood Search and Rescue, Fernie Search and Rescue or the Jonah Swen and Greg Gaudette Memorial Fund.

To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
HORVATH, Robert “Bob” HORVATH The world lost a truly incredible man on Sunday, July 30th, 2023. Robert (Bob) Kenneth John Horvath passed away peacefully at his home.
Bob is survived by his wife Lindy and their son Kyle (Kandra). As well as his mother Marie; his brothers: John (Anna), David, Joe (Kathy); his sister Laura (Terry) Jorgenson; his sister-in-law Marisa (Ken) Hakstol; and nephews Rhys and Keilan Hakstol. He is also survived by his nieces: Jenny Horvath, Lindsey Horvath (Derek Schimanski), Grace (Gabe) Kastelic and their sons Jack and Felix, and Nadine Jorgenson; his nephews: Matthew (Caitlyn) Horvath and their son Carver, Riley Horvath (Samantha), Nathan Jorgenson and Adam Jorgenson; as well as numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
He was pre deceased by his father John; and his in-laws Mariano and Antonia Biscaglia.
Bob and Lindy knew each other from church. He was shy, but he could manage a smile and to say hello to her on the steps those Sundays. One day, he built up the courage to ask her out. He phoned her at home (God only knows where he got her number) one Sunday night. He asked Lindy if she would like to go to a dance recital with him. She of course said yes, unknown to her that she would meet at least half of his immediate family that evening. The rest being history they were happily married approaching 37 years this August.
Anyone who met Bob would be drawn to his positive and joyful energy that he seemed to exude. Ignoring the age-old rule of talking with strangers, he actively engaged with those unknown to him. Often by the end of a short shopping trip we’d find him comfortably making friends, imparting wisdom or reflecting on life and the weather.
Bob was born in Lethbridge on July 9th, 1958. He lived on the family farm until he married Lindy on August 24th, 1985. When first married they lived in a little White House on his uncle’s farm. A couple of years later they built their house a half mile away from where he grew up. They were blessed by having a son (Kyle) in March of 1989.
Bob worked on the farm most of his life. He liked farming, it was a step up from harrowing the dirt pile outside as a child. But his passion was always in cattle knowing every cow, calf and bull by number or name.
Later on, he worked at Southern Stationers during winters doing various jobs. He then spent 4 years with RPH Irrigation selling pivots and irrigation equipment. Followed by a 4-year term as a Lethbridge County Councillor for Division 3. He was shy as a child, but definitely thrived around people and conversation as he grew up.
Bob loved the outdoors, going camping and having fires in the evening. Although on camping trips he’d start the fire as soon as he got up.
He was a kind man, never had a bad word to say about anyone and was happy and grateful for each and every day. Even as he suffered from different ailments throughout his life, he always walked on the bright side of life.
Rest easy my love, we will both miss you forever.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory may be made to either the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada (heartandstroke.ca) or the Lethbridge Food Bank (lethbridgefoodbank.ca).

To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
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