TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

Dorothy “Sylvia” King-Brown

1918 – 2016

It is with the deepest regret that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Dorothy “Sylvia” King-Brown (nee Dunn) on Saturday, March 19, 2016. She was without a doubt the wisest and most compassionate woman we have ever known.

Sylvia is survived by her devoted husband, Richard, three children Michael (Brenda), Robert (Jenny) and Elaine (Clair) Forestell, six grandchildren (Shannon, Erin, Tara, Megan, Lindsay, John) and three great-grandchildren (Aiden, Ryker, Emily). She was predeceased by one grandson, Stephen, and a step-grandson, Michael.

Sylvia came into the world with quite a bang, having been born during a Zeppelin raid in Hull, Yorkshire on March 12, 1918. She enjoyed a loving childhood with her parents in Yorkshire with her best memories being from the days at Totleys, a small farm and gravel pit her mother owned. She had one younger brother, John, who predeceased her in 1985. Sylvia, as a young woman, studied French for a year in Lausanne, Switzerland. She then trained in elocution and the speech arts at the Royal Academy in London, thinking of a career in radio. Those plans were shelved with the start of the Second World War as her father insisted she return to Yorkshire.

It was the War that brought Sylvia and Dick together. They met through mutual friends while Dick was stationed with the RAMC in Halifax (near Hull). It was truly love at first sight and four weeks later they were engaged! They were married on February 2, 1944, after Dick returned from a year’s tour of duty in the Middle East and Italy. When Michael was born in April, 1945, Dick was away again with the Army in India and the Far East – like so many mothers of that time she could not be sure she would ever see him again!

Fortunately, he did return and entered Internal Medicine training in London. Robert was born in February, 1949. In 1952, they made the huge decision to immigrate to Canada as job opportunities for specialists in Britain were very limited. They settled initially in Picture Butte – a major shock to their system coming from the teeming city of London to a tiny prairie town of 1500 people! With no paved roads and a leaky trailer for a house in a very rainy August, Sylvia always said she was glad there wasn’t any money to return to England because she just might have entertained the idea! The kindness of neighbours and finding a nice house to rent made the difference, and they embraced the Canadian life and never looked back.

They moved to Lethbridge in 1954 and have lived here ever since. Elaine was born in September, 1956, and their family was complete. Sylvia was very busy during the early days of Dick’s career as she was wife, mother, and telephone answering service all at the same time! They entered gratefully into the faith community of St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, and she was the driving force of the Altar Guild there for many years. She was also a founding member of the Lethbridge Symphony Chorus when it began in 1965 and sang with them for many years.

Mum remembered well her literary arts training and could always be counted upon to have an appropriate quote (usually a poem) for any occasion! Years later she could still recite so many poems she had studied when she was younger. Her love of literature has been passed on to all her children and grandchildren. She was also a prodigious knitter and we especially loved the Aran sweaters she would produce for us.

Mum’s greatest gift though was that of welcoming all comers into her world. She treated everybody with the dignity, respect and kindness that all humans deserve – no matter what their standing in life. Her ability to always see the best in a person enabled her to be such a good friend and confidante for so many who came her way. She truly exemplified how to live the “Golden Rule”.

Sylvia will be greatly missed by so many but we know her spirit and love will live on in all of us who knew her. She lived her 98 years to the fullest and is now at rest.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00AM on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at ST. AUGUSTINE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 411 – 11 Street South, Lethbridge AB., with Canon James Robinson officiating.

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

ANGELINE MARTHA KURUTZ, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Sunday, March 20, 2016 at the age of 67 years.

Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed.

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

It is with deep sorrow that the Lidstone family announces that BERTRAM GERALD “GERRY” LIDSTONE, beloved husband of Doris (nee Purchase) Lidstone, of Lethbridge, AB passed away peacefully after a sudden illness on March 18, 2016 at the age of 70 years.

Besides his loving wife of 49 years, Doris, Gerry is survived by four wonderful sons: Nils “David”, his wife Anne, and their sons Tristan, Alec, and Cayd; Fox “Todd”, his wife Whitney and their son Griffin; Derek, his wife Karin, and their sons Merek, Bergen and Evret; and Greg, his wife Jill, and their daughters Ella and Abby. He is also survived by his siblings Gloria, Betty, Deanne, Dennis, Kathy, Glen and Gail. He was predeceased by his parents, Bert and Mildred Lidstone, and his sister Vera.

Gerry was born in Botwood, NFLD, and spent his early years there, graduating from Botwood High School. Gerry started working at the Bank of Montreal in Botwood, NFLD when he was 18 years old, spending fifty years working for BMO branches across the Maritimes before transferring to Lethbridge in 1992 to take the position of regional manager for Lethbridge and area. He eventually retired from banking and became a financial advisor for Nesbitt Burns. Gerry was active in the Rotary, the University of Lethbridge Senate and as a member of Southminster United Church. Gerry was known and loved by many people in the community, and his loss will be felt deeply by all whose lives he touched.

A Viewing will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME – 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB. on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M.

A Celebration of Gerry’s Life will be held at SOUTHMINSTER UNITED CHURCH – 1011 4th Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB. on Thursday, March 24th, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor James Grunden officiating. A lunch social will follow in the church hall. All who would like to celebrate Gerry’s life are welcome to attend.

Gerry will take his final trip home to Botwood this coming summer, with the Interment of his ashes at the Botwood Cemetery.

In memory of Gerry, and in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his honour to the Heart and Stroke Foundation – PO Box 2211, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 4K7.

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

PETRUS “PIERRE” MAASAKKERS, beloved husband of Gayle Maasakkers, of Lethbridge, passed away at the St. Michael’s Health Centre – Palliative Care Unit, on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the age of 71 years.

He was born on October 7, 1944 in Gemert, Netherlands to John and Antonia Maasakkers. When he was nine, his family left their home in Holland and sailed to Canada, where they lived in Raymond and High River but ended up calling Spring Coulee home. In 1968, he married Donna Battist. They moved to Bradshaw, where they had two children, Renee and Darren. It was also there that Pierre started his trucking company, Flying Dutchman Transport, which he ran for 17 years.

In 1987, he married Gayle Anderson, and proudly became step-father to Tracy, Jason, and Terry (Tank). Pierre was a mechanic by trade for most of his life; a skill he inherited from his dad. He loved tinkering in his garage; his favourite hobby recently was to build quads for his grandchildren to ride on. He had a special love of music and often entertained people with his guitar and banjo playing. In the mornings, you could always find him at the kitchen table doing his crossword puzzles.

Family meant everything to Pierre, he was a proud father and a wonderful grandpa. He is survived by his loving wife, Gayle, his children, Renee (Dale), Darren, Tracy (Greg), and Terry (Shannon) and his grand-children, Jonathan, Steele, Cruz and Cash.

The family would like to thank the staff at St. Michael’s Care Centre for their loving care and support during Pierre’s final days. Gayle would also like to extend a special thank you to her colleagues at Extendicare for their tremendous support during this difficult time.

A Celebration of Pierre’s Life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME – 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta, on Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016 at 11:00 A.M.

Pierre will then be laid to rest at the Spring Coulee Cemetery and all are welcome to attend.

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

1922 – 2016

Mrs. Violet “Vi” Mueller of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mr. Henry Mueller passed away on Sunday, March 20, 2016 at the age of 93 years.

Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.

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

ALVIN MARK NORTH PEIGAN, passed away at the Foothills Medical Centre, on Friday, March 18, 2016 at the age of 55 years.

Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed.

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

1915 – 2016

Mr. Kazimierz “Kaz” Terajewicz of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Mrs. Barbara Terajewicz passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Sunday, March 20, 2016 at the age of 100 years.

Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.

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

1927 – 2016

Lydia Toth went home to be with her Lord and Saviour on Friday, March 18, 2016 at the age of 88.

Lydia was born in Szendro, Hungary on June 1, 1927. She crossed the vast Atlantic Ocean to Canada at the young age of 2. Her early years were spent in Raymond and Hardieville before moving to the family farm just south of Shaughnessy in 1939. Here she lived, went to school and helped the family. After finishing formal school, she took a sewing course at Singer Sewing Machine Company. Her talents were immediately recognized and upon completion of the course was offered a position there. In 1952 the family farm was sold and they all moved to Lethbridge. On October 27, 1956 Lydia married Les Toth. Together they raised two precious children; a daughter Vivian and a son Calvin. Lydia stayed home for a time, intermittently working at Singers. She was offered a position teaching sewing at the Lethbridge Community College then at Stretch and Sew before opening her own fabric store, Variety Fabrics, later branching into Lydia’s Fabrics and Bridal, which she owned and operated for 30 years. She loved dressing her brides!

Lydia was a stalwart member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Women’s Federation and Ruby Walker Group, highly involved in the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization, and an enthusiastic volunteer at the Lethbridge Food Bank. She loved her dolls, crafts, cooking and baking.

Lydia will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Les, of almost 60 years; her daughter Vivian (Garry) Malmo and granddaughters Rachelle, Tamara and Sasha; and her son Calvin (Ildiko) Toth and grandsons Joshua, Jordan, and Damon.

She is also lovingly remembered by two surviving brothers; Steve (Mary) Kovacs and Andrew (Carol) Kovacs. She was predeceased by her parents John and Lidia, three sisters, and two brothers.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects between 7:00PM and 9:00PM on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 4th St. S. Lethbridge.

A celebration of Lydia’s life will be held at 1:30PM on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at ST. ANDREW’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1818-5th Ave South, Lethbridge.

Internment to follow.

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

CORNELIS “CASEY” VERSCHOOR, passed away at home suddenly, on Friday, March 18, 2016 at the age of 85 years.

Born, raised and educated in Holland, Case immigrated to Canada with his family in 1952. He farmed in Rainier from 1959 to 1989, when he retired to Lethbridge.

Case is survived by one brother, John (Edna) Verschoor and five sisters, Anne Nyenhuis, Janny Kalf, Betty Groenenboom, Cobie (Arie) Den Hollander and Nel (John) Van Es as well as many of his siblings’ children and grandchildren, who all knew him as Uncle Case. He was predeceased by his parents, infant brother and three brothers-in-law.

Case enjoyed volunteering at Bibles For Missions and at the Interfaith Food Bank. He was a proud long time member of the Lethbridge Christian Men’s Choir.

Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB, on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M.

A Memorial Service will be held at TRINITY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, 1100 – 40th Avenue North, Lethbridge, AB on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. with Reverend Hank Vander Woerd officiating.

A Private Family Interment will be held prior to the Memorial Service at Mountain View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish can make a memorial donation to Rehoboth Christian Ministries, 520 – 4th Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 0N5.

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