FRIDAY, January 18, 2019

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on January 18, 2019.

BEEMAN

ARLENE CAROL BEEMAN, born on September 6, 1962 in Lethbridge Alberta, passed away from cancer on January 10, 2019.

She is loved and survived by her siblings: Virginia, Rick, Doug and Donna, and special friends in Lethbridge. She was predeceased by her mother Margaret and older brother Bob.

A Funeral Service will be held at Arlene’s home church – LETHBRIDGE CHRISTIAN TABERNACLE – 805 9th Avenue North, Lethbridge, AB on Saturday, January 19th, 2019 at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Barb Roycroft officiating.

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

Leroy Church

1931 – 2019

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Leroy “Johnny” Michael Church on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at the age of 87 years. The Funeral Service will be held at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 – 48 Avenue, Taber on Sunday, January 20, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. A private burial will follow at the Taber Memorial Garden. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com. Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.

DUECK

ROBERT MURRAY DUECK, beloved husband of Linda Dueck, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital surrounded by his loving family, on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at the age of 62 years.

He is survived by his wife and soulmate, Linda; daughter Natasha (Jason) and grandchildren, Kingston and Paxton; and son Byron; siblings, Deanna (Tony), Teri (Bernie), Carol (Dan), Randy (Candace), Sandy, and Darren (Brenda); mother in-law Lydia, in-laws, David (Mona) and Nancy (Shannon) and many nieces and nephews.

Murray was born in Coaldale to Alma & Aaron Dyck on June 19, 1956. Over the course of his life, he walked many different paths professionally; carpenter, farmer and Civil Technologist before ending his career as the General Manager of Daytona Homes Lethbridge in 2016.

Murray carried a deep appreciation for nature, which he expressed through fly fishing, hiking, biking, camping and mountain climbing with his beloved family and friends. He also had a passion for travel, which took him from the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to depths of the Crystal Caves of Belize.

In life, Murray loved much, and was much loved in return. He leaves behind many who will miss him greatly and will keep his memory close to their hearts.

A Come-and-Go Reception will take place at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB on Saturday, January 19, 2019 from 2:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M.

Any pictures of Murray you would like to share with the family would be greatly appreciated. In lieu of flowers and in memory of Murray, donations may be made to the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative: 200 – 1350 Railway Avenue, Canmore, Alberta, T1W 1P6, or online at http://www.y2y.net, or the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Jack Ady Cancer Centre, 960 – 19 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 1W5.

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

Erna Faulkner

1932 – 2019

Erna Faulkner (nee Reimer), passed away in Lethbridge on Sunday, January 13, 2019 at the age of 86 years. Erna will be privately remembered by her family. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com. Erna is survived by many friends and family members, who treasured her love, friendship, humor and witty comments. She loved music and sang in many church choirs and music groups. Through her years she enjoyed travel, reading, having fun times, working and sharing her life’s experiences. We will miss her a lot. We wish to thank the doctors, nursing staff, physio staff and all who cared for her while she was in the Chinook Regioanl Hospital, especially on 5a. Your care and understanding was so special. God bless you all. Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.

FOX

June Fox passed away in Portland, Oregon on January 12, 2019 at age 90. June Fox was born on July 30, 1928 in Cardston, Alberta, Canada to Victor and Isabel Bohnet. At age 18 she moved to Calgary, Canada to enroll in Nursing School. June married Neil Fox in 1951 in Calgary, Canada and moved to Red Deer, Canada. In 1965, she relocated to Beaverton, Oregon with her Husband and five children: Brian, Sandra, Judy, Kathy and Bradford, where she resumed nursing, specializing in Geriatric Care. June was very involved in the LDS Church and was an expert in Middle German Genealogy. In 1992 her husband Neil retired, and they moved back to Raymond, Canada. In 2010, Neil passed away and June returned to Oregon to live first with her daughter, Kathy in Scappoose, then with son Brad in St. Helens and finally with son Brian in Portland. She is survived by her Children: Brian, Judith (John), Sandra-Jane (Rick), Kathleen (Bryant) and Bradford (Rhonda) and Many Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. A funeral will be held for June at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 19th 2019 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5620 N Bowdoin St. in Portland. Burial for June will be at Temple Hill Cemetery in Raymond, Alberta, Canada on Saturday, January 26, 2019.

GEORGE

RICHARD “RICK” GEORGE passed away on January 15, 2019 at the age of 73 years. As per his wishes, cremation has taken place.

To send condolences, please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca

GIBBONS

DOUGLAS JOHN GIBBONS, of Picture Butte, passed away peacefully at the St. Michael’s Health Centre – Palliative Care Unit, surrounded by family on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at the age of 66 years.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. CATHERINE’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 762 Crescent Avenue, Picture Butte, AB, on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Ian Gagne celebrating.

Doug will be laid to rest in the Huntsville Cemetery.

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

GOMANY

MABEL GOMANY, beloved wife of John Gomany, of Stirling, passed away peacefully at the Raymond Health Centre surrounded by family, on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at the age of 78 years.

Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed.

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

HAMABATA

CHIDUKA HAMABATA, beloved wife of the late Kamasuke Hamabata, passed away on January 11, 2019 at the age of 100 years.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. at the BUDDHIST TEMPLE OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA, 470 – 40 St. S. Lethbridge, Alberta.

Friends are welcome to meet the family at SALMON & SONS FUNERAL HOME on Friday, January 18, 2019 from 7:00 – 8:00 P.M., or prior to the Saturday Service at the Buddhist Temple from 9:15 – 9:45 A.M.

By request, Koden is gratefully declined. For those who wish, memorial donations can be made to a charity of your choice.

Due to allergies, the family requests a fragrance free service.

To send a condolence please visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca

NEWTON

MR. NOELIN R. NEWTON, beloved husband of the late Ruth Mary Newton, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Monday, January 14, 2019 at the age of 93.

Noelin is survived by four sons: Don (Linda) Newton and their children, Tara (Dwayne) McLaren and Robyn (Kevin) Todd; Dean (Edie) Newton and their children Jodi Newton, Niki (Darin) Neufeld, Carol Newton, Chance Newton and Ladean Newton; Phil Newton; and Murray (Tracy) Newton and their children Janay (Dean) Harrang and Daniel (Brittany) Newton. He is also survived by eight cherished great-grandchildren.

Noelin was involved in agriculture from his childhood years at Skiff, AB until 1977 when Mom and Dad retired from farming and moved to Lethbridge. Noelin continued his career working at Ellison Milling Company and later as a grain buyer for the agricultural company, Parrish & Heimbecker Ltd. Noelin finished his working life at Edwards Rod Weeder as a purchasing agent. He then retired in 1989 at the age of 63.

His favourite pastimes were playing with his dogs and his horses, and long walks with Mom in Indian Battle Park. Our dad was a fun-loving, kindhearted, spiritual and humble man who will be missed by his sons and their extended families. Dad will be remembered not only for his strong work ethic, but also his love of jokes and storytelling, picnics, camping, horses and gravel roads.

There likely is not a gravel road in southern Alberta that Dad has not traveled on for the sole purpose of enjoying the dusty trip and finding out where the road ended. The road of life for our father has now come to an end but we find peace in knowing he is now and forever in the loving arms of God.

A Memorial Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB on Monday, January 21, 2019 at 1:30 P.M. with Reverend Pauline Bell officiating. Anyone who would like to attend is welcome to do so.

For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Southern Alberta Bible Camp, Box 99, Lomond, AB or online at http://www.sabc.ca/donate.

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

Mary O’Connor-Coutts

1928 – 2019

Mary O’Connor-Coutts (née Comer) passed away peacefully at Edith Cavell Care Centre on Monday, January 14th at the age of 90 years with family at her side, after a long and difficult journey with dementia. Waiting for her in Heaven are her beautiful baby girl Maureen Elaine (“Mo-Mo”) O’Connor, and her sweet grandson Daniel O’Connor. She is survived by her husband and partner of almost 40 years, Colin Coutts, as well as children Kathleen (Terry) Stuckert, Jack (Trudy) O’Connor and Shannon (Bill) Spenceley. She also leaves behind granddaughters Jennifer O’Connor and Alexandra Cattoni, grandsons Eric Cattoni and Ted Spenceley, great-grandchildren Jordan, Mason, Caley, Jesse and Spencer, and one great-great-grandson, James. Mary was born in 1928 near Penhold, Alberta, the youngest of Harold and Olga Comer’s three children. She grew up in rural south-central Alberta, and was smart as a whip, completing grades 6 through 9 in two years. She was always at the top of her class in grades, even though she was at the bottom in terms of age and physical size. She was known as a bit of a scrapper, and didn’t take kindly to being told she couldn’t do something. She was independent, rebellious, smart and curious about the world. When she was 16, she went off to Calgary to nursing school at the Calgary General, and completed eight months of her training before she met Patrick O’Connor at a hardware store in downtown Calgary, and was swept off her feet. They married, and her career became that of wife and mother—to Kathleen, Jack, Shannon and Maureen. And she was a cool Mom. She could do back flips and cartwheels, and even walk on her hands! She was also tough and fierce, especially when it came to being a protective mother. Woe to the teacher that disciplined any of her children too aggressively (even if they deserved it!). Money was always tight; and being immensely practical and creative, she taught herself how to sew and became an amazing tailor. Neighbours used to bring sewing to her, and when they could not pay her in cash, they often gave her fabric in the forms of curtains, tablecloths or other things—which she turned into beautiful, handmade clothing for her family. Life took a sudden turn for Mary at age 36, when she lost little Mo-Mo, aged 3, to a deadly viral illness. Not long after that, she recognized that her marriage was failing. She needed a way to support herself and her remaining 3 children. She didn’t have a car or a credit card, or a bank account or any money to put in it if she did, and she had just lost her youngest child. She knew that things had to change, so she had to focus on what she had, not what she didn’t have, or had lost. What she had was eight months of nursing education that was now 20 years in her past. So, she approached the administrator of the St. Michael’s Hospital School of Nursing, an impressive woman named Sister Clarissa. Mary announced that she wanted to finish her nursing education, but she had to be finished the 3 year nursing program in one year. Something in her story struck a chord, because Sr. Clarissa decided to give her a chance. Over the next 12 months for 7 days a week, she studied, did clinical shifts, and wrote papers, exams and assignments. Somehow, she also managed to keep her home going, despite her failing marriage. She was so excited by the learning—her kids remember her reading amazing facts to them out loud: “hey guys, do you realize that we have 60,000 miles of blood vessels in our bodies? That would take you more than twice around the whole world! Isn’t that something?!” In 1968 she graduated at the top of her class, winning awards for her high marks and clinical care. Her family was very proud of her as she walked across that stage. From graduation until 1981, Mary was a Labour & Delivery room nurse at St. Michael’s Hospital in Lethbridge, and she was exceptional. She remembered every single delivery, particularly the tough ones when the physician just didn’t make it. There are many people out there happily living their lives that were gently, safely and expertly ushered into this world by Mary O’Connor, RN. In fact, she told people right up to the end of her life that she was STILL an RN—being a registered nurse wasn’t just what she did for a living—it’s who she was. So imagine her pride when her daughter Shannon, granddaughter Jennifer, and great-granddaughter Jesse all chose registered nursing careers as well! In 1978, Mary met the man who would make her happy until the day she died: Colin Coutts. He was also a health care provider, and many years younger than Mary. She tried to convince him that he should pursue someone his own age, but Colin had already fallen in love with Mary, and she with him. After ten years of being together, she finally said “yes” to a marriage proposal, and she and Colin wed on September 1, 1990. Mary and Colin loved traveling, and spent many happy times in Hawaii, and visiting family in Vancouver over the years. Colin introduced her to the game of darts and she quickly became a talented player—nicknamed “The Bailer” for often bailing their team out of trouble in dart tournaments! Colin’s career in the Canadian Military meant they moved around during their married life, and they lived happily in Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Edmonton, and finally Lethbridge, where they lived until she passed away. The edges of Mary’s memory started to unravel in 2006, and she received a diagnosis of dementia a year later. Within 2 years, Mary just couldn’t live at home anymore—despite Colin’s valiant efforts. Many reading this will understand what an agonizing decision it is to put someone you love in the care of others. The last 9 years of Mary’s life were spent in care, with 7 of those years at Edith Cavell. The staff there were wonderful to her and Mary’s family just cannot thank them enough for their loving care. Mary had good days, where a light would go on in those bright blue eyes and she would share a good laugh with family, or with her caregivers. And as those who love someone with this disease can attest, there were also some very bad days, where all that could be hoped for was for her to feel love, and a bit of peace. Thank you to all those who cared for Mom over the years. We, her family, are so grateful for her life, for the love she shared with us, and for the peace that is finally hers. A Private Service for family and close friends will follow at a later date. Flowers are gratefully declined, but should you wish to honour Mary’s memory, please consider making a donation to either the Alzheimer Society of Alberta/NWT, 308, 14925 – 111 Avenue NW, Edmonton Alberta T5M 2P6, or the Alberta Registered Nurses Educational Trust 11120 178 Street, Edmonton, AB T5S 1P2.

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

Gloria Smith

1937 – 2019

Gloria May Smith of Lethbridge, wife of Robert passed away after a lengthy illness on December 13, 2018 at the age of 81 years. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta, Pastor Rodger Halvorsen, officiating.

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

ULLY

It is with great sorrow to announce Leonard Ully, age 85, passed away December 29 at Morgan Heights Resident, Surrey, BC.

He was born April 12, 1933 to the late Leah and Henry Ully and was predeceased by two brothers, two sisters and grandchild Courtney Chell.

He will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by Romola, his wife of 63 yrs, daughters Lori Chell (Allan) Brett, Kim Ully (Samantha, Morgan, Kiera, Raquel), TJ Killoran (Frank) Kaleigh, Colton and Shane.

God saw the road was rough

And the hills were hard to climb,

So he closed your weary eyelids

And he whispered

“Peace be Thine”

It broke our hearts to lose you,

But you did not go alone

For parts of us went with you

The day he called you home!

A Celebration of Life will be announced in the Spring.

Henry Unruh
1933 – 2019
Henry Dave Unruh of Enchant, beloved husband of Sue Unruh, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at the age of 85 years.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 – 48 Avenue, Taber on Sunday, January 20, 2019 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.
A private burial will be held at the Enchant Cemetery prior to the Funeral Service.
The Funeral Service will be held at the Enchant Community Hall, 121 Center Street, Enchant on Monday, January 21, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com.
Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.

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