Friday, November 15, 2024

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on November 15, 2024.

ITAYA, Koji Koji R. ITAYA April 29, 1931 – November 5, 2024 Mr. Koji Roy Itaya, of Iron Springs, AB, passed away at home on November 5, 2024. He was 93 years old.
Koji was predeceased by his wife, Sumiye in 2014.
He is survived by his sons, Jim, Larry, and Glen Itaya.
A private family service will be held, with interment at Royal View Memorial Cemetery. The family respectfully declines flowers and koden.
To send a message of condolence please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca

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MACLEAN, Dale MACLEAN It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dale MacLean. She passed away in Lethbridge on November 12, 2024 due to complications related to leukemia.
She was born on the summer solstice in 1944 in Kidderminster England and grew up in the beautiful nearby hamlet of Far Forest with her parents, Daisy and Jack Hamer and her little brother, John.
The group of 4 moved to Edinburgh to be closer to extended family while she was a teenager. One of her favourite haunts was Fisher’s Close. The travel bug hit her early and she immigrated to Canada when she was 19 years old.
After the passing of her father, Jack in 1964, John and Daisy came to Canada to live nearby. She attended Alberta College of Art in Calgary and was an avid art collector and creator her whole life.
In Canada she lived in Calgary, Montreal, Swalwell and finally settled in Lethbridge in 1977. It didn’t take long before her creativity and entrepreneurial tendencies drove her to open Toy House Day Care in 1979 and Children’s Village a few years later. Dale took her position as day care operator seriously and cared deeply for each of the bairns in her care. The daycares, like her home, were beautifully decorated and infused with comfort and warmth.
With her loving husband Alastair they moved to Beaver Mines and created Alandale Lodge and Retreat in 1993. There they offered a sacred place for family and friends to gather and commune; enjoy skiing at nearby Castle Mountain, riding and hiking the local trails.
All her life, Dale derived immense satisfaction from creative expression. Along with a group of pioneering women, The Medicine Tree was founded in 2004. She enjoyed the process of imagining a unique service and bringing it to fruition for the benefit of her local community.
Over the years she travelled throughout Canada and the US, especially enjoying Sedona, Santa Fe and the Oregon coast. She loved travelling in the Westphalia. Among more distant locations she visited Moloka’i, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Bali, Turkey, Japan, England and of course her beloved Scotland.
You will be missed. You made an indelible mark on your community and left it a better place.
We dinnae know how to be in this world without you, but we are constantly reminded that without darkness we cannae see th’ stars. And so, in those stars we will seek out the twinkle o’ yer bricht blue eyes shining back at us forever. Ride the stars sweet Sassenach.
Lovingly remembered always by her husband, Alastair, her children Haidee and Deryck (Karmen), her grandchildren Chihiro, Ayely, Oliver, Mairi, her brother John (Lesia) and all her kin in Scotland. Her mother, Daisy passed away in 2008.
In the spirit of continuing Dale’s passion for community building and in lieu of flowers please consider donating in her name to either Inclusion Lethbridge, for whom she was an ardent supporter for decades, or the MacLean Family Endowment Fund (with the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta) supporting women and children’s issues.
Dale chose a green burial and will be laid to rest in the grasslands of the Royal View Memorial Cemetery. A private gathering of family and friends will be announced at a later date.
Thank you to Dr. Benke and Tanya and the entire team at the Jack Ady Cancer Centre for your attentiveness and care over the last 14 months. Our sincerest gratitude to Dr. Saleh, Dr Plotnyk, Dr. Roth and the numerous nurses and health care aides who assisted over the last few months. Bless you.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca

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TOMASTA, Lydia LYDIA MARIA TOMASTA (NEE BARTOSEK) 1935 – 2024 Mrs. Lydia Maria Tomasta of Coaldale, beloved wife of the late Mr. Miro Tomasta, passed away on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the age of 89 years. Lydia passed away after a short stay at Chinook Regional Hospital surrounded by her loving family.
Lydia was born in Coaldale, Alberta on January 28, 1935, to Antonia and John Bartosek.
Lydia is survived by her brother Tony (Bernadette) Bartosek; her children: Bob (Kathy), Ron (Marilyn), Diane (Tom) Slywka, Nancy, Rick, Melenie de Graaf, Gary (Lana), Lorraine and Antonette; along with numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and one great, great granddaughter.
She was predeceased by her parents; sister Georgia Bartosek; her daughter, Karen Poitras on December 28, 2007; and her soul mate and loving husband of 60 years, Miro, on May 14, 2015.
A Prayer Vigil will be held at 7:00 pm, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM, ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2024, AT ST. AMBROSE ROMAN CATHOLIC PARISH, 1513 23rd Ave, Coaldale, Alberta.
Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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YAMASHITA, Ruriko “Lily” RURIKO “LILY” YAMASHITA 1925 – 2024 Ruriko (Lily) Yamashita beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away peacefully on Friday, November 9, 2024, at the Chinook Regional Hospital, at the age of 99. She is the loving mother of Robert (Sharon Whatley) of Edmonton; Kathryn of Lethbridge; Geary (Cam) of Port Charlotte, Florida; Maureen (John Martini) of Osoyoos B.C.; and Linda (Bob Skelly) of Calgary. She is also survived by her sister June Tajiri; her sister-in-law Rose; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ruriko is predeceased by her father Masuzo Okahashi and her mother Kikue Okano; her brothers George and Charlie; and her sisters Nancy Leong, Merry Sameshima and Reiko Takeyasu.
Ruriko or Lily as she was known to family and friends was born on April 26, 1925, in Port Hammond B.C. and grew up on a berry farm in Haney B.C. With the onset of WWII, she and her family were relocated to Coaldale, Alberta to work in the sugar beet fields. There she met and married Yasuo Yamashita and together created a lifetime of cherished memories, raising five children, on a busy potato farm in Vauxhall Alberta. She will be remembered for her intelligent, loving and gentle nature, her many interests and hobbies, and above all her zest for life.
A visitation with the family will be held from 9:00 – 11:00 am on November 16, 2024, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 4 STREET SOUTH, LETHBRIDGE, Alberta, with a Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 am. To watch the service via livestream, please visit https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/RurikoLily-Yamashita to find the link.
A private family inurnment will be held.
Koden is gratefully declined. If you wish, please donate in Lily’s name to the SOUTHERN ALBERTA JAPANESE UNITED CHURCH, 821 – 9 AVENUE N. LETHBRIDGE, Alberta, T1H 1E8.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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EDWARDS, Douglas “Doug” DOUGLAS “DOUG” EDWARDS 1956 – 2024 Douglas “Doug” Lewis Edwards of Lethbridge, passed away with his daughter by his side, on Sunday October 13, 2024, at the age of 68 years.
A Celebration of Doug’s Life will be held from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at HONKERS NEST, (located beside Honkers Pub) 2806 5 Ave N, Lethbridge, AB. Please note that the open mic will start at 1:30 pm, so if you wish to share a story or tribute about Doug, please be there by 1:30 pm.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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DAVIES, Elizabeth DAVIES ELIZABETH MARY DAVIES, of Picture Butte, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Friday, November 8, 2024 at the age of 93 years.
Elizabeth is survived by her five children: Diana (Rick) Paskal of Iron Springs and their children: Kurt, Kevin (Chelsey), and Craig (Lexi); Rick (Starr) Davies of Lethbridge and their son Taylor (Ania); Linda Davies of Lethbridge and her children: Lisa, Mike (Denise) and Andi; Jim (Candace) Davies of Lethbridge and their children: Dylan and Sean; and Jeff Davies (Dana) of Medicine Hat and their children: Hannah, Jessie and Ronin. Elizabeth will be sadly missed by her great- grandchildren: Maddox, McKenna and Reese, Beckham, Hayes and Goldie, Tea’, Cooper, Vincent and Madilyn. She also leaves behind her brother-in-law, Eddie Davies, sisters-in-law Bridgett Tokai and Shirley Tokai and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband Leo; parents Gabor and Barbara Tokai; sisters: Bernadette, Mary and Margret; brothers, Steve, Gabor and Joe; and daughter-in-law Pam.
Elizabeth was born on August 10, 1931 in Hillspring, Alberta to Gabor and Barbara Tokai. After spending some time in that area with her family, she moved as a young girl to Picture Butte, where she attended school and helped on the family farm. When she was 19 years old, she met her true love, Leo Davies, and they married on June 5, 1951 in Picture Butte. Soon after, they moved to Edmonton, where Leo had enlisted in the army. They raised their children there until an accident claimed Leo’s life in 1961. She then moved back to Picture Butte, where she had the love and support of her family. She was a woman of determination, resilience and strength. She was a great cook, loved Johnny Reid music, loved playing bingo and took great pride in her home and yard that she maintained herself until she was nearly 80 years old.
Her greatest joys were spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Elizabeth was a true Blue Jays fan; she knew all the players and made sure she never missed a game. She spent most of her life living in Picture Butte until she decided that it was time to take it easy and move to Black Rock Terrace in Lethbridge. After residing there for 10 years, she moved back to Picture Butte, to Piyami Lodge, where she always said she felt like she was back home. Even with all the hardships Elizabeth went through, she always had a zest for life.
We are all going to miss her so very much.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. CATHERINE’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 762 Crescent Ave, Picture Butte, AB, on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Ian Gagne celebrating. Cremation entrusted to Cornerstone Funeral Home.

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

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DI PALMA, Rosina DI PALMA It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of ROSINA DI PALMA, who passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.
Rosina was born in Chiauci, Isernia, Italy on February 21, 1932, and married Giuseppe Di Palma on December 26, 1959. In 1964, they immigrated to Canada and settled in Lethbridge, AB. Rosina was a loyal member of the Italian Canadian Club as well as Assumption Church. Rosina loved cooking, gardening, and spending time with her family and friends. Rosina was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.
Left to cherish her memory are her loving children, Elvira (Garry) Kaskiw, Carlo (Mamta) Di Palma, and her grandchildren, Kurtis (Mevisha Maistry) Kaskiw, Terra (Clayton Sargent) Kaskiw, Alyssa (Nolan Walls) Di Palma, and Serena (Taylor Casement) Di Palma; her sister Antonietta Salerno; two sisters-in-law, Gina Santangelo, and Isolina Di Palma; a brother-in-law, Mario (Bicetta) Di Palma; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Giuseppe (Joe) Di Palma; her parents Carmela and Amodio Di Pilla; mother and father in-law, Nicola and Elvira Di Palma; her sister, Angelina (Domenico) Sacco; her brother, Pietro (Iva) Di Pilla; her brothers-in-law, Giovanni (Irma) Di Palma, Guerino Di Palma, Gaetano Santangelo; and sister-in-law Anonietta (Vincenzo) Di Iorio.
A Prayer Vigil will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825-32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 7:00 P.M.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405-12 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, on Monday, November 18, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Kevin Tumback celebrating.
Following the Funeral Mass, Rosina will be laid to rest in Mountain View Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society (cancer.ca).

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

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ZETTEL, Brian BRIAN ZETTEL 1983 – 2024 Mr. Brian Zettel of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Mrs. Amber Zettel, passed away on Monday, November 11, 2024, at St. Michael’s Health Centre, at the age of 41 years.
Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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