Bilinski: Alberta Mae

Alberta Mae Bilinski passed away on Friday, November 26th, at the Andy Moog Hospice House in Penticton BC following a lengthy illness. Alberta was pre-deceased by her husband, Alfred Bilinski, on September 21st, 2004. She will always be lovingly remembered by her family; daughter Sharyn Pollitt (Mike - deceased), sons Garry (Sandy) and Brian (Ann) sister Bessie, sister-in -law  Frances (Earl), 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews and other family members and friends. Alberta was born and raised in Drumheller, Alberta and as a young adult worked as a teller at  the Treasury Branch in Coronation, Alberta. She married Alfred ³Bud² Bilinski when she was 19 and they started a life together that lasted through 60 happy and successful years of marriage. They moved to Calgary shortly after the end of the Second World War and remained there until 1988 when they retired to the Okanagan. Alberta raised her own 3 children with love, kindness and care and went on to provide a loving home to an extended family of nieces and nephews who came under her care at various times. While she did work for several years in a pharmacy in Calgary as her children grew into adults, her true calling was that of a homemaker and no one could have done it better. When she wasn¹t occupied with family responsibilities, Alberta spent her spare time sewing, crocheting, knitting and doing cross-stitch which will be remembered by so many who benefited from her skill and generosity. She loved to bake for family and friends and everyone looked forward to the treats she would deliver fresh and warm from her oven. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, December 6, 2004 at 1:00 pm at
the Courtney-Winter's Funeral Home in Drumheller, Alberta followed by interment of both Alberta and Alfred¹s ashes in the Drumheller Cemetery. A reception will be held at the home of Alberta's nephew, Clifford Christensen, after the interment ceremony. Cremation arrangements entrusted to Hanson¹s Arbor Funeral Chapels and Crematorium. Penticton, BC 250-492-4202. Family and friends are encouraged to make a donation to the charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.

McIlwrick: Lena  1912 - 2003

The obituary for Lena McIlwrick, which appeared in the Drumheller newspaper in October, 2003, contained egregious errors and omissions. Out of respect for Lena we feel obliged and compelled to honour both her memory and her family with a complete and historically accurate memoriam. Lena was born in Binscarth, Manitoba, on April 11, 1912. She married John  McIlwrick and together they farmed in the Rutland, Saskatchewan district. Predeceased by John, on May 14, 1982, she is survived by the following: Lena's first child Maurice (Phyllis), grandson Len McIlwrick (Dawn), granddaughter Brenda Blain (R.C.M.P. Constable Les Blain), great grandchildren Melissa, Logan, and Zachary. Grandson Dale McIlwrick MBA (Connie), great grandchildren Nicola, Samantha, and Mathew. Granddaughter Debora Langhan B. Ed. (Alan), great grandchildren Lindsay, and Corey. Granddaughter Karin Kiney (Troy), great grandchildren Korbin, and Alyssa. Lena¹s second child Shirlie Ursu (Joe), granddaughter Ronda Jessop, great granddaughter Brittney, granddaughter Audrey Gottfried (Darwin), great grandchildren Sarah, Adam, and Rebecca. Lena's third child Charles McIlwrick (Gail), granddaughters Dr. Joann McIlwrick MD, FRCPC (Dr. Cory Toth MD, FRCPC), and author Jackie Johnson (McIlwrick) cert. HR. Admin. The location of Lena¹s final resting place has not been shared with any of her family members mentioned above. Anyone able to provide details in this regard may contact Dr. Joann McIlwrick at: psychiatry@shaw.ca Information regarding Lena's younger children may be obtained from the obituary published October 2003.