Obituaries Obituaries
Obituaries
WICKENDEN (Currie) Dawn Elizabeth
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WICKENDEN (Currie), Dawn Elizabeth
January 7, 2012
Dawn died peacefully on January 7, 2012 in the Saanich Peninsula Hospital after a hard fought battle with cancer. She was 57 years old. “Prairie Dawn” was a passionate learner and teacher. She received her elementary education in the one-room Bay Coulee and Orkney rural schools near her home on the Currie family farm. She graduated from Three Hills High School in 1971. Dawn attended Henderson’s Business College in Calgary and worked for the Kneehill County in Three Hills before entering Mount Royal College and later the University of Calgary. Dawn followed her interest in drama and graduated from the U of C with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Drama) in 1978, returning soon after to complete U of C Professional Diploma Program in Education. Dawn taught elementary school with the Calgary Board of Education for almost twenty-five years. The Alberta Teachers’ Association awarded Dawn a lifetime membership in recognition of her years of service to the teaching profession and to the welfare of youth. In 2004, Dawn moved to Vancouver Island. She worked at the Shoal Centre and the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney, and for the Ministry of Transportation in Victoria. She became active in the Sidney fibre arts community, especially the Wednesday Night Knitting Group. Dawn is survived by her husband, Rodger Wickenden, sisters Shelley Currie (Roger Mah Poy) and Beverley Currie (David Wood), nephews Peter, Christopher, Robin and Timothy, step-daughter Tawna, Aunts Norma West, Nora Nobes and Brenda Nobes, and sister-in-law Paula. She was predeceased by her parents, Bette and Elmer Currie. There will be no funeral service at Dawn’s request. A celebration of Dawn’s life will be held between 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 6th, 2012, at the Bill Warren Centre - Canmore Nordic Centre, Canmore, AB. Donations in Dawn’s memory can be made to Wagonstage Children’s Theatre (https://netcommunity.ucalgary.ca/SSPage.aspx?pid=2122&frcrld=1), or a children’s literacy or performing arts organization of your choice.
HANSEN Lois
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HANSEN Lois
June 15, 1947 - February 17, 2012
It is with great sadness that we say our farewells to Lois, who passed on at the age of 64 years. Lois will be sadly missed by her siblings Dennis, Judy, David, Karen, Lois’s foster daughter Cindy Demuynck and family, 12 nieces and nephews, and 13 Great nieces and nephews. Lois was predeceased by her parents Larry Hansen and Eva Ells Hansen. Lois was born on June 15th, 1947 and lived in the Wintering Hills District with her Mom, Dad, Dennis and Judy until 1952. Moving into the Morrin area, Lois took one year at Golden Grain School, finishing her schooling in Morrin. After attending the University of AB in Edmonton for two years, Lois taught High School at Morrin in 1968-69. She then returned to University for her third year of training in Education. Lois loved the prairies and warm sunshine but felt the need to venture off to Vancouver BC and area, for her career in social work and clinical counseling, with much purpose and determination of always focusing on making things better for other people and the world. Lois was a gentle, warm and very strong soul with wonderful energy, humor and a bemused smile that would light up your world. She took in so many stray animals and wayward people – loving them for who they were and took care of them dearly. Leaving the Fraser Valley, Lois came home to AB in January; her family surrounding her with much love and care, until she passed away on Feb 17, 2012. A private family Celebration of Life will take place in Rowley on Saturday, February 25th. As well as Internment in the Rowley Cemetery where Lois will lay to rest with her deceased Grandmother Lucie Ells. If family and friends so desire, donations may be made to Katie’s Place Animal Shelter 10255 Jackson Ave, Maple Ridge, BC V2W 1G5 Website: katiesplaceshelter.com May the circle be open, but unbroken. May the peace of the goddess be ever in your heart. Merry meet, and merry part. And merry meet again. Blessed be.
BILSON Terence George
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BILSON, Terence George
July 31, 1946 - February 14, 2012
Terence George Bilson passed away suddenly and peacefully on February 14, 2012. Said to be the first child born in the Monarch mining camp at East Coulee, Terry was born at the height of the Drumheller Valley’s coal mining boom as Vincent and Hazel Bilson’s first son. The Bilsons were lured to the valley from Edmonton at the end of WWII and Terry grew to appreciate cars and sports as he went on to attend high school in Drumheller in the 1960’s followed by his younger brother Doug and little sister Donna (Toivanen). After high school he joined the Bank of Nova Scotia, moving to Innisfail and later to various sales jobs in Calgary where he was reacquainted with Wendy (Sandercock). Terry returned with Wendy to Drumheller in 1978 and they were eventually married in October of 1979. Terry started working for PanCanadian Petroleum (now Encana) in 1982 as a field operator until moving to the main control centre in the Drumheller branch office in 1993. He would remain an extremely dedicated member of the Encana team until his retirement in January 2012. Terry enjoyed watching sports events, especially the Calgary Flames, Calgary Stampeders and Major League Baseball. He was also very involved in Drumheller Minor Hockey often acting as the team manager for bantam and midget teams. He was an active member of the Drumheller Kinsmen Club and shared the joy of singing with Wendy in the Knox United Church choir over several years. He was a proud father of 5 children who survive him as Michele (spouse Mark Bieganek), Brad (spouse Athena Winchester), Paul (spouse Victoria Salvatore), Todd and Curtis (spouse Carol Henriquez) all of which completed post-secondary education positively affected by his encouragement and quiet support. His role would later grow as the proud Poppa to grandchildren Vincent, Noah, Sierra, Maya, Juliette, Kiana and Santiago as he would continue to share his enthusiasm for railroading and life with them. Terry was predeceased by his mother Hazel and father Vincent and is survived by all his children, brother Douglas, sister Donna, nieces, nephews and loving wife, Wendy. A memorial service will be held at Knox United Church on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. The family requests that donations to the Alberta Diabetes Foundation 1-020 HRIF-East University Of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 9Z9 be made in lieu of flowers. Courtney-Winters Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements (403-823 -2666).
