August 23, 1935 - May 4, 2025

Laura Elizabeth Griffith beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully May 4 2025, in Drumheller at the age of 89.
Laura was born in Rumsey Alberta to Stella and Bob RIchmond, August 23,1935. Laura went to school in Rumsey and in the summer of 1951 worked at Ruskins store until she went to Olds that fall to take home economics. After her schooling in Olds was completed, Laura moved to Calgary and joined the RCAF reserves and took medical assistant courses which lead to a medical assisant job.
On June 29,1957, in Calgary, after an April 1st proposal, (when asked how she knew it was serious it was because John had a “ring”) Laura married John Melville Griffith. They resided in Calgary, and then Medicine Hat before returning to the Griffith Family farm in Rumsey. During this time, they had three children, Dwain, Hal and Connie. After the family was raised John and Laura retired to Drumheller where they both resided until their passing.
Laura had many hobbies consisting of fishing, camping, curling, golfing, gardening, all of which were enjoyed with the company of family and friends. In the latter years jigsaw puzzles were a pastime very much enjoyed. She was also a very avid Toronto Blue Jays fan and was glad to have seen them play in Seattle.
Laura was an active member of the Rumsey community, keeping score for many a baseball game that the kids played. Helping with the Rumsey Red Deer River Garden Club, STARS ride promoter and most memorable possibly was helping build the Second Rumsey History book.
Laura is survived by her children Dwain and Sherry Griffith of Rumsey, Hal Griffith of Calgary, Connie Wilson of Munson, Grandchildren- Jonathan and Nicole, Racheal and Mike, Deanne and Eric, Cayle, Dalan and Yvonne, and Avril. Great grandchildren, Ariel, Scout and Harlo. Sister Heather and Serge, sister-in-laws Jean and Eleanor Richmond, brother in law Dave Cochrane, numerous nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by husband John, brothers Leonard and Tom, sister Linda, in laws Marie and Dawn Hampton.
‘A woman of few words, so when she spoke people listened’ Dariel McNaughton
Service was held May 9, 2025, at the Rumsey Community Hall. Interment followed at Rumsey Cemetery.
If people so wish, donations can be made in Laura’s honour to STARS or Drumheller and Area Health Foundation.

January 29, 1930 - April 12, 2025

Maxine Cecelia Popovich (McFarlane) passed away peacefully in her sleep at 95 years old, April 12, 2025 at St. Mary’s Long-term Care, Trochu, Ab.
Maxine was born January 29, 1930 in Gainsboro, Saskatchewan to Cecil and Marie McFarlane, she was the middle of 3 girls. Her Dad moved the family to Alberta in 1936 to a farm near Drumheller. In 1940 the family moved to Drumheller, 1941 they moved to East Coulee, then back to Drumheller in 1948.
Before Maxine was married, she worked at various retail stores. After her marriage to Barney in 1952, she worked in the office at Trunkline doing bookwork to support Barney while he attended plumbing school. When Barney started Bigford & Popovich Plumbing, later Popovich Plumbing & Heating, Maxine did the books for their business for many years. She spent many summers at Fish Lake & Pine Lake and enjoyed travelling Canada, Europe, Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii. Maxine was very involved in the Drumheller community where she lived and raised her family for 84+ years. She was the oldest member of the Drumheller chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi, and volunteered extensively in the community, which won her Citizen of the Year in 2012. She was an avid curler and golfer and she loved to dance since she was in her teens, as well as listen to big band music and music of the ‘40s and ‘50s. She also spent much of her time singing, starting with harmonizing with her sisters and ending up singing in the Pioneer Trail choir. She was an awesome and supportive mom, grandmother and great-grandmother. Family was very important to her. She endured a lifetime of pain but never complained, she was a real ‘trooper’.
Maxine was predeceased by her husband Barney Popovich (2022), and her 2 sisters Doryce Repas and Marie Hume. She is survived by her 2 loving daughters Brenda Smith (Rod) and Sharon Hardy (Randy) and 6 grandchildren, Joshua Smith (Taabish Zaver) and Jordon Smith (Jace Thibault) Travis Hardy (Vicki), Kyle Hardy, Nathan Hardy and Taylor Hardy. She also has 5 great- grandchildren, Finley, Emmarie, Lochlann, Rowan, & Bronson Hardy, as well as her Step-son Warren Yavis (Linda, Chelsey, Chris, Colby, Emmerson, Paige & Presley and numerous nieces & nephews.
We would like to thank St. Mary’s staff for the incredible care she was given during her stay with them as well as the Drumheller Health Centre. In lieu of flowers Mom has requested a donation to the Heart to Heart Society of Drumheller or the Canadian Cancer Society. There will be a private family gathering at a later date as she had her Celebration of Life along with Barney’s.