On August 27, 2020, Betty Chizue Hirowatari née Morishita passed away peacefully at the age of 90 years, surrounded by her family. 

She was born on November 30, 1929 in Steveston, B.C. where she lived with her five siblings. During the war, she was interned to Taber, Alberta, where she worked with her family in the sugar beet fields. After the war, they returned to Steveston where mom worked in the cannery for ten years and became involved with the Buddhist Church as a Dharma School teacher.

Mom married dad (Charles Satoru) in 1958 and moved to Kamloops, B.C. She raised three children: Charlene/Terry (grandchildren Erik & Ellen); Lyle; Ryan/Wendy. Mom leaves a legacy of hard work from numerous jobs, as well as running their own convenience store (McMorran’s Grocery) for 17 years. Upon retiring and building their home in Westsyde she helped raise her grandchildren who lovingly referred to her as “Gummy”. Mom enjoyed many years of gardening, volunteering, sewing, baking, crocheting, and knitting. She led a humble life with respect and compassion.

When dad passed, mom led an active life until she moved into an extended care facility. Our family extends gratitude to the nurses, care aids, rehab staff, all the support staff and administration of Ridgeview Lodge. Special thanks to Dr. Andrew Wynne for the exceptional care given to mom during her time there.

Also, thank you to Reverend Yasuhiro Miyakawa (Kamloops Buddhist Church) for your many inspirational visits with our mom. She found much solace in them.

In lieu of flowers or koden, please consider donations to the Kamloops Buddhist Church. 

In Gassho

“Mom, “Gummy” you will be in our hearts forever”

Elio passed away at peace in the early morning hours of August 13, 2020 at the Royal Inland Hospital, Kamloops. Predeceased by his wife, Louise, by his brother, Vittorio and by his parents Francesco and Ida.  He is survived by his son Neil Baisi (Ottawa), grandsons, both of Ottawa, Louis-Philippe (Julie Leger, great granddaughters Laurence-Madeleine and Marie-Juliette), and Jean-Gabriel; sisters Loredana Chelini (Victoria, B.C.) and Maria (Ivo Gianpaoli, Porcari, Italy) and nieces in western Canada.

Elio finished primary school on the eve of WW II and began work with his tenant-farming family. In his late teens towards the end of the war was a casual civilian employee of a US army unit. On returning to his family, took an interest in amateur bicycle racing and rode his way to the initial tier of the semi-professional level. Then, seeing a Canadian immigration poster, took the leap. A common immigrant story, he arrived in Canada with nothing but not much in his pocket. Then, hard work, cutting sugar beets, then digging ditches at the emerging petrochemical complex in Sarnia. After, westward to Regina and success as a drywall subcontractor. After a number of years and a down turn in the Regina economy, moved further west to Kamloops and became a part of the expanding construction sector. In Kamloops he met Louise (nee Meadmore) whom he married in 1975, beginning a 44 year partnership. They built their house on the heights beyond the north shore, overlooking the city and the confluence of the North and South Thompson. There they spent many hours terracing, landscaping and planting and then winning awards for their horticultural efforts. As long time members of the Kamloops Golf and Country Club, they also pursued a passion for golf. Louise passed in January of 2019. Close neighbours noted a certain change in Elio thereafter. And we wonder, when his end was nigh, if he discarded his resolve to live, to join Louise.

With love and appreciation, our family would like to announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Helen Saemerow, on August 18, 2020.

She was a wonderful daughter, wife, sister, auntie, godmother, friend, benefactor, boss and first of all a loving child of God. She lived her faith each day and to the fullest.

Now she is dancing into Heaven, smiling and hugging all those loved ones who have gone on before: Mother-Josie, Father-Kon, husband-Jim, brother-Henry, best-friend- Helen Reddeman, business partner- Ray Bertoli, in-laws- Fred & Lena Saemerow, and many other Saemerow family members.

She was born Helen Maryanna Stankiewicz, 1929, in Sokolowice, Poland. At the age of 3, she and her mother, Josefa, came to Canada to join her dad, Konstanty, in Maidstone, Saskatchewan. Kon had left Poland just before Helen was born. This was the first time they would meet. Brother Henry was born there in 1933. Grade One for Helen was mainly learning English. She loved school and her teachers.  The family moved to Celista, BC and by age 9, she became big sister to Anne. Her first job was bookkeeping at Brown & Smith General Store & Post Office, 1944.

 She completed Grade Ten by correspondence, with Mrs. Elsie Roberts’ help and in 1944 (age 15), she moved to Kamloops to attend St. Ann’s Academy. She completed the one year Commercial Business Course and it was there that she met her longtime friend, Jean Bertoli.  In 1945, she was hired by Inland Building Supplies, owned by Harry Turner and sons. After 4 months, she accepted the position of Office Manager there.

Then, 24 years later, when the Turner’s retired, she and co-worker, Ray Bertoli formed their own company specializing in materials for the masonry and drywall trades: Inland Building Supplies (1969)Ltd.  Success was achieved by good partnership, hard work, personal service and a devoted staff. 

Two staff members that started with them in the beginning are Roy Powell and Brenda McLean.  Their first employee was Roy as Yardman. A few years later, Brenda McLean was hired for the office. These two loyal employees stayed until the business was sold. They became like family.

Helen and Ray continued their business for another 38 years until selling in 2007. Helen had worked for 64 years!  She became busier than ever doing things that she loved; attending family, church and community events, fall fairs, cowboy festivals, concerts, music in the park, travelling to Mexico, Hawaii, Italy, Germany, Holy Land and all over Canada and the U.S.A. As much as Helen loved to travel, she was always most happy to return to her dearly loved Kamloops and beautiful valley that she proudly called “Home”.

After church, and family, community was everything to Helen. Immigrant parents, Kon and Josie Stankiewicz, showed by example how to gather people together to celebrate life, starting in Saskatchewan and then to Celista, where they helped build the North Shuswap Community Hall. 

In 1949, the fundraising began for a Brocklehurst Hall. Again there was Helen amongst hundreds of new friends and neighbours, selling fruits and vegetables at roadside stands, freezing while making coffee outside the dance at a non-insulated building near the airport. Those memories, of dancing the nights away in the new hall on Tranquille Road, always brought a big smile for Helen.

Helen was on the planning committee for the OLPH Church Center & Gymnasium, which opened in 1990.  She continued to volunteer at the Church Center up until the last few years, where she could be found making lunches with the CWL, selling 50/50 tickets and setting up for the November “Free” Dinner, welcoming and serving the families.

Helen’s kindness and generosity was far reaching, benefiting many families, businesses, organizations and our community as a whole. She is responsible for donations of funds, materials, loving direction and encouragement to many people.

She was a contributor to: Royal Inland Hospital, TRU University, local schools and sports teams, North Shuswap Community Association and missions.

Helen was a member of many organizations, often in the role of Secretary or Treasurer; Catholic Church Founding Member-OLPH Parish, Catholic Women’s League, Kamloops Multicultural Society, Founding Member -North Shore Business Improvement Association, Society of St. Vincent De Paul, North Shuswap Historical Society, North Shuswap Community Association

In 2014, she received the “Distinguished Service Award” from the City of Kamloops for “Lifetime of Time & Resources Building Community”. 

Helen is loved by many. She is a “big sister & little mother” to Anne. She is “Auntie Helen” to a big bunch of thankful nieces and nephews, “Heli” to close friends, “Shortie” to the Saemerow family and “Partner”, “close friend” and “Godmother” to the Bertoli family and “Really Great Friend” to 1000’s of people. 

Our thanks go to God, Virgin Mary, OLPH Parish, Fr. Peter Nguyen, Fr. Vijay Martin, Fr. Fred Wiesbeck, NP Navy Sahota, Dr. Howie, the exceptional staff at both Chartwell Residence and Gemstone Brocklehurst.

There are so many others who we would like to mention and thank. Please know that we are most appreciative and are thinking about you all.

It would be Helen’s wish, and ours, that if you could not be present at her service, that you gather together safely. Tell stories and share memories as you celebrate Helen’s life in your own way.

“Love one another, as I have loved you” … and so Helen did.

She is survived by her loving family Sister: Anne Krehel, Sister-in-law: Barbara Stankiewicz, Sister-in-law: Sophie Saemerow, Nieces & Nephews: Jeanette Krehel, Mark Krehel (Julie), Teresa Krehel, Stewart Stankiewicz (Val), David Stankiewicz (Laura), Linda Brooks (Ron), Terry Turcotte (Darryl), Dolly Platzer (Ben), Tina Ramuno (Victor), Jodi Saemerow (Cliff) and their families. Plus numerous other nieces and nephews. Cousins: Camille (Frank) Lillig, Virginia Dziedzic and their families all from Chicago, as well as distant relatives in Poland.

Prayers will be recited at 7:00 pm on Friday, August 28, 2020 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 635 Tranquille Road. The Mass of Christian burial will be held in the Church at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 29, 2020.

Due to health regulations, there is a limited capacity of 50 people at both the Friday night Prayers and Saturday morning Service/Mass.  All family and guests must call to be screened and registered for their attendance with Kamloops Funeral Home 250 554 2577.

Memorial donations in Helen’s memory may be made to the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice or to the charity of your choice.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Shizuko (Susie)Tomiyama on August 16th at the age of 96. She was predeceased by her parents Shio and Tahei, brothers Hideo and Takeo and infant son Bobby. She will be dearly missed by her family: daughters, Janet (Ken) Robson, Jean (Tim) Swaim, son Bryan (Patsy) Tomiyama; grandchildren, Tomiko (Ty), Tadashi (Gina), Kiyoshi (Amanda) Kenjiro, David, Bradley (Keira), Derek; great grandchildren, Chizuko, Matsu, Blake, Elliana, Rylen, Kazumi. Susie was born in Vancouver on October 8th,1923. When she was a teenager, the family moved to Kamloops. She was an active member of her community and the Kamloops Buddhist Church, where she played the piano for many years. Susie will be remembered as a beautiful, hardworking, wise, compassionate and inspiring woman. She was a very talented seamstress and enjoyed crafting and quilting. She also took great pride in watching her grandchildren participating in sports and performing arts. She was also an avid fan of the the Kamloops Blazers. It was Susie’s wish that in lieu of flowers or koden, donations be made to the Kamloops Buddhist Church or the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation. Due to COVID restrictions, a small family gathering was held to honour Susie. We hope to have a memorial service at a later date. Her family wishes to thank everyone for all the support during this difficult time. A special thank you to the wonderful caring staff at Ponderosa Lodge and Pinegrove Center.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce Valerie Adrienne Carey has passed peacefully into the next step of her great journey on August 15^th 2020. While her spirit moves on, she leaves behind her loving son Darren (Jody) Carey and her grandchildren Zachary and Kacey. Predeceased by her son Robert, father Lucien, mother Virginia and brother Lucien ‘Ted’, she will be greatly missed.

Valerie’s life was a dedication of peace, love and knowledge. After she retired from her role as a Library Technician at Thompson Rivers University, her commitment to find new ways to spread knowledge and encourage unity carried on while being politically active as a founding member of the Kamloops/Shuswap Peace Council and an organizing member of many International Woman’s Day events. When she was not participating in these and many other community events, she touched the lives and minds of people in her community by giving her time to the Walhachin Hall and Museum.

Due to the current issues surrounding COVID, a celebration of Val’s life will be held in the future. Please watch her Facebook page for an announcement.

Memorial donations in memory of Val can be made to the Turtle Valley Donkey Refuge at 7877 Skimikin RD, Chase BC, V0E 1M1 by going to their website https://turtlevalleydonkeyrefuge.com