It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Zagorski (née Yakubowich), on March 8th, 2021 at the age of 88. Mary, the middle child of five, was born in Koczan Gorodok, Poland in 1932 to Peter and Maria Yakubowich. After the war, Mary and her family immigrated to Canada and settled in the prairies. In 1952, she married Mike Zagorski in Flin Flon, Manitoba and together they went on to have five children. In 1967, the family decided to move to British Columbia where Mary fell in love with Kamloops and made it her permanent home. Mary worked as a care aide at Thrupp Manor Seniors Retirement home, then went on to work at Kamloops Home support Services until she retired.

Mary had many interests. In her younger years, she was a proud member of the Ladies Auxiliary at the Anavets. She was an avid crib player and won several tournaments and trophies throughout the years. She loved music, singing, and looked forward to occasional evenings of dancing with her friends. Mary loved to cook and bake, and you were often treated with something delicious upon visits. She gifted many beautiful sweaters, scarves and slippers which she hand knitted/crocheted. When Mary wasn’t tending to her home or visitors, she would often call and say “Let’s go to Bingo!”.

Mary was a wonderful and loving mother who gave her all to her family. Her home was always open to everyone, no matter the occasion. She always made sure everyone was fed and was fondly known as “Mom” by all who knew and loved her.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, Peter and Mary Yakubowich, her husband Mike Zagorski, her sisters Eva, Nadia and Kathy, her nieces, Anne and Tanya, and her son Micheal Zagorski. Mary is survived by her four children, Chester, Terry, Rita and John of Kamloops; her grandchildren Thea and Jonathan of Kamloops, Billy of Kelowna and Mitch of Vancouver. She is also survived by her brother Adam Yakubowich of Kamloops; her nieces, Lydia, Ruth and Mary of Winnipeg, and her nephews, Nick of Winnipeg, Tom of Edmonton, Tim and Terry of Kamloops, and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Nothing will be able to replace the emptiness in our hearts from Mary’s passing. She was one of the kindest, most selfless women to ever walk this earth and our family was blessed to have her in our lives.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the Alzheimer Society of BC. A private graveside service will be held at Hillside Cemetery for the family and a memorial service/celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to the family www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com

Barbara Jane Stankiewicz was born on July 3, 1934 in Revelstoke BC and pasted away in her sleep on March 11, 2021 at Gemstone Care Centre in Kamloops BC.

Barbara grew up in Vernon BC during the Second World War and her parents Milton and Kate Haner (with brother William “Bill”) helped the war effort by billeting a number of army solders. Barbara fondly remembers the evening debates that she was able to participate in for entertainment.

After graduating from Fulton high school Barbara moved to Victoria to get her teaching certificate from Victoria Normal School. In later years she completed her degree in Education by attending UBC in the summer.

Her first teaching job was in a very small school in Celista BC on the Shuswap Lake where she met her husband Henry Stankiewicz (Hank). The two were married and built their forever home on the Thompson River in Kamloops BC.  Barbara kept up her career that lasted more than 35 years, mostly split between Marion Schilling School in the early years and then later at Dallas Elementary School. She would often recall teaching students and later teaching the children of those past students, as the generations slipped by.

Once Barbara and Hank were established, they brought two sons into the world, Stewart and David. They taught strong family values of community, worship, volunteering and above all “love” as they both taught Sunday School at the United Church.

The Stankiewicz family tree grew through the years with Stewart marrying Valerie Carins with their granddaughter for Barbara named Serria. David married Laura Marshall and brought five more grandchildren into the picture, Riley, Fraser, Calvin (wife Andrea), Oliver, and Miranda (husband David). Most recently Miranda and David gave Barbara two great grandchildren, Oscar and new baby Anja.

After Barbara’s husband passed away in 2001, she moved to Sun Rivers Golf course where she bought a home and started new endeavors such as belonging to Retired Teachers and volunteering at the Sagebrush Theater.

Our Mom has gone to be with her Hank, along with all the family and friends that passed before her.

Condolences may be sent to the family from

www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com

With saddened hearts we grieve the loss of our Husband, Father, Grandpa and Great-grandpa.

Survived by his wife of 63 years, Elsie, daughters Suzanne (Augie) and Donna;  Grandchildren, Angela (Ryan), Lisa (Abbey), Ellen, Paul (Melanie) and Julie;  Greatgrandsons, Jacob, Isaac and Samuel;  brother, Walt (Elsie);  sister-in-law Irene (John) and many nieces and nephews.  Predeceased by his parents, brother Steven, granddaughter, Jocelyne and niece Jo-Ann.

Dad was born in Edmonton, his early life spent along the CN railway tracks in small communities from Kamloops to Jasper.  His teenage years were spent in Vancouver where he graduated in 1949 from Kitsilano High School.  After graduation Dad went to work for CN in Northern BC but after an accident that broke his ankle he returned to Vancouver to recuperate.  He returned to work in Vancouver as an Operator with CN, then a Dispatcher, and finished his career in Kamloops as the Chief Train Dispatcher in 1988 after almost 40 years.  His retirement was spent travelling, snowbirding in Texas, golfing and curling.  Dad was a wonderful cook and he was not shy to try something new and test it on the rest of the family.

Due to COVID-19, a private family service was held on March_20th___, 2021 with internment at Hillside Cemetery.  Flowers gratefully declined but if desired donations to Kamloops Hospice Association or Royal Inland Hospital Foundation are appreciated.

Sweet Dreams Dad

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www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com

February 9, 1923 – March 13, 2021

With great sadness we announce the passing of our father, Cirilo A. Ancheta on March 13, 2021 at the age of 98. Strong in spirit to the end. He was a  loving and devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and a friend. He’s gone to join his loving wife Adriana and son Gerry.

He leaves behind his 10 children, Minda Rudakewich, Fely (Willy Ulanday+) Frank (Rina), Alma (Efren Poca) Cristy (Sechai Chua), Shirley (Ed Jones), Angie (Philip Baisa), Evelyn (Francis Lam) Gerry+( Elma) and Ruel Ancheta, 29 grandchildren and 28 greatgrandchildren.

He was a self made man. At a young age, him and his four other siblings were orphaned. He was a working student, and finished his teaching career in the Philippines. He was a school teacher and became Principal and Administrator. He was a farmer and land owner. He was a Philippines Boy Scout Master and was at 10th World Jamboree at Mt. Makiling, Laguna , Philippines. He was once a ghost writer for the mayor and other political leaders in his home country, Philippines. Dad also worked at the U.S. Clark Air Force Base, Logistic Army Veterans.

He emigrated to Canada in 1977 with his daughter Shirley to join the other 2 daughters Minda and Fely and son Frank. And the rest of the family followed after. He worked for the City of Kamloops for 10 years and retired from there. He was an active member of the Filipino/Canadian Association and was a President for many years. He loved to garden (flowers and vegetables) and won a few awards for his gardening skills.

Our Dad was very hardworking man. He was very kind and helpful to others. He was loved by many for his kindness and generosity. He was always positive and could always see the good in everyone who is around him. He is a strong believer that God has a plan for everyone.

The family would like to send our sincere gratitude and thanks for the excellent care he has received from all his caregivers, especially to his loving daughter Cristy and husband Sechai, who cared for him for years until his passing. Thank you for the incredible love, care and attention you gave to our father.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions a celebration of Dad’s life will be held in the future when we can gather all together again.

The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, March 19, 2021 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Kamloops, BC. Father Vijay Martin OCD, Celebrant. Prayers were recited on Thursday, March 18, 2021 in the church. Following the Mass, Cirilo was laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery with his beloved wife Adriana.

Condolences may be sent to the family from

www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com

It is with breaking hearts we announce the passing of Ernie Vaillancourt at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops March 9, 2021 surrounded by family.

Born June 13, 1939 in Lafond, Alberta to Delphis Vaillancourt and Diane Foisy.

He was predeceased by his parents, Delphis and Diane Vaillancourt, sister Vivian Funk, brother-in-law Jack Funk, father-in-law and mother-in-law Alvin and Hazel Thompson, brother-in-law Ronald Thompson, and nephew Patrick Thompson.Read More & Leave Condolences »