With heavy hearts, we announce the sudden passing of Leona Blower. She died unexpectedly at the age of 53 on Dec. 12, 2020 of natural causes. Leona leaves behind her brother Roy (Jill), and nieces Megan and Brooke, family in Germany including her brother Dieter and niece Corinna, sister in law Sherry and her daughter Teah, as well as special family friend Becky. Leona was predeceased by her mom, Katherina, and brother, Ramsey. Leona will also be missed by many friends that she made growing up in Westsyde and working at various places throughout her life, most recently at Don’s Auto Towing for the past ten years. Leona enjoyed the simple pleasures in life such as a cup of coffee and a good book. She loved to travel with friends and enjoyed a good steak dinner. Those that knew Leona remember how she always took the time to ask questions because she was interested in them. She was proud of her nieces and loved to utilize her photography skills at family events. We are unable to come together to honour Leona due to Covid restrictions right now, but Roy and Jill plan to host a gathering when restrictions are lifted where we can all raise a shot of Patron to remember Leona.  

Condolences may be sent to the family from

www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com

With heavy hearts we announce that, on December 7, Darcy Donald Railton passed away peacefully at the age of 60. He fought a long difficult battle with melanoma and refusing any strong medications so that he wouldn’t miss a moment of life. He was amazing to everyone who cared for him. He is survived by his wife Linda who was also his child hood friend knowing each other for 50 years. Also survived by his daughter Jesse and husband Mike McCrindle, grandson Wyatt. His brothers Lionel Railton (Kelly) 3 nephews, Scott Railton (Julie). Mother and father in-law Jim and Beth Bolton,  brother in-laws Jim and Jerry ( also best friend). His special and dear Aunt, Lynn Ashcroft, cousins Lyle and Brad Railton. Also survived by many more relatives. Predeceased by his parents Don Railton and Darlene Railton. Also paternal grandparents and maternal grandparents. Darcy was born in Dawson Creek on July 25, 1960. Raised as a child in Mica Creek (where he met Linda) and later moving to Kamloops as a teenager. His career began in following the men in his family’s footsteps and operating heavy equipment in the union with Local 115. Then operating drill tecs for his Uncle Meryle’s company Westrail construction. After years of construction Darcy ended his working career as a Kamloops city bus driver for 10 years. 4 years ago Darcy moved with family members onto a hay farm in Chase. His daughter has Cow Pony Equestrian and he helped with starting Little Wyatt’s petting zoo. His ideas and efforts at the farm were a great asset and are going to be forever missed. Darcy loved his pets cats, dogs and Sqeeker the dwarf goat. His special love was for Hunter his border collie dog. Darcy loved fishing and camping trips, especially the yearly holiday at Canyon Hot Springs His hobbiesincluded working on vehicle projects or growing his yearly beautiful tomatoes. A special thank you to Kamloops hospice for their great care and all his doctors. A celebration of life for Darcy will be held with family and friends in May 2021 at the Chase farm. Announcement will be made closer to the time and anyone wishing to join should contact the family. Donations can be made to the melanoma skin foundation. 

Condolences may be sent to the family from

www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com

Elizabeth (Betty) Mary Lingren passed away Friday December 11, 2020 at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, BC.

Born in Kamloops on May 09, 1930, Betty lived her life as a homemaker to a loving family. Betty was predeceased by her husband William (Bill) Lingren (August 2016) and daughter Dianne Lingren (May 2019) of Kamloops, BC, and by her parents Jocelyn and Rodger Ellis of Pritchard, BC.

Left to mourn her passing are her children Jeff (Kathy), Karen (Dustin) and Warren (Kim), also eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Due to COVID 19 restrictions, there will be no formal ceremony. The family will have a private gathering to celebrate the life of Betty at a later date.

The family wishes to thank all the management and staff at Chartwell Ridgepointe Retirement Residence where Betty and Bill spent their final years, and the staff on 5 South at RIH who cared for Betty during her final days.

Condolences may be sent to the family from

www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com

December 6, 1943 – December 10, 2020

Gurdev Kaur Chahil, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother of Kamloops BC, passed away unexpectedly on December 10, 2020 at the age of 77.

Gurdev is survived by her husband of 56 years Tara Singh Chahil; her children, Harjinder (Balwinder) Chahal of Dalla, India, Sukhjeevan (Jaspreet) Chahal of Kamloops, Ravdip (Bhupinder) Gill of Surrey and Rajdeep (Jagraj) Gill of Calgary. Also survived by her sister Prittam (Jagdish) Chahal of Kamloops BC and Sukhminder (Balwinder) Singh India. Predeceased by brothers; Dalwara (Sukhdev) Singh and Gulzara (Jaswant) Singh and little sister Ranjit (Gamdhoor) Kaur.  Gurdev will be lovingly missed by her grandchildren; Harmeet (Ranbir), Harmanpreet, Harjeet, Paul, Shawn, Davina, Chandan, Shania, Karmveer, Simran, Amrit and the entire Chahal family.

Gurdev was born in Bhaini, India on December 6, 1943 to late Hazoor Singh and late Chand Kaur Dhaliwal. She married and moved to Dhalla, India. Gurdev immigrated to Canada in 1995 to be with her children who were the most important part of her life.

Gurdev was a devoted member of the Kamloops Sikh Cultural Society where she enjoyed performing Seva.  She was a social woman involved in many cultural and social activities, including preparing langar for the congregation. She also could be found gardening and cooking for her family.  She will be deeply missed by her friends, family and all the lives she touched in her gentle presence.

Due to COVID restrictions a private funeral service is scheduled for family for 11:00 am on December 19, 2020 at the Kamloops Funeral Home followed by Sehaj Path. Livestream of funeral service is available for all.   Akhand Path and Memorial Service will be scheduled in honour of her memory post Covid.

Condolences may be sent to the family from

www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com

Leo Alphonse Benoit passed away peacefully on Dec 6, 2020, at the age of 90 in Kamloops. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years Maree Mary. Leo was born on January 25, 1930, in Terrace BC to Leon and Anna Benoit.

Leo is also survived by his children Elaine (Peter), Tom (Peggy), Keray (Marianne), Steven (Barb), and Moray. Also, his grandchildren Cody (Jacquie) Phillips, Amy Phillips, Petra (Mark) Hoosein, Michael (Helen) Boronowski, Brian (Jessie) leVann, Michael Benoit, Stephanie Benoit, Lachlan Benoit, Devon (John) Graham, Jason (Leah) Benoit, Jarrod (Satricia) Benoit, Hannah Benoit, Sophie Benoit. Leo and Maree also have 16 great-grandchildren.

Leo was the 6^th in a family of 10 children; Ovid, Ivan, Irene, George, Peter, Helene, Marianne, Speedy, and David. Born into the beginning of the “dirty thirties” Leo spent his time helping his mother tend the large garden and cooking on the woodstove, something he did all of his life. Raised on the banks of the Skeena River, he was taught to fish and hunt by his brother Ivan and continued to be an avid outdoorsman with an environmental conscience, which he passed on to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Leo was a “working man” and was pulled out of school at age 12 to join his brothers in the logging industry with his first job horse logging “in behind” Smithers. At age 18 Leo joined the navy and was stationed in several naval ports including Victoria where he met and married Maree.

Leaving the navy with qualifications in heavy-duty mechanics and fuel injection he worked in many towns and cities throughout BC and Alberta with his young and growing family.

The family settled down in Williams Lake where all of the children graduated, and Leo and Maree started Northland Equipment and Rentals Ltd. They then sold the business and started their lifelong dream; the B7 Ranch at Meldrum Creek. Years later with the children leaving home they returned to town, Leo working for SD 24, running small businesses, building spec houses, and helping Maree look after the children in her daycare. Leo was active in the community with the Lions, Air Cadets, Scouts, and hockey teams.

Maree and Leo travelled around BC and the world to visit their children and then established a home overlooking McLeese lake. This was where the grandchildren formed fond memories of helping him in his garden, fishing, and playing competitive card games like crib. Leo and Maree eventually settled down in Kamloops to be close to Family. Leo’s greatest pride and legacy was his large and loving family.

There will be a gathering of family and friends next year when appropriate to remember Leo and celebrate his life.

Thank you to the staff at The Hamlets for looking after Leo.

Condolences may be sent to the family from

www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com