It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of Clifford Yaciw , on May 4^th 2020 in Kamloops. Cliff was predeceased by his loving wife Mickey and is survived by one brother Max and one sister Mary also by his seven children Frank, Michael , Janet , Allan , Yvonne , Angela and Karen. Cliff had moved to Clearwater in 1972 where he started working for the Vavenby Mill until his retirement in 1990. Cliff enjoyed the great outdoors, camping and fishing with his family and friends.  There will be a Celebration of his life at a later date in Clearwater.

April 28, 1929- April 29, 2020

Jessie passed away peacefully in the early morning of Wednesday, April 29, one day after her 91^st birthday. God came and took her to His everlasting home in Heaven.

She is survived by her sons, David, Donald (Lynn) and Mark, and was a Baba to six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Jessie is also survived by her siblings, Bill, Morris (Lorna), Don (Bernice), Mary (Dave) Emery and Elsie Kinaschuk, and many nieces and nephews that loved Aunt J. She was predeceased by her mom and dad, William and Annastia Prokop, baby sister Olga, sister Ann, brothers Joe and John, daughter in-law Lena, and partner Bill.

Jessie lived a very independent life at her Scotch Creek home, always puttering around doing things. She loved her flowers and little garden, always making sure the hummingbird feeders were filled. Jessie loved all wild creatures and the beautiful view of the lake and mountains. She always took time to have a cup of tea or a coffee with her neighbours, and muffins were always available. 

We will miss her dearly, but she will always be a part of us.

We love you, The Family.

A Graveside Burial Service was held at Hillside Cemetery for Jessie on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, with Father Andrzej Wasylinko officiating. Due to covid, the service was family only.

The family would like to offer a special thanks to Father Andrzej – you were with us all the way, and to all the staff at Ponderosa Lodge for your loving care, especially Shirley and Monica.

February 20, 1923 – April 26, 2020

With heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Orlo Grace North on April 26, 2020 at the age of 97. 

Daughter of Archie and Grace Fleger, Orlo was born on February 20, 1923 in Gladstone, Manitoba. She was raised in the Coldstream district west of Neepawa, Manitoba until leaving to attend business school in Winnipeg.  She was working in Winnipeg when she met her husband, Roy, at a dance in Franklin, Manitoba.  He was serving in the RCAF at the time, stationed at McDonald AFB.  They were married on August 4, 1944 and farmed in the Brookdale, Manitoba area after his discharge. They were the proud parents of two sons, Kenneth and Laury.  In 1955 the family moved to Brandon and then in 1958, to Fort St. John, BC.  They subsequently returned to Brandon in 1961 before moving to Langenburg, SK in 1963.  Orlo and Roy moved to the BC lower mainland in the early ‘70s where Roy passed away suddenly in 1980.  Orlo returned to Brandon in 1980 to be near her elderly father.  

Orlo then relocated to Kamloops in 1994, where she came to make many new friends. It was here that she would meet the second love of her life, Mr. John Kuharski. The love shared by these two made everyone smile. They were constantly giggling, teasing and telling stories, often described as “a couple of teenagers”. Quite a description considering they were married when Orlo was 85 and John was 87! Their love was inspirational, a love that brings a tear to your eye. 

Orlo is survived by her husband John, as well as her son Laury, daughter-in-law Arlene, grandchildren Dan (Casey) and Jen (Jon), and great grandchildren Hailey and David. She is sadly predeceased by her son Ken, brother Jim, and sister Gwen. She is also survived by loving in-laws, nieces, nephews and a host of long-time friends. She will be fondly remembered by Laury’s extended family as well as John’s children and their extended families. 

Orlo’s laughter and music will be sincerely missed, especially by her friends at The Shores. The family is very grateful for the amazing, caring support Orlo received at The Shores, Royal Inland Hospital and Overlander Extended Care. Thank you to the nurses and caregivers who took such excellent care of her, especially in her final days.

In respect of social distancing, a service will be held later when we can all gather together to celebrate and remember a life well lived.

On Saturday, April 25^th our beloved Mom passed away peacefully, surrounded by the things most precious to her.  We will be forever grateful to Kamloops Seniors Village for their compassion and support through these past four months.  Mom loved her new home and mentioned the hug every night that her Care Aide gave her before she went to sleep.

Mom and her twin sister Catherine were born at Royal Inland Hospital 89 years ago.  Their birth caused quite a stir in the community because so few multiple births survived.  For many years people would knock on the Owens’ front door and ask to see the twins!  Mom was raised in a happy, loving home by Jessie and William Owens.  In addition to Catherine (Ken), she had an older brother (Dr.) Bill Owens (Marion) and little sister Jeanette (Bill) McQuay.  Except for Marion, her family are all gone now.

In 1954 Mom married the love of her life, Victor Newman of Brocklehurst.  They were hard workers and made each other laugh every day.  Mom had two kids, Vicci and Bobby, who she was fiercely proud and protective of.  She loved being a mother-in-law to Cathy Newman and Tony Ryan.  In fact, she often mentioned that she loved them ‘best’.  Christine (Bob & Cathy’s daughter) was Mom’s only grandchild for many years but later in life Carling, Erin (Mitchell) and Caitie joined the Newman Clan when Vicci married Tony.  Christine was so lucky to grow up next to her Grandparents at the lake.  In addition to her immediate family, Mom opened her home and heart to three people that we consider important members of our family; Jim, Susanna and Alex.

For over 20 years Mom worked for the Kamloops School Board as the Teacher-On-Call Secretary.  At work by 5:30am, Mom would field calls from teachers who were ill. In the years before automation, Mom knew all the elementary teachers by name, knew what kind of teaching style they had and was able to select the right sub for the right classroom.  She knew the subs individually just by the sound of their voices. 

After she and Dad retired they spent many happy days with her siblings at Shuswap Lake.  All the Owens siblings had purchased in the Sorrento area and they saw each other daily.  This meant the cousins saw each other frequently, and to this day the cousins call the Shuswap, ‘Auntie Wyne’s Lake!’

Wyne and Vic loved their life.  They had a close, happy family which included the Newman siblings – Gwen, Darrel and Melvin (Sybil) and many dear friends.  Mom was involved in Beta Sigma Phi, played golf at the Kamloops Golf Club and was a part of the same Bridge Club for over 50 years. For many years Mom had an ‘Antique Lady Party’ every November, which included 40 or so ladies who came to drink wine and eat fancy sandwiches.  Dad was the only man invited, and he loved being the bartender!!  Later in life she and Rae Morelli held Happy Hour daily until Mom lost her dear friend in 2010. The Happy Hour Gang included her long-time friends: Mavis, Gwen, Rudy and John who continued to meet every Tuesday until this past February.  Mom looked forward to this special day with reverence.  Over the years Bob and Pat Ryan joined many Happy Hours and supported Mom at every turn!  She loved her friends!

The Owens family were Presbyterians and Mom loved going to church.  When Dad asked Mom to marry him she replied, “Only if you become a member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church!” They were married in the church 66 years ago, and at the time of her death she was the oldest living member.  From childhood our parents had a framed bible verse that hung in the kitchen, “John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever  believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life”.  Over the years our family has known the ministers at the church and considered them family friends.  Mom would want George Peters, Harold Weist and Steve Fylik to know how much she enjoyed their visits and support in the last few years.

Bonnie Tindall was Mom’s private Care Aide.  In truth, she is an angel who worked with Mom night and day and always put Mom’s needs before her own.  Mom loved her deeply and our family owes Bonnie an immense debt of gratitude.

We asked Mom a couple of years ago what she wanted to be remembered for once she had passed away.  She said, “That I was good, and I needed more wine!”  Her final words to loved ones were “Enjoy your lives, and the truth is I don’t wanna go anywhere!!!”

In lieu of flowers (which Mom loved) the family would appreciate a donation to the ‘RIH Foundation’ in Wyne’s memory.  There will be no service at this time but the family will hold a memorial, God willing, when times are safer.

George passed away on April 3, 2020. George was born on May 22, 1955 in Kitchener, Ontario moving to BC in 1979.

Upon graduation he received a scholarship for Optometry and was attending college when he decided to pursue his love of motorcycle racing instead. He went on to become a factory certified motorcycle mechanic. George spent years racing, winning many trophies and medals. George represented Canada at the ISDE races held in Poland and Spain. In 1985 he won a bronze medal in Spain. Later in life George discovered snowmobiling and became very passionate about building the perfect machine.

George is survived by his son Jordan, his mother Rose, his brother Bob, his sister Mary- Ann and their families.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.