Your Guiding Hand On My Shoulder Will Remain With Me Forever

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our father William ‘Bill’ John Abley on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at the age of 72.  Bill was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, teacher, leader, mentor, and friend.  He will be remembered by everyone who knew him for his diligence, optimism and tireless devotion to everything he undertook. Bill loved to tell a good story and his sense of humor engaged all who listened.

Bill was predeceased by his parents William and Lilian (Hughes) Abley and his loving wife, Gwen (Angell) Abley.  He is survived by his three children: Bill (Nicole) Abley of Prince George, Jayne (Michael) Latta of Kamloops, Andrew (Lisa) Abley of Kamloops and his brothers Alun (Alison) Abley of Chetwynd, Wales and Stephen Abley of Kelowna, BC. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Christopher, Nicholas and Julia (Prince George), Isaac and Hannah (Kamloops) and Kenzie (Kamloops). Bill also leaves behind sister-in-laws, Gail Muliner-Ovington and Linda Angell, brother-in-law, Silvano ‘Tony’ Anthony Muliner, nieces, Brenda Muliner (Dmytro) and Tegan Abley and nephew Nathan Abley.

Bill was born in Nottingham, England on August 9, 1947 and spent the first 10 years of his life in Llandudno, Wales where he developed his love for European “football.” When he was 10 years old, Bill’s family immigrated to Canada, and settled in Kelowna, BC. This was where he developed his love for football (both the CFL and the NFL) and hockey.

In the summer of 1964, Bill met his future bride, Gwen Angell.  They married on August 24, 1968 and they shared a deep and abiding love until Gwen’s passing in 2017.

Bill started his working life with a career in banking. He worked at the Royal Bank branches in communities all over BC, eventually becoming a bank manager in Kitimat BC.

Bill’s true passion was working with children and in 1976, he became a teacher with the Kamloops-Thompson School District 73. His gift for leadership took him into administration when he became the Vice-Principal of Aberdeen Elementary in 1987.  Over the years he served as the president of the Kamloops Thompson Principals/Vice Principals Association (KTPVPA) as well as a member on the board of the BC Principals Vice Principals Association. In 2013, Bill finished his career as Principal of both Dufferin Elementary and Savona Elementary and was named a lifetime honorary member of the KTPVPA for his contributions and outstanding service.  Bill will be remembered as a tireless advocate for his students and a dedicated mentor to his colleagues.

But, Bill was not content with an idle retirement and became a marriage commissioner in 2014, marrying hundreds of couples.

In addition to his career as an educator, Bill was a founding member and at one time even the president of the Kamloops Heritage Railway. He was instrumental in getting the Spirit of Kamloops, Engine 2141, out of the park and back on the rails.

Bill’s faith was a cornerstone of his life. He was a founding member of the Kamloops Alliance Church and spent many weekends teaching Sunday School and serving the Lord through his leadership with the Stockade Christian boys club.

Bill was devoted to his grandchildren and he created a myriad of family traditions with them. From the annual boat races and “Kick the Can” at the Shuswap cabin to the full contact games of “Spoons”, Bill was a creative and fun-loving grandfather who simply adored spending time with his grandchildren. He will be remembered for the wisdom he bestowed and the joy he sparked.

The Funeral Service to honour his life will take place at 11:00 am on Friday, January 3, 2020 in the Kamloops Alliance Church, 200 Leigh Rd, Kamloops BC, with Pastor Andrew Picklyk officiating.

Bill’s family would like to thank the nurses, care aids and other staff of the Ridgeview Lodge in Kamloops who took exemplary care of Bill in the last years of his life. A special thank-you to Nadine, Kyla and Lyndsey who were so loving with his care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Terry Fox Foundation.

Swaran Kaur Bains of Kamloops passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at 81 years of age. She is survived by her loving husband Harbhajan Singh Bains, their children Narinder (Mandeep) Bains, Rashpal (Paramjit) Heer and Rashwinder (Satnam) Heer, grandchildren Amandeep (Onkar), Gurpreet (Jaspreet), Inderdeep, Harpreet (Gurmeet), Gurjeet, Inderpreet, Sarpreet and Amrit, and sister in-law Gurdev Kaur Dhillon. She was predeceased by her father Kirpa Singh, mother Harnam Kaur, one brother and three sisters.

Swaran Kaur was born in the village of Meghowal Doaba in Punjab, India in 1938. She moved to Canada in 1993 and has been living in Kamloops since then with her family (spouse, children and grandchildren.)

The family would like to offer a special thanks to Dr. Jeevyn Chahal, High Country nurses and staff, Interior Health Home Health nurses and staff, Overlander Extended Care Hospital and staff, and the East Indian Community Sports.

The Funeral Service will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 21, 2019 in the Kamloops Funeral Home, 285 Fortune Drive. Prayers will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 21, 2019 in the Gurudawara Sikh Cultural Society.

Swaran Kaur will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Amarjit Singh Sandhu of Kamloops BC, passed away peacefully in his home on Dec. 6^th ,2019 . Amarjit was born Aug. 5^th 1931 and he  is survived by his 4 children, 8grandchildren,and 2 great grandchildren.

A Funeral service will be held at the Kamloops Funeral Home Chapel (285 Fortune Drive ) on Saturday  December 14^th 2019 at noon.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Maria Dickie on December 6, 2019, as a result of Neuro-Endocrine Cancer.

Maria will be lovingly remembered and missed by her husband, Richard “Dick”, son Parry and granddaughter Amy. She also leaves behind three brothers, Albert Beaudoin, Marcel (Cherry) Beaudoin, and Paul (Dawn) Beaudoin and six sisters, Anna (Ludger) Arsenault , Stella (Ross) Ireland, Claire (Clarence) Wilson, Simone (Ernie) Robinson, Paulette Vidomski and Adèle (Paul) Amyotte. Maria was predeceased by her infant son Travis, parents Ernest and Thérèse Beaudoin and brother Raymond Beaudoin.  Also left to mourn are many nieces and nephews, extended family and a large circle of friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Hospice Home, 72 Whiteshield Cres. South Kamloops BC V2E 2S9.

Maria’s Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, January 6, 2020 in the Kamloops Funeral Home, 285 Fortune Dr., with Pastor Andrew Picklyk officiating.

Berthe left us quietly during Monday’s snow with her family at her side. Born in St Norbert Manitoba to Maurice and Dianne, Berthe remained in Manitoba where she completed high school, earned her radiologist certificate, and met Stan, a tall air force pilot from the west. This last event led to a 38 year marriage that included a number of moves and the births of Sandra, Mike, Bill, Rob, Roxanne, and Kevin.

Berthe and Stan settled in Kamloops and built the family home in Brock in 1969. Berthe, Stan, and a varying number of their and other people’s children stayed in the Hall House until Stan’s Passing in 1993. Berthe lived alone for many years until another tall man won her heart. Berthe and Jack shared 10 years of marriage before Jack’s passing.

Berthe’s accomplishments and roles were many. Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Union President, Health Board chair, President of ASK Wellness, aspiring politician, YMCA woman of the Year, Kamloops Woman of Distinction, and more. Much of Berthe’s good work was done out of the public eye while in the kitchen, the sewing room, or around the kitchen table acting as an informal Ombudsman for those in need. Berthe’s faith was a major component of her life and she was as active in the church as in the home or community. Travel became a major factor for Berthe later in life and she enjoyed many winters in Mexico where she became a friend and benefactor to many.

The Family would like to thank the RIH staff in Emergency and 6 North, the staff and volunteers at Kamloops Hospice, and all those that shared a word or prayer during Berthe’s final days.

Prayers will be recited for Berthe on Thursday, December  12 at 7:00 pm,  The Funeral Mass will be held for Berthe on Friday, December 13, 2019 at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 635 Tranquille Road,  reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Berthe’s name to the Kamloops Hospice Association or the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation.