Elena Luciana “Luci” Comparelli, 68, of Kamloops, BC, passed away on September 4, 2026, with family by her side. She was born to Rocco and Aurelia Baldassarre on January 22, 1958, in Vancouver, BC, and lived in a neighbourhood in Burnaby full of families that had immigrated to Canada from Italy. She graduated from Notre Dame Regional Secondary School in 1975, attended Simon Fraser University after graduation, and was married to Richard Comparelli in 1978.

Luci lived in various cities with her family including Burnaby, St. Albert, Edmonton, and Kamloops. She learned the value of hard work early in life from her parents and approached her own life and career with the same determination, independence, and strong work ethic. She worked for various employers, large and small, local, national, and international. She started out in retail and advanced through human resources, payroll, and concluded her career as a business analyst.

Despite being an accomplished career woman, she made time to live life to the fullest. She insisted on hosting weekly family get-togethers with her children and grandchildren and pursued a passion for travelling with immediate and extended family and friends. She was an avid race car fan, never forgot a niece or nephew birthday, read her way through the library, kept up with all the new Star Trek series and Harry Potter movies, and made sure every new baby born into her circle of friends and family received a baby blanket she knitted.

She didn’t sit idly by, but stood up for what she believed in and practiced what she preached. She volunteered with the Junior League of Edmonton, including a term as the president, and was always ready to support a good cause, not only through donations, but also with her time: she sponsored children outside of Canada, canvassed for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, did a knit-a-thon to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Institute, and supported pretty much any cause that came across her path. She was a patron of the arts and valued both visual and performing arts including ballet, Broadway, opera, and symphony productions.

She officially retired three different times in the last 15 years, but retirement was just the start of a new act which included personal development, a passion for collecting crystals, expanding her crafting to include crochet, and building her first (of many) Lego sets. But no matter what phase of life she was in, or who she met along the way, she was known to all as being compassionate, funny, and smart and spread kindness and warmth wherever she went. Through it all, she was a proud mother and Nonna. The many acts of her life may have come to an end, but the warmth, generosity, laughter, and love she shared left us all richer for having known her and will remain with us always.

Luci is survived by her husband, Richard; her three children, Brandon (wife, Elwira), Stephanie, and Robert (wife, Vashti); her three grandsons, Dominik, Sylvester, and Vincent; her two brothers, Mario (wife, Linda) and Tony (wife, Heather); and many nieces, nephews, and their families.

She was predeceased by her mother, Aurelia Baldassarre (Di Giovanni), and her father, Rocco Baldassarre.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 18, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Kamloops, 635 Tranquille Rd, with a reception to take place immediately afterward at the Colombo Lodge, 814 Lorne St, Kamloops, BC. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or Pancreatic Cancer North America: https://www.pancreaticcancernorthamerica.ca

“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and very dear.”

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

December 17, 1930 – August 31, 2026

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Vern Gollmar, in Kamloops, BC, at the age of 95.

Vern was born in Stuttgart, Germany, and immigrated to Canada in 1952, where he met the love of his life, Dolores, in London, ON. They moved west to Calgary, AB, in 1955. In 1967, Vern accepted a position with CFJC-TV and moved his family to Kamloops, BC. He retired in the 1990s from CFJC as Chief Engineer.

Throughout his life, Vern enjoyed many clubs and hobbies, including the Calgary Sports Car Club, sailing, camping, and world travel. He was also a longtime member of Probus and, of course, had a lifelong passion for amateur radio. He spent many years with the Kamloops Amateur Radio Club, where he developed many deep and lasting friendships.

Vern was predeceased by his wife, Dolores, after 56 years of marriage. He is survived by his daughters, Lynda (Richard), Monique (Dudley), Rita (Orest), and Michelle (Rob); his grandchildren, Mike, Kelly, Stephen, Meghan, Tanise, and Brit; and nine great-grandchildren, as well as many special and close friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held next summer. Details will be announced at a later date.

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

August 13, 1945 – July 24, 2026

Kathleen left us on July 24th , 2026 as she lived, gently and quietly. She was certainly welcomed home and embraced with love by her family and friends who have gone before her. She remains close in spirit to her family and friends remaining here which includes her special friend Harold, her children Sherie (Darcy), Brent and Brad, her grandchildren Caitlin & Bryan (Myrna), Angeline and Madison, her bonus grandchildren Cassie, Sarah, Emily, Darshae and Ayden, her sisters and many adored nieces, nephews and friends.

Kathleen was born in Edson, Alberta to the Payne family of 2 brothers and 6 sisters. At just 21 years old she was a wife and mother, running a home and caring for a three-year-old, an eleven-month-old and a new born baby. She made wonderful homecooked meals, canned fruits and vegetables, baked bread, cinnamon buns, whipped shortbread cookies and many other treats from scratch. One of everyone’s favourites was Tomato Soup Cake with Caramel Icing. They may have been too young to recognize those blessings then but can now appreciate the gifts of a stay-at-home mom and her labours of love. Kathleen was also a foster parent, providing love and safety and advocacy to many more children.

Her tiny, delicate stature and her incredible determination, strength and resilience was such a paradox. Tiny but tough! Courage is not the absence of fear. It is action in spite of fear. In spite of her fear of flying and her fear of water Kathleen took a job at River’s Inlet, a remote fishing camp on a barge on the ocean that required her to fly in on a small twin engine plane and land on the water just to get to work! She was brave!

Kathleen was a shy and private person so there may be things about her that some people may not know. She was a poet and made beautiful stained glass. She loved to sing and performed an entertaining Mick Jagger impersonation.

“People will forget what you said and what you did but they never forget how you made them feel.” Kathleen’s super power was her ability to be present and hold space for people. Her legacy will live on in all her loved ones who felt seen and heard and held by her.

To honor and keep Kathleen’s spirit close, be brave and do things that might scare you. Sing and create things. Bake a tomato soup cake. Most importantly see, hear and hold your loved ones. Thank you, Kathleen, for showing us what love looks like.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 1 p.m. in the Kamloops Funeral Home at 285 Fortune Drive, Kamloops, BC V2B 2H7.

Our deepest gratitude to Dr. Ferrell, Donalda and the Marjorie Willoughby Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marjorie Willoughby Hospice at 72 Whiteshield Crescent, Kamloops, BC V2E 2S9.

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

November 15, 1961 – May 23, 2026

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing Scott Robert Fraser.

Scott was a cherished son, brother, uncle and friend whose life touched everyone fortunate enough to know him. He showed us that kindness, and a meaningful life is measured not by limitations, but by the love we give and the joy we share.

He had a wonderful way of bringing happiness to those around him. His smile, laughter, and unique personality will remain treasured memories for his family and all who knew him. He found joy in dancing, swimming, playing poo l, The Brady Bunch, and being a prankster. He especially loved spending time with the people who meant the most to him. Scott (AKA Scotty, Uncle Scott, Gronk, Ronkasaurus) will be lovingly remembered by his family, caregivers, friends, and members of his community who became an important part of his life.

Though our hearts are broken by his passing, we are grateful for the sixty-four years we were blessed to have him with us.
His life was a gift, and his memory will live on in the hearts of everyone who loved him.

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