It is with great sadness that the family of Laura Jean Graham announces her passing on July 26^th, 2022 in Kamloops, BC at the age of 67.  Laura was born in Vancouver on November 3^rd, 1954.

She is survived by her son Graham Hendry of Vancouver; her siblings Mike (Sharon) Graham of Coquitlam and Nancy (Michael) Sharkey of Gibsons; her nephews Russell and Rhys Sharkey; stepchildren Paul (Lisa) Rodd [their daughter, Olivia], Courtney (Benjamin) Rodd, and Ben Rodd; and countless family friends, ladies’ golf partners, and PEO sisters. Laura was predeceased by her parents Shirley (2012) and Gordon Graham (2015), and her second husband Gordon Rodd (2021).

Laura was a strong-willed, passionate, and creative soul. At a young age, she spent countless hours at the rink honing her figure skating skills. Early mornings, with a chocolate bar in hand, this is where Laura practiced and started to perfect her work ethic, her driven nature, and her determined attitude.

Spending most of her formative years growing up in Vancouver, Edmonton and Chilliwack, Laura set out for the University of Victoria, after a trip to the States helped her choose between pursuing a career in fashion or education. Once earning her undergraduate degree in Honours English, she spent the next 6 months backpacking in Europe with some friends.  Upon returning home, Laura taught a few years in Hope, B.C. before moving to Kamloops where she met her first husband, Wayne Hendry, and she spent the remainder of her career, teaching anything from Textiles, Physical Education to English Literature- her passion.  Upon entry into administration, Laura could not leave the classroom behind and taught small classes of English Literature at NorKam (as a vice principal) and Valleyview (as principal) so the programs could get up off the ground; never skipping an opportunity to dress up as Queen Elizabeth, she would encourage the students to don traditional garments and have an Elizabethan feast.  Whether it was the countless hours she spent sewing costumes for school productions, helping sponsor school sports teams, or coaching and encouraging her son’s various sporting endeavours, Laura was always keen to lend a helping hand. She was also extremely proud of coming from a family of educators and cherished that her son followed in the family footsteps.

The family cabin at Loon Lake- built by Laura’s grandparents- offered up a great place for respite between each school year. It was a place that family and friends cherish many memories of Laura: during the day sun tanning and fishing on the pontoon boat, in the evenings around the campfire, and at any point around the table playing a rousing game of cards.  Laura’s determined nature prompted the rebuild efforts after the original cabin was lost to the wildfires in 2017.

Retirement brought on several new opportunities for Laura.  She found love again with her second husband, Gord- whom she married in the summer of 2011- and created a new home in Sun Rivers in 2015. Laura continued to give back in terms of her involvement in the local PEO chapter, as well as helped organize Ladies’ golf nights at Big Horn Golf & Country Club.  Retirement also offered up the opportunity to travel more, whether it be to Hawaii, Mexico, or Largo, Florida to escape the Thompson Okanagan winters. She was able to devote more time to family, support her aging parents and cheer on the younger generation- earning her nickname “Auntie Camera” – as an enthusiastic photographer of events, gatherings and family milestones.

‘…People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ – Maya Angelou

There will be a Celebration of Life held in the Summer of 2023.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to an educational charity of your choice or to the G.W. Graham Endowment Entrance Scholarship (established by Laura’s grandfather) at the University of the Fraser Valley here https://connect.ufv.ca/give-to-ufv. If you have inquiries on your gift in honor of Laura, please call Anita Nielsen at 604-851-6300.

Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
250-554-2577

It is with great sadness that we announce Gerald Vaillancourt born June 10, 1939 who is loved and respected by many passed the night of August 7. His wife of 58 years Ginny was by his side as he departed as were his daughter Candace and Son-in-law Tom. He left the world surrounded by love It is hard to sum up such a great man, loving husband and supportive father in a few words.

A dedicated loving husband to Ginny. Caring gentle father to Linda (Bart), Gordon (Bev), Raymond (Becky) and Candace (Tom). He was blessed with 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Gerald was a kind and gentle man of few words who exuded compassion with every person he encountered. His wife Ginny was his great love and his best friend. He was the silent strength by her side as she buzzed around with never ending energy. He was the calm that centered her through life’s ups and downs.

Unconditional love with gentle guidance was how he fathered each of us children/grandchildren. Taking the time to get to know each of us as individuals and gently guiding us to grow at our own pace. Developing us as strong independent individuals who were free to be ourselves as we always knew we had the support of this strong man to fall back on.

He liked to be out in nature as much as possible fishing, hunting and rodeos. He developed deep and life long friendships as he was the type of man who always had your back.

We love you and will carry your lessons forward. You have returned to nature the place you love the most. You will be missed.

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250-554-2577

October 14, 1928 – August 8, 2022

Harry Goodwin of Kamloops, BC passed away peacefully Monday, August 8^th, 2022 at the age of 93.

His memory will be cherished by his loving four children, 13 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren and 1 great great grand child.

Harry was predeceased by his wife Marlene, his son Vern and great grandson Gavin.

Harry’s kind, gentle, fun loving, dancing spirit will be missed by all who knew him.

We will love you forever and always. Dear dad, papa, grandpa, uncle, brother and friend.

Condolences may be sent to the family from
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250-554-2577

It is with deep sadness that we announce that Teja Singh Theara, 85, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2022 at Royal Inland Hospital, his wife and three children were by his side until his last moments.

Teja was born on November 11, 1936
in Marnaian Kalan, Punjab India the son of Ujjagar Singh & Pritam Kaur.
He married Maninder Kaur on
June 29, 1959.

Teja grew up in India with his 6 siblings. He worked hard to become a veterinarian in India and was the epitome of selflessness and giving to his family and community. He sacrificed his own needs to bring his family to Canada to ensure that they could live fulfilling and prosperous lives.

Teja immigrated  to Canada in 1968 to Williams Lake and then moved to Kamloops in 1971 to work at Tolko Mill. He worked tirelessly for 30 years until his retirement in 2001.

He is well respected and loved by the Sikh community in Kamloops, which he devoted his time to foster and support. In his personal life, Teja had a deep love for his fruitful garden, was a considerable handyman, and enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren. His laugh was contagious and undeniable and will always be remembered.

Teja is survived by his three children, his daughters Rita Kaur Mattoo and Ranvir Kaur Khungay and his son Harpeet Singh Theara; his son-in-law Amrik Singh Mattoo; his daughter-in-law Sukhjinder Kaur Theara; his seven grand children Rhamir Singh Mattoo, Ryan Singh Khungay; Simina Kaur Mattoo-Grewal; Kevin Singh Khungay; Ahjan Singh Mattoo; Damon Singh Theara and Halle Kaur Theara; and his great grandchild Marco Singh Mattoo who will all continue to carry out his legacy with the love and respect he emulated to them.

For those wanting to show their respects, funeral services will be held on August 13, 2022 at 2:00pm at Kamloops Funeral Home on 285 Fortune Drive.

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250-554-2577

Elizabeth Karpluk died at age 88 on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, with family by her side.

She was predeceased by husband Alex Karpluk. She will be missed by her children: Lindsey Karpluk (Janice), John Karpluk (Marie-Ellen), Paula Swint (Terry) and Teresa Wallace (Kevin), son in-law Reg Swint, grandchildren Nicolas (Aya), Brynden (Alexa), Jessica (Jeremy), Steen, Cara, Matthew (Christina), Alix and Nicole, great grandchildren Molly, Johannes and Hudson, with three more on the way. She is survived by her sister Phyllis Newman (Wilbert) and sister-in-law Liz Kryzanowski. She was also predeceased by parents Phillip and Mary Krezanowski, brother John Kryzanowski (Liz), sister Angela (John) and many Lower Mainland and Alberta relatives. Many special family pets included dogs Roosevelt, Macy, Winston and Marty and the hop farm cats.

Elizabeth — known as “Baba” — was born in 1933 on the family farm in Chipman, Alberta to Mary and Phillip Krezanowski. The first of four children, she had many responsibilities on the farm. At age 16, she left home to complete high school. She talked about riding to school on a cart pulled by a Shetland pony. When she finished school, Liz moved to Edmonton and worked as a seamstress at the Army and Navy, sewing GW jeans before she took a job in advertising at Woodward’s, where she painted signs, set up windows and decorated floats for Klondike Days.

At night, she was a coat-check girl at a popular dance club, where she met Al. Liz and Al were married in Edmonton and moved to Kamloops, where they raised four children.

Al was a CNR engineer and, during a long strike, Liz used her seamstress skills to help family cashflow by sewing bridal dresses. Unbelievably, they were priced $30 for 30 or more hours of work by hand. Liz became famous as the neighbourhood’s top baker. She made endless cookies, cakes, pies, donuts and loaves of bread. Her children remember coming home from school to freshly baked goodies, which were shared with friends and others in the neighbourhood. Liz also often had a big pot of borscht on the stove and made the world’s best perogies and cabbage rolls, harkening back to her Ukrainian heritage. Liz was so famous for her cooking that she had a regular segment on Lois Cutler’s television show, which aired in the afternoons on CFJC TV. Liz’s home garden was abundant with vegetables, fruit and flowers. Most family summers were spent canning and freezing to prepare for winter, with nothing going to waste.

Liz drove Al to work at all hours so she could have access to the car and drive the children around to various activities. In between, she volunteered for minor hockey, Brownies (as Snowy Owl), sewed uniform numbers and dance outfits, coached softball, taught sewing for parks and rec and delivered Meals on Wheels. She styled her children’s hair when they were gymnasts and divers, processing Toni perms to keep up with hair fashion of the time.

As a long-standing member of Kamloops Curling Club, Liz also became a curler of note. She curled in any league she was permitted, including: the CNRA, Kami Business Girls, the Nisei

League and a variety of seniors leagues. She helped initiate floor curling in Kamloops, which still exists today for seniors at the Heritage House downtown. Her greatest curling accolades included: two eight-enders (one in ice curling and one in floor curling), winning the B.C. Senior Women’s Curling Championship, being named all-star lead at the Canadian Seniors Curling Championship (which she attended three times) and her induction into the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame in 2020 for competitive consistency on the Eve Skakun Rink. She made more than 20 trips to the senior games.

When the children grew up, Liz went back to work as a floral designer. She worked for Sahali Flowers and Newell Flower Shop and eventually bought and operated her own store, Flowers by Valleyview, where she cut flowers alongside her daughter, Paula. Liz enjoyed doing deliveries, so she could go out and visit everyone who received beautiful bouquets.

Al died too young, which was difficult on Liz. Soon, however, eight grandchildren came along and a traveling companion in Wilf Schneider. Baba was an amazing grandmother, always delivering birthday gifts, cheering on the sidelines for every sport and giving the best back scratches and hugs. She fostered three generations of Kamloops residents. Liz and Wilf loved to take cruises to exotic locations and bus trips to Reno and Leavenworth to see the Christmas lights.

Liz also loved camping, fishing, golf and watching the Edmonton Oilers and Edmonton Eskimos.

Liz was a devoted Catholic and founding member of Holy Family Parish in Valleyview. She was a charter member for decades in the Catholic Women’s League. She worked tirelessly for any event or mission the church commissioned until her first stroke, advocated for pro-life and supported St. Ann’s Academy. She made more than 100 blood donations. Her charity work went beyond what can be measured.

Standing less than five feet tall and weighing less than 100 pounds, Liz was small in stature but had the biggest heart. She loved her family until her heart stopped beating at RIH. Her family will miss her big smile and blue eyes and will forever strive to emulate her selflessness, though her shoes seem impossible to fill. The family would like to thank Dr. Baker of Calgary and Dr. Kelly of RIH 6 North, along with numerous nurses and care aides, who allowed her to die with dignity and comfort. Liz’s personal care aide, Bonnie Tindall, was a huge support and dear friend to the family, guiding them on Liz’s journey.

Prayers will be recited, Sunday, August 7th at 5:30pm in and Mass will be held Monday, August 8th at 10am, in he Holy Family Parish – 2797 Sunset Drive, Kamloops, BC V2C 4K7.

Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
250-554-2577