With great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our dear Mother, Michelina Astorino (Grande), on December 3rd, 2020.

Michelina was born on January 28th, 1929, in Scigliano Cosenza, Italy. She is predeceased by her loving husband of 53 years, Mario Astorino.

Michelina will be dearly missed by her two daughters, Valerie (Gary) Kidd and Marialina (Rick) White. She also leaves to cherish her memory six grandchildren Ryan (Vicki), Aaron (Keri), Troy (Kyla), Natalie, Jessica (Joseph), and Nicole as well as nine beautiful great grandchildren Lynden, Kylan, Annabella, Olivia, Charlotte, Grace, Emery, Drayden,  Chaysen and her brother, Natalino (Amba) Grande.

We will always treasure many memories of our Mother enjoying her garden, cooking family dinners and laughing with her friends over coffee and cookies , her greatest joy were her grandchildren and great grandchildren who she showered the love and affection.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers at the Kamloops Adult Day Program where Michelina enjoyed many happy days. We also wish to thank Mom’s caregivers at Royal Inland Hospital and Ridgeview Lodge for the excellent care and compassion she received.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation (rihfoundation.ca).

Arrangements entrusted to Kamloops Funeral Home.

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www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com

We are saddened to share that our dear mom Doreen left us December 2, 2020. She was always proud to share the story of her beginning as an Oven Door baby. She was born March 24, 1924 in their Saskatchewan farmhouse to Ida and William Oldhaver. Her twin brother did not live. The doctor said at 2 ½ pounds she probably won’t survive so put her in a shoe box on the oven door and against incredible odds she did survive for 96 years & 8 months!

Her life partner Cecil passed away 2 years ago just after their 71^st anniversary, August 2018. They fell in love during WWII after being neighbourhood friends from the time they were 10. Mom bravely followed dad on many fishing trips, their winter trips to California, many moves and building projects. Mom nursed our dad through many serious health issues. She truly was a faithful and loving wife.

Mom worked for Boeing in Richmond, BC building planes during the war. She took her teachers training at Normal School in Vancouver. She was so proud of being a teacher and taught in many different places, the last being Red Lake School and a small school on their ranch in Tranquille Valley in the Kamloops area. She was an extraordinary cook and baker, letter and diary writer, seamstress, gardener, rancher, mother, wife, grandma, foster mom, and business partner. Mom cooked delicious meals for everyone who came to their home. She cooked meals wherever they wandered in their camper van or trailers. She loved being a grandma and looked after her grandchildren when they came for weekends or extended stays. She cooked meals & cookies and delivered them to her sons and their children. She was exceptionally proud of her membership in many volunteer groups. She often was one of the original members and executive of the boards. One of her favourite places they lived was Parksville in Vancouver Island. Mom loved the small community, living on the ocean and going for walks along the beach. She left a piece of her heart there when they moved back to Kamloops. Mom wrote a daily diary on whatever was handy and kept track of meals, visitors, the weather, and what was happening. She wrote long letters to dad when he was away during the war and to Judy & Rick when they lived in the NWT and Yukon. We still have those diaries and letters to treasure.

Mom leaves to celebrate her life: sister Glady Blackwood, children Judy (Rick) Fehr, Calvin, Darryl, John (Elaine), grandchildren Kari (Mitch) Currie, Terry (Shantall), Brittney (Jon) Ekelund, Nicole (Curtis) Jansen, Will (Margo) Fehr, Caitlyn, Tyson (Kyla), great-grandchildren Maverick Currie, Leo & Griffin Fehr, Maddi & Brooklyn Ekelund. She was predeceased by her brother Alvin in 1997.

There will be a private graveside service and a celebration of life will be held when we can gather safely. It was mom’s wish that we gather in the summer when it is safe to travel.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to the Arthritis Society, one of Doreen’s charities.

Messages of condolences can be sent to fehrjudy@gmail.com www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com                                         

Margaret (Shortt) Dutton was born in Nipawin, Sask to Mary and Geroge Shortt. She was the youngest of eight children. She is survived by her husband Don and her daughter Diane (Elton) Conn. Grandchildren Cheri (Marcel) Foley, Tye Jones, Kayla Engemoen. Great-Grandchildren Taylor, Jayden, Aston Foley, and TJ Jones. As well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Margaret worked at Vernon Jubilee Hospital as an operating room assistant for 3 years. Joined RCAF in 1952 (Radar Ftr Cop). She met and married her husband Don in 1958. She left the air force in 1959. She was very active in sports, achieving many awards and trophies especially in darts. She spent 2 years in Germany and travelled a lot in Europe. She was a long-time member of The Legion, ANAvets Club, and The Moose. She enjoyed cooking and canning and had a large garden in Westsyde and shared with seniors.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions there will be no funeral. Cremation to follow. As per her wishes, donations to the Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.

Condolences may be sent to the family from

www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com

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In the early hours of November 27, 1966 Steven Hawker was welcomed into the world. He was the youngest son of David and Emilie Hawker.

His mother Emilie and older brother Dave welcomed him into heaven on November 26, 2020.

Known to most as “Hawker”, he was a gentle giant always ready for an adventure. He loved and laughed with his whole self. His beautiful soul touched innumerable lives and his sudden loss has shaken the lives of his family – biological and chosen alike- to their core. Among his many interests were hockey, dirt biking, ice racing, all things mechanical, river boat racing and spending time with his many friends. He was available to help anyone at anytime with a ride, a big bear hug, a shoulder to cry on. While he may have had a small biological family he was “Uncle Steve” to many of his chosen family. He travelled and worked all over Canada and the United States as a Boilermaker including spending time in Boston during 9/11.  Being a boilermaker was more than a career to him, it was a way of life. He made a permanent mark on this world and will be missed.

He is survived by his father David Hawker (Leona); His sister Cindy (Shane) and her children Jerran (Renee), and Kris; His niece Gina (Josh) and their son Wade.

He is predeceased by his mother Emilie; his older brother Dave; his paternal grandparents George and Eunice Hawker, and maternal grandparents Joe and Agatha Lacombe.

Due to COVID-19 there will not be a service immediately. A celebration of life will be held as soon as we are able to safely do so. We look forward to sharing our crazy stories with you then.

In lieu of flowers a donation to The Canadian Cancer Society, the Salvation Army or a charity of your choice can be made. 

                                                                    Ride on Hawker.

Condolences may be sent to the family from

www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com

It is with great sorrow that the family of Vivian Hansberry, of Kamloops, announces her passing on November 28, 2020 at Royal Inland Hospital at the age of 88.

She is survived by her companion John, nephew Steve (Roccio), Richard (Trudi), David, Donald and a number of great nieces, nephews and many cousins. She was predeceased by her parents Matthew and Marie Anna Swanston, brother Donald and sister Roberta. Those who knew Vivian knew her to be independent, determined and full of life.  She was born in Alberta in 1931 and the family moved to Vancouver BC when she was 10.  At age 26, she made her way to Australia where she lived until moving back to Canada in 2009.Read More & Leave Condolences »