MICHEL, Verna Beverley
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1943 – 2022
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Verna Beverley Michel (Ellis). On February 22, 2022, surrounded by family, she lost her courageous battle with cancer.
Verna grew up on her family’s farm in southern Saskatchewan where she learned the values of hard work and perseverance as well as the meaning of family. She married young turning her attention to the nurturing and development of her three children. In 1973, putting her children first Verna separated and moved to the Okanagan to be closer to her sister Gerry and family. A few years later Verna and Richard reconnected, and in 1981 they married. For over 40 years Verna and Richard wrote their love story.
Verna embraced life with boundless energy, and joy in the everyday. Family and friends were everything to Verna who always had an open door. No matter what she was doing she would take time to listen to others, share a coffee, a meal or some of her homemade baking or preserves. Verna’s sincere and genuine interest in people and their lives made all who knew her feel special.
Verna loved whole heartedly and always took great pleasure in the lives and accomplishments of her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Throughout her life her concern was never for herself but for everyone else.
Verna is survived by her loving husband of 41 years Richard Michel, sister Gerry Schmidt (Clayton) – Kelowna, brother Gordon Ellis (Ila) – Leamington, ON; children Curtis Buck (Selina) – Calgary, Wendy Fayant – Calgary, Tracey Loney (Richard) – Kelowna, Wayne Michel (Deanna) – Regina, Sandra Michel – Dawson Creek, April Michel – Edmonton; grandchildren Brittany Loney, Kyle Loney, Erin Buck, Zachary Fayant, Richard Michel Jr., Laurie Michel, Kitara Swanson, Dillon Carroll, Jordan Cleal, Crystal Proctor, David McKay; nieces & nephews Tammy Hampson (Dave), Sandy Schmidt, Darin Ellis (Cheryl), Scott Ellis (Kristen); as well as many other extended family members. Verna was predeceased by her parents Glen and Olga Ellis, and brother Harvey Ellis of Weyburn.
Verna will be dearly missed by all and remembered for her strength, hope, kindness, compassion, and love.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Tara Sebulsky, as well as the amazing teams at Kelowna General Hospital (Thoracic, Respiratory, and Floor 4B) along with the staff at BC Cancer – Kelowna, for their professionalism and compassionate care.
A Celebration of Life for Verna will be held on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at 11:00 am at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna BC. The family kindly requests that all attendees be vaccinated and reminds you that masks will be required indoors.
If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to BC Cancer – Kelowna, www.bccancerfoundation.com, 399 Royal Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 5L3, or the KGH Foundation, www.kghfoundation.com, 2268 Pandosy Street, Kelowna, BC V1Y 1T2.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of MICHEL Verna Beverley —..
Death notice for the town of: Kelowna, Province: Colombie britanique