We are sad to announce the passing of Leona Schaeffer (Drozdowich) on March 3 at PV Manor in Armstrong where she had resided for the past three years. Her passing was peaceful in the presence of three of her four daughters. Her faith sustained her to the very end and she approached the end the same way she had approached the rest of her life with calm, acceptance, and grace.
Leona was born in Vegreville Alberta to Aristide and Rebecca Bienvenu on November 13, 1928 and was the youngest of thirteen children. Her mother died when she was thirteen and she and her sister learned household management from necessity and by the seat of their pants.
She married Gordon Drozdowich when she was sixteen and they began raising the first five of their six children in a two room house complete with the requisite outhouse and well pump outside the door. Her youngest daughter arrived shortly before the move to the Abbotsford area of B.C. From their small berry farm there they moved to Vernon then a small acreage in Falkland and finally to Armstrong. Seven years after Gordon’s death she met and married Norman Schaeffer finding herself widowed again six years later.
Leona was actively involved both in her church and community throughout her life. Her home was filled with love, faith, work, music, laughter and fun. She and Gordon travelled throughout Canada with trips to Mexico, New Zealand, Hawaii and Alaska frequently accompanied by their dear friends Marge and George Scott. They camped, fished, curled, gardened and volunteered in the community. Leona gave a day a week for twenty-one years to the Hospital Auxiliary Bargain Bin, stopping only when her health finally dictated a change. Another favorite of hers was assisting at the Well Baby clinic. She was active in the CWL at church and helped cater an untold number of events and could be counted on for assistance whenever a friend or neighbor was in need of a meal. She made a wicked pyrogi!
Leona will be greatly missed and remembered with love by her beloved sister Phyllis and her children Julie Ottosen (Carl), Rea Smith (Tom), Sharon Wray (Alex), Sandra Drozdowich, son-in-law Rye Stoelting (Trudy), Daughter-in-law Sally Drozdowich (Bryan) fifteen grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren.
Going before her were her beloved husbands Gordon and Norman, eleven siblings, her son Bryan, daughter Trudy, and three grandchildren, Adaina, Andrea and Jeremy.
Our family would like to thank Dr Kutsche and the wonderful and loving staff at PV Manor in Armstrong for their exemplary care. In Leona’s memory donations can be made to Pleasant Valley Manor recreation department or to the Armstrong food bank.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Leona Schaeffer Drozdowich March 3rd 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Armstrong, Province: Colombie britanique