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Olga Walker Obituary
Olga Walker
July 1, 1917 – July 1, 2024
Olga was born in the Goshko family farmhouse in Vegreville, Alberta, the youngest of 7 children of Ukrainian immigrant parents. She was very proud of her Ukrainian heritage, and spoke the language fluently. Throughout her life, she was the archivist and photographer for her large family, and organized many wonderful family reunions in both the Kispiox Valley and Smithers. Along with her daughter Carol and granddaughter Julie, she co-wrote and translated a Ukrainian song book.
In her late teens she went to Edmonton to attend “Normal School”, also known as teacher’s college, and subsequently taught school for 42 years. She had a huge positive effect on many of her students, who fondly remember “Mrs. Walker” to this day.
In her 20’s, she moved to Vancouver and fell in love with her adoptive province of BC. In 1952, she married Jim Walker, who immigrated from Newcastle, England in 1950. Soon after Jim arrived, Olga caught his eye and the rest is history. She was ahead of her time, both teaching full time and raising a family during the 1950’s and 60’s. The assistance of a housekeeper and childcare allowed her to continue teaching and left the summer available for many outdoor adventures, including many summers on Pitt Lake, and camping in remote areas of BC, including the Kispiox Valley, where Jim discovered the amazing steelhead fishing. In 1963, the family moved to the Kispiox Valley where they built and ran Kispiox Steelhead Camp. Sadly, Olga lost Jim to a sudden heart attack in 1970, just 7 years later. She continued to run the fishing camp and taught school at Two Mile Elementary and New Hazelton Elementary until she retired one day after she turned 66.
Olga enjoyed all the guests who came through the fishing camp, many of whom were famous in the fishing world. She became very involved in “fish politics” and was active as a volunteer with many angling groups. She was very upset when the Kispiox River was closed to Chinook fishing!
After she retired, she became very involved in the BC Senior Games, participating in swimming, walking 5 and 10 kms, discus, and javelin. She started training for javelin after she turned 80! Olga picked up an impressive number of medals along the way. She was an ardent recruiter, encouraging all to participate. She organized the bus trips and accommodations for provincial events, and thoroughly enjoyed herself on those trips.
She finally sold the fishing camp in 1993 and moved to Smithers, where she continued to enjoy her retirement. She firmly believed that being active is key to overall health, and practiced what she preached. Many will remember seeing her walking her daughters’ dogs around Smithers, most often on the perimeter trail. “Lots of exercise and a daily shot of apricot brandy,” were Olga’s advice for longevity!
At the age of 96, as a result of developing dementia, Olga moved to Bulkley Lodge, where she lived the last 11 years of her life. She received excellent care and was beloved by staff, even on her “feisty days”. She remained as physically active as possible while she was there. She was eternally optimistic, and even as her dementia progressed, she would remind us on a regular basis, “It’s a beautiful day!”
She passed quietly, without any fuss, on her 107th birthday. Her family was by her side. She is survived by her 3 daughters, Carol Wookey, Mary Lou Walker (Gord Wadley) and Betty Ann Walker. She has one grandchild, Julie Lemoine, and 3 great-grandsons, Rawlie, Tymko, and Mario Lemoine.
The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Karin Blouw, Dr. Crystal Page, Dr. Chris Yeker and Dr. Flora Barnard, and to the amazing staff at Bulkley Lodge, for their compassionate care of Olga over many years.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Kispiox Valley Community Hall on Friday, August 9 from 2-4 pm.
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July 1 2024

Schrader Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Death notice for the town of: Smithers, Province: Colombie britanique

death notice Olga Walker July 1 2024

obituaries notice Olga Walker July 1 2024

We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Olga Walker July 1 2024  and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.