Schindel, Lois Kaye

Schindel, Lois Kaye

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May 18, 1950 – September 25, 2022
at the age of 72 years:     

With great sadness we announce the tragic loss of Lois Kaye Schindel (nee Doerkson) in Enderby, BC, on September 25, 2022.

Lois was born in Grande Prairie, AB, and moved with her family to Salmon Arm, BC, at the age of 16. She attended Salmon Arm Senior Secondary and Okanagan College in Kelowna, BC.

Lois was a loving mother of Jason and Lori-Ann; she spent their younger years with them at home before later returning to work. Living in the beautiful Shuswap, they camped often, enjoyed the beaches and spent endless amounts of time with family, whether travelling together or holiday gatherings; family was always around. Lori-Ann will treasure the close irreplaceable friendship she so gratefully shared with her mom.

Lois happily retired from her 35-year dedicated career with Service BC, (formerly BC Government Agent’s Office) in 2008. During her busy retirement years, she would often say she didn’t know how she ever had time to work, and it was always humorous when she thought it was Saturday on a Tuesday.  Lois enjoyed art, painting, decorating and design, taking photographs and the peacefulness of birds and nature. She enjoyed reading, writing and playing games, as well as many years of gardening and beautifying her yard with plants.

Grandma/Nana Lois had a loving connection with her grandchildren; they meant the world to her and she let them know it. Fondest memories are her famous pancakes and sugar cookies, trips to the beach, playing outside, dancing to Abba, teaching them how to paint and do crafts, playing Mexican Train and board games (laughing if they cheated), walks on nature trails – analyzing all of the sounds they heard. Her purse mints and gum that tasted like root beer also bring a smile.

Lois was tender-hearted; in her kind, gentle, compassionate and sentimental nature. She was empathetic, expressed encouragement and was an attentive listener who made others feel heard and valued. She was affectionate and we will cherish the gift of her rocking hugs forever. Lois’ care and devotion to her family during their times of need will be warmly remembered.

Lois will be perpetually missed by her family. She is survived by her two children, Jason (Amanda) Schindel and Lori-Ann Gervais (Bob Cassidy); five grandchildren, Memphis, Makena, Sutton, Esme & Arden; mother, Florence Abney (nee Doerkson); sister, Glenda Jones and step-sisters, Judy (Colin) Fothergill and Leona (Jack) Johnson.
Lois is predeceased by her father, Hank Doerkson; step-father, Charles Abney and younger sister, Marlene Pyper (Richard Annesley).

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Safe Society.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

De Bruin, Chester Norman

De Bruin, Chester Norman

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April 20, 1927 – September 24, 2022
at the age of 95 years:     

After a long fulfilling life, Chester DeBruin, aged 95, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on September 24, 2022, in Vernon.

Chester was born in Saskatchewan and raised on a farm as one of fourteen children in Birch River, Manitoba. At the end of WWII and after thrashing season, he travelled west by train across the prairies to work in BC logging camps around Smithers and Queen Charlotte Islands. He finally settled in Quesnel with brothers Ken and Warren, and sister Esther. After the passing of his first wife, Doreen (Trueman) De Bruin, Chester married Lyvonne Johnson in 1970.

As an entrepreneur in the forestry industry, Chester owned a sawmill in Alexandria, south of Quesnel, and CN De Bruin Trucking, a road building company.

In 1992, Chester and Lyvonne retired to their summer home in Mirror Lake near Kaslo in the Kootenays, where they enjoyed a slower pace and new roads to explore. In retirement they had lots of fun adventures that included road trips in Canada and the US, vacations in Mexico and Cuba, and driving on the wrong side of the road in Ireland. In 1998 they began to over-winter in sunny Vernon at their daughter Givonna’s home, moving to Vernon in 2015.

Chester was known for his positive, friendly, outgoing nature wherever he lived, always taking time to chat with folks, remember their names and share news. In Kaslo, the daily trip to the post office was always a social highlight. His hobbies included reading, walking the dogs, helping to renovate family homes, keeping the wood stove warm, pruning trees, driving the lawnmower, and enjoying home cooked meals or a good cup of coffee always with Pacific canned milk.

Chester will be lovingly missed by his wife Lyvonne, daughters Elodieanne (Brian) Browning of Quesnel and Givonna De Bruin of Vernon, grandchildren Christopher (Ashley) Cherry of Duncan and Amanda Cherry (James Schultz) of Quesnel, five great-grandchildren, sisters Esther Blaylock (Vernon), Diane Behrmann (Kamloops), Shirley Gosselin (Logan Lake), Alice McIntyre (Edmonton), sister-in-law Rachel Paton (Nelson), and extended family.

Special thanks to caregiver Cindy Blatny, Dr Gilhooly, Interior Health care staff and other helpers for their support and assistance, especially over the past year.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Vernon Adult Day Program at the Gateby Care Center in Vernon. A celebration of life is planned for later.

Chester will rest forever in the Kaslo Cemetery.

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