July 22, 1938 – May 10, 2024
at the age of 85 years:
Prologue
Tappen Valley Growers
T – Ted, V – Vicki & G – Girls
Ted has swung into the saddle astride his trusty steed ‘Mac’ and, along with his beloved Bouviers, headed off into the wild blue yonder. Along the trail he will meet his older brother Art and his sister Meredith, who had journeyed on ahead of him.
At the crossroads, Ted will join company with his cherished friend Big Jack Chupa and together the two will turn their horses into the wind and gallop off across Heaven’s Range.
At least that is how I intend to imagine it ~ Vicki
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Born and raised in the rural community of Cottam, Ontario, Ted was the second of seven children born to Ed and Ruby Squire (nee Kelly).
Ted had a wonderful childhood as a farm boy. He and his brother Art worked hard on the family farm. Their home was just steps from school and church with plenty of room to roam; there was ample opportunity for fun and hi-jinx with siblings and friends. Ted was full of stories that he loved to share, and share is what he did!
His young adulthood had him starting several small businesses, then onto hair stylist, and finally to a career with L’Oreal as Western Canada’s Manager of the Salon Division and Hair Colour Expert. Ted travelled extensively with L’Oreal across Canada and to Europe, most notably enjoying his times in Paris.
His office was downtown Vancouver, and his hobby acreage was in South Langley. There he established ‘Delylse’ Registered Bouvier Kennels and took part in the show dog circuit.
With close friends, Klaus and Carol he started ‘La Vallee Growers Ltd’. They propagated many wine grape varieties and, thanks to a contract with the Summerland Research Station, they were able to propagate many unique seedless table grape varieties which were sold to start up vineyards and nurseries. Many of these vines are still growing at Recline Ridge, Larch Hills, Domaine de Chaberton, and Celista Vineyard & Winery.
In 1993, Ted moved to Tappen with Vicki and stepdaughters Emily and Kate. He established a small vineyard to propagate wood and for grapes to sell at farmer’s markets. He also returned to his boyhood passion for growing tomatoes. He was a master and became affectionately known as the ‘Tomato King’, winning the Salmon Arm Fair Trophy many years in a row. He loved participating in the fair and farmer’s markets, where he established a loyal following of locals and returning vacationers looking to enjoy his delicious tomatoes!
In the early years of residing in Tappen, Ted enjoyed the close friendship of Jack Chupa, good neighbour and haying partner, and also friendships made while on the Tappen Co-op Directorate. He shared Co-op duties with Jamie Gooch, Joan O’Brien, Jim Wright, Reg Charlesworth, and many other community minded residents. He loved it all!
He loved his horse Mac, a most remarkable animal, and his many Bouviers and all things farm, returning to the joys and work ethic of his childhood.
It has been a long and difficult time since Ted’s disastrous fall in January 2021. Lewy Body Dementia took his ability to walk and forever after his mind played tricks on him. Through it all Ted maintained a cheery disposition and positive appreciation of his care. He was truly blessed to have been a resident of Mt Ida Mews, Coho Crescent Floor, where the care aide and nursing staff are nothing short of Angels. No amount of thanks and gratitude would be enough.
And last but not least, from the very depths of our hearts, we extend our sincerest thanks and gratitude to Dr. Adriaan Heunis for his energetic, optimistic, and jovial care of Ted for so many years.
Ted leaves behind ‘the ball to his chain’, his wife of 31 years, Vicki, and stepdaughters Kate and Emily; his four siblings in Ontario; his sister Sherron, his fifth birthday present sister Connie and Bro-mance brother-in-law Ed Meszaros, brother Bryon (Precious Pam), baby sis Beverly, nieces, nephews, and countless friends near and far.
As there is no service at Ted’s request, please do raise a glass of wine from a local winery in memory of him and his wonderful, well-lived life. Not a drinker? Just blast any country music and dance like nobody’s watching and sing like nobody’s listening.
Ted, you will be greatly missed. Godspeed, Squire.
A celebration of life will be announced closer to Ted’s 86th birthday this summer.
January 27, 1932 – May 10, 2024
at the age of 92 years:
Barbara passed away peacefully in the North Okanagan Hospice on May 10, 2024 at the age of 92. She was born in 1932 in Winnipeg to parents Winnifred (Pat) & Erskine (Pope) Bathie.
She was predeceased by her loving husband Arnold who passed away in 2020. Barbara and Arnold moved several times during Arnold’s career with Imperial Oil, from Calgary to Edmonton to Norman Wells (NWT), back to Edmonton then finally Fort McMurray with Syncrude. They retired to Vernon in 1985. Barbara was always very active and volunteered regularly in support of the communities where they lived. In their retirement, Barbara and Arnold enjoyed many years of travelling and cycling, and in the winter months they enjoyed cross country skiing near their home in Vernon. She was also an avid tennis player, and won many championships until an old knee injury, which happened in a ski accident that led to her and Arnold’s courtship, forced her retirement.
Barbara will be missed by her three children Debbie Lord (Garth), Douglas Fry (Marie Christine) and Judy Nordman (Eric). She is also survived by eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the North Okanagan Hospice Society (Vernon) staff and volunteers for their amazing care during her time in the hospice.
As per Barbara’s request, there will be no service. Those who desire may make a donation in memory of Barbara to the North Okanagan Hospice Society (nohs.ca)
April 11, 1960 – May 8, 2024
at the age of 64 years
Celebration of Life: Sunday, May 12, 2024, 11:00 a.m., Pierre’s Point Long Building
Katherine A. Johnny was born to Herbert and Vera Johnny on April 11, 1960, in Salmon Arm, BC.
She has many fond memories living with her Granny Regina Kenoras where she was Baptized into the Catholic
Religion. Her God Father was Joseph Johnny, who loved her dearly. She came back to the Switsemalph
community at the age of 14 and lived with her siblings after her mom passed, staying at home until the age of 17, moving periodically to Kamloops with Phyllis and Vancouver.
In February 1980 she gave birth to her first-born daughter Adrienne Josephine Johnny. She was named after her two uncles Adrian and Joseph Johnny.
In December 1981 she gave birth to her baby girl Vera Leigh Johnny who was named after her grandmother Vera Johnny. Leigh was her favorite name where Vera is almost named Leigh.
Granny Susan came and spent two weeks with Kate after each of daughters were born.
She resided in Vancouver in 1985 to live closely with her younger brother Gary Johnny so her 2 daughters could get to know him. 1986 she moved back to Salmon Arm at her permanent residence to raise her 2 daughters.
Her daughter Adrienne made her a grandmother in 2003 with her first grand daughter Desiree Dick. Followed by
Cherish in 2004, Kirsten in 2005, Aurora in 2006, Mason in 2010 and our baby Ann in 2012. She was happy to become a grandmother and was adamant to see them all graduate high school she witnessed the three oldest grandchildren graduate. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and wouldn’t let them get away with
anything – Vera and Adrienne could contest this. Anything for her babies!
In 1994, Michael Johnny came to live with his auntie until he graduated in 1997… he was the only boy living in a house full of girls where he was blamed for being late for the school bus and having to run down 50th Ave to catch the school bus.
In 2005, Andrea and Susan Johnny came to live with their auntie up until they graduated. Andrea graduated in 2007 and Susan graduated in 2009. Andrea, Susan and Mike were children to her late sister Christine Johnny.
She had a few good friends and many adventures with Charlotte and Theresa, who are the few to mention and many more who have passed on before her.
Some of the memories that all the kids in Kate’s life were that she always had a door open and she always made sure that you had a place to lay your head and a meal to eat. I am sure that at one point Kate had at least 6
separate families in her house. And another memory is between the girls there were 12 kids and 10 adults there for one of the Easter family Bar-B-Qs. She always loved having all the kids under one roof.
The majority of the kids’ friends usually loved coming here and visiting her and knowing that they were
welcome to come to her house.
Her favorite pastime was 420!! Hee-hee many will know what that means. She also loved to spend time at the casino and bingo until it was too uncomfortable for her to bear. She also loved becoming part of the Elder’s group where she was able to call bingo for fundraising. They went on a few trips, one was to Seattle for a Blue Jays baseball game, the Mariners against the Blue Jays. Another was to the Elder’s Gathering in Vancouver, BC.
In 2004 she was diagnosed with breast cancer where she chose to have a mastectomy where she survived and beat that battle with cancer. She continued to a live a healthy life up to November 2023 when she was
diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer as well as other major organs. May 8, 2024, is when she lost her battle with cancer in her home surrounded by loved ones.
Katie Lady Rest in Peace you are now cancer free, and soul is free – Fly High!
