Margaret Yolande (Landi) Bledsoe
1933 – 2016
Landi (aged 83) passed away peacefully on Friday, November 18, in Powell River.
Landi was born, raised and spent almost her entire career in Powell River. She was one of Powell River’s quiet leaders, gently influencing many of the lives and spaces that shape our community.
Landi was a graduate of the University of British Columbia, earning two undergraduate degrees (BA, BSW) before achieving her Master of Social Work in 1963. As a social worker, Landi worked for the government of BC for many years before retiring to work in private practice. Her contributions to and connections within the Powell River community were rich and diverse, including Maranatha Prayer Group, Open Door Healing Rooms, Raging Grannies (PR Gaggle), Powell River Fine Arts Association (quilting), Powell River Child, Youth and Family Services Society (board of directors) and Malaspina Naturalists, as well as various other environmental, political, spiritual, social service and animal welfare associations and movements. Landi was equal parts artist, intellect, feminist, and advocate.
Landi is survived by her family, three generations of nieces and nephews, led by Jillian, Alison and Mitchell, her cousins and a community of friends and colleagues. We offer our thanks to the staff at Willingdon Creek Village (especially House 5) and a special note of acknowledgement and gratitude to her companion/caregiver/friend Lilia Cardoso-Gould.
Everyone who knew Landi is welcome to join us in celebrating and honouring her life:
Monday, November 28, 2016 – Prayers will be held at 7 pm at Church of the Assumption.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016 – Funeral Mass will be held at 1:30 pm at Church of the Assumption, with burial at Powell River Regional Cemetery and a reception to follow at Assumption Parish (St. Joseph’s) Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Landi to Powell River Child, Youth and Family Services Society, prcyfss.com.
Dorothy Grace Levangie (née Halford)
December 13, 1924 (London, England) - November 16, 2016 (Calgary, Alberta)
Not with pain or sorrow but with “shouts of Hallelujah" we are sharing that our mother, Dorothy, has been released from the tethers of dementia at the grand age of 92.
Dorothy was a World War II veteran. She was lovingly valued and honoured during her final years at Colonel Belcher Veterans Home in Calgary, Alberta. The disease took her memories from her, but it didn’t take them from all of her children, so we go on with gratitude, remembering a home with lots of laughter and song, knowing that she is now reunited with her never-forgotten husband Raymond.
Left to honour both of our parents are their four sons and their spouses: Ron (Pat), Reg (Donna), Terry (Laurie) and Jamie (Debbie); and their daughter and her husband, Jannine and Jean Paul Rouillard. They are also honoured by eleven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and her one brother, Reg Halford, and sister Shirley Bergen. Dorothy was predeceased by her sister Bet Heslop.
Memories, let them fill your mind, warm your heart and lead you through.
In living memory of Dorothy Levangie, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road S.E., Calgary, Alberta, 403.256.9575.
John Picken
May 24, 1932 -November 16, 2016
The world just got a little quieter. Our dad passed away at his home in Powell River, where he spent the last years of his life very happily watching the boats go by, reading and entertaining all visitors with his many stories.
Dad is survived by his former wife (who remained his longtime friend) Fran Picken, his three children Stan (Kim), Simon (Trish) and Sue (Guy) Colbourne, his beloved grandchildren Marina (Greg), Uma, Jessica and Kaelan and his great-granddaughter Artemis. He is also survived by his older (and he would say wiser) sister Mary Healy and her children Isabel and Irvine and their families.
Dad grew up in Burnaby in “Aintree,” the now heritage home built by his parents, Stanley and Isabel. Dad loved his time growing up with Irish Setters and horses. He went off on several adventures in his teenage years, first to Toronto and later a road trip to Mexico on his motorbike. As a young man, he worked in an office in Vancouver but eventually he fell in love with the sea and spent many happy years working on the tugs. A highlight of those years was working in the Arctic and meeting Prince Philip while there.
While working on the coast, he bought an old pioneer’s home in Blind Bay on Nelson Island. This is where he moved with his young family after leaving the tugs. Dad did all sorts of interesting jobs to make ends meet, from building boats and outhouses to oyster farming.
Life was never boring with Dad around, especially once he learned to use dynamite. He was a big believer in “Family Fun,” which meant projects like helping out with the sawmill or building a bridge.
Even with failing health in his later years, Dad was always very positive and cheerful and loved to keep up with current events (he described the last Canadian election as his “Superbowl”). His main interest was always his family and especially his grandchildren.
At Dad’s request, there will be no service, but there will be a send-off for him in Blind Bay at a later date.
We, his family, would like to say a special thank-you to all the many home support workers who looked after Dad over the years with such kindness and care, to “Amazing Grace” for looking after all those extra things and making sure he always had enough coffee, to Dr. Maguire for her excellent care while Dad was her patient and last, but not least, thanks so much to Marjorie Ann and Bill Harding and their wonderful sons for always treating Dad like family and helping him in so many ways.
We will sure miss you, Dad, but we know you will have a great time chatting with Winston Churchill.
Donald Trombley
Born February 21, 1945, Don passed away suddenly of pancreatic cancer on Saturday, November 19. He was predeceased by his mother Anita (1984) and father Jack (1988).
Don is survived by his wife and best friend Mila; sister Fay, SCIC (Tuktoyaktuk, NT); brother Wayne (Seenuan) of Thailand, brother Greg (Regina) and two nieces and a nephew in Connecticut and Northern Ireland.
Donald was known by many as humble, kind, generous, witty and a man of deep faith.
We love you, Don.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Powell River Hospital Hospice.