Margaret (Bowes) Ferguson
Friends of Margaret (Bowes) Ferguson are invited to attend her Celebration of Life Thursday, August 28, 1 pm Herondell B&B – 11332 Hwy 101 (on the left between Lang Bay store and Eagle River). Lunch to follow.
GUSTAFSON, Amelia (Mal) ~ April 22, 1916 - August 13, 2014
"A true pioneer of Powell River"
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother Amelia Gustafson (nee Piccoli) better known as Mal. She was predeceased by her husband George (1905-1995) and is survived by her daughter Marlene (Ted) Hall of Powell River, son Gerry (Kathy) Gustafson of Powell River, grandsons Sean (Cheryl) Hall of Queensland, Australia, Ryan (Shannon) Hall of Prince George, granddaughter Kari (Sheldon) Gaudet of Whistler, grandson Jamie Gustafson of Powell River, eight great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Mal was the 5th of six children born to an Italian immigrant family and the 3rd to be born in Powell River. In 1919, at the age of 3, her family moved from the townsite to homestead in Wildwood where other extended members of their Italian family were already living. She was part of the first class of students to attend James Thompson School when it opened in 1924. At the age of 14, Mal became charged with raising her younger sister and looking after the household for her father and brother when her mother died suddenly. Mal married George in May of 1933 just after turning 17 to begin a long and happy marriage of 63 years. She worked in the mill during the war while George decided to leave the mill and go to Barber College.
After the children were born, Mal became a stay at home mom which she felt was her calling. During those years she worked as a volunteer at both the baby clinic and the Wildwood Pubic Library. But where Mom really shone was cooking and baking for anyone she could feed. Anyone visiting would be treated to a "snack" of roast beef, mashed potatoes, at least 3 veggies and more than likely homemade pumpkin pie to be followed with a plate of her famous gingerbread cookies and Roman apple cake. You couldn’t visit Mom and leave before you’d had something to eat. She continued this tradition until she went into extended care and even there she wanted to be in the kitchen making homemade chicken soup or pie.
From the 1960’s to the mid 1990’s, Mal and George took great pleasure in running their small cabin rentals in the summer and travelling in the winter during the 70’s and 80’s. During the winters they travelled to Mexico, the Orient, Hawaii, Reno, Australia and throughout Europe but Powell River was where Mal really loved to be.
After 19 years on her own after George passed, Mal moved into Evergreen Care Unit where she passed peacefully. The family is very grateful to the staff at Evergreen for the care and compassion they showed Mal during the last 5 months of her life.
The family will hold a celebration tea for Mal on Saturday, September please make a donation in Mals’s name to Powell River’s Evergreen Care Unit, 4970 Joyce Ave., Powell River, BC V8A 5P2 or a charity of your choice.
Peter Bakker ~ May 5, 1932 - August 5, 2014
Peter passed away suddenly at home. He is predeceased by granddaughter Tracey Segi and survived by his partner Christine, children Nory (Sam), Orti (Bryan), Peter (Darlene), Ronald (Bettyann), Heath, Christopher (Annie) and Jonathan (Stephanie); 13 grandchildren, 12 greatgrandchildren and many other family members.
Peter was born in Utrecht, Holland and immigrated to Canada in 1958. He moved about Manitoba and Saskatchewan before reaching White Rock, BC. Peter came to Powell River in 1974, where he spent many hours on the water sailing the Bounty and also found his passion for windsurfing. If he looked out the window and saw white caps, he was gone to the beach. Parkinson’s disease took that ability away, but
he still dreamed of sailing again. Who knows? He will be sadly missed by family and friends.
Celebration of life to be held Friday, August 22 at 10 am at Stubberfield Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations to Parkinson Society Canada will be greatly appreciated.
Arvine Gustave Norgren ~ May 20, 1936 - August 11, 2014
Arvine was born 78 years ago in Elk Point, Alberta to Erik and Mabel Norgren. He had two brothers, Budd and Bruce (deceased) and one sister, Lyla (deceased).
Arvine began his Powell River journey as a partner in the Banyon Centre, a care facility for developmentally delayed adults. From there he became the proud creator of The Old Courthouse Manor and Vault Café in Townsite. Afterward he delivered parcels for the Canada Post and catalogues for Sears. To Arvine, these were all opportunities to make friends which he did.
Arvine was a kind and loving man whose mission in life was to make friends with everyone he met and to help anyone in need. He did a great job!
Arvine will be greatly missed by his wife Wendy, his children Monica Murray and Michael Norgren and their mother Henya; his step-children Richard and Laura Boniface and his grandchildren Erika (Meisha), Amy, Anya, Tyliah, Daniel, Mila, Elias and honorary grandson Kayle; and great-grandchildren Hallewyn and Adria. He also leaves behind his brother Budd and many sisters and brothers in-law, as well as many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Arvine’s life, officiated by Pastor Carol Dennison, will take place at 2 pm Saturday, August 23 at Faith Lutheran Church, 4811 Ontario Street, Powell River. A gathering with refreshments will follow. In lieu of flowers a donation to Faith Lutheran Church would be appreciated.