It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lorne John Doyle, of Spruce Grove, Alberta, on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the age of 76. Lorne passed away peacefully, surrounded by love and fond memories of his remarkable life.

Lorne is survived by his loving wife and soulmate, Marianne Doyle, and their sons Shaun (Danielle) and Jamie (Michelle). He will also be missed by his grandchildren, nieces and nephews and many dear friends.

Lorne was predeceased by his parents, Lawrence and Marjorie Doyle, who he greatly admired, as well as his brothers Harold and Leslie Doyle, his sister Florence Lock and his grandson Jeremy.

A service to remember and celebrate Lorne’s life will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025 in Edmonton. 

Merritt Hurd Old and Elsie Dorothy Old passed away peacefully at their home in Kelowna, holding one another’s hands, through Medical Assistance in Death (MAiD).

Merritt Old, born October 19, 1926, in Davidson SK, to Otto Old and Grace Callaway (nee), was a devoted husband, loving father, supportive brother, and a true Saskatchewan farmer who could fix anything and weather any storm. Merritt was the last surviving child of Otto and Grace and passed away at the age of 98.

Elsie Hey (nee), born July 6, 1928, near Bulyea SK on her parents’ farm, to Christian Fredrick Hey and Amalie Buchammer (nee), was a devoted wife, caring mother, kind sister, and a wonderful homemaker who made homemade bread and desserts for any occasion. Elsie was the last surviving child of Fred and Amalie and passed away at the age of 96.

Merritt and Elsie celebrated 72 years of marriage together, and are survived by their eldest daughter, Debra Old, as well as four grandchildren, David Willner, Donald Willner, Jessica Foster, and Brandy Old. Merritt and Elsie are also pre-deceased by their youngest daughter, Beverly Old, who passed away on January 7, 2024.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Merrit & Elsie’s lives on Monday, July 7 at the Kelowna Memorial Park at 2:00 p.m. for an outdoor memorial service at their gravesite as per their request. Feel free to bring memories, especially those accompanied by funny stories.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Bridge C14 or a charity of your choice are appreciated.

May Merritt and Elsie’s spirits of loving kindness and laughter live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved them.

They’ll all come to meet me. . .

It saddens me greatly to announce that my mom, Ellen, the wine diva of our family, took her last sip on January 15, 2025.  She is predeceased by my dad, Harold, July 7, 2023, my brother, Albert, July 8, 2024, and survived by me, Kim, and my husband, her second son, Ed.   My origin family is now all gone.  They knew I would clean up after the party.

Mom was born, November 25, 1927, in Davidson, Saskatchewan.  She was the youngest child of Swedish/Finnish homesteaders Esther and Carl Johnson.  Her older siblings were Viola, Norman and Albert.  They were a farming family in the time of the Great Depression and World War 2.  Along with growing up with hardship and doing without, mom had a strict father that wanted her to be a school teacher.  To get away from the restraints of life at home she left for Moose Jaw to get her teaching certificate.  Later she taught all grades in one room school houses in Hanley, Harris, and Craig as well as helping on the farm during summers.   She took a position that was still vacant in late November in the town of Goodeve.  When she arrived, she found the school and teacherage rundown with no supplies and everything in disrepair.  She was so angry about the conditions she showed up at a teacher’s meeting, went to the front where the supervisors sat, pounded on the desk demanding that it be fixed to a livable standard. That was my feisty mom.  She still had to use oil lamps and chop wood to heat the school, but her tenacity and farm work experience allowed this young woman of 24 to put together a functional school.  It was difficult living alone in what she called a Godforsaken place but she loved her freedom and especially loved her students.  From the stories she told me, I wonder what she taught them!   Being the new school teacher she had many suitors come knocking and soon met my dad.  Before long they were married and driving to the west coast in her car!  It was somewhat of a forced emigration.  My brother arrived shortly afterwards and five years later I made my entrance in Lions Gate Hospital.  They brought me home to Burrill Avenue in Lynn Valley where they lived for 53 years before moving to Campbell River in 2014.

Mom liked nice clothes, makeup, and dressing up but she wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty.    I remember coming home from school and the basement walls were torn out to make for a much larger room or the time she was butchering a whole pig on the kitchen table.  Mom was a homemaker but always worked part time to have her own spending money and afford a car.  She drove a red 67 Beaumont.  She was outgoing and fun. . . Always ready for a social drink, a song or especially a dance.  She was also happy to be by herself.  Mom said what she thought and enhanced it colourfully.   She outlived her many life long friends.  She was fearlessly independent and never complained about her aches and pains even at the end.  The only thing mom complained about was why the bottle of wine couldn’t be kept in her room!  There was an emergency text from the care home if she was running out.

It took a long time for me to recognize it, but in many ways I’m a lot like her.  Knowing this will keep the memory of her close to me. 

Leave your cares behind mom.  Dad and Albert are waiting for you with open arms.  Keep the volume up so I can find your kitchen party!

No service by request.  To share a memory of Ellen or a condolence, please go to Talford Toneff & Boyd, Campbell River, website Telfordtoneffboyd.ca or send a personal note to me kzandef@gmail.com.

It’s good to touch the green green grass of home

By Kevin Gilby

Fourteen teams from David- son and area participated in the Davidson Ladies’ Bonspiel on Jan. 10-11 at the AGT Centre. In the past, the bonspiel ran in early March. To avoid competing with the provincial hockey matches, organizers moved the event to January last year, and the new date certainly helped draw entries. Beth Booker was all in for the change, winning the bonspiel last year and again this year. “We had a good turnout,” said organizer Marla Dezotell. “Lots of teams came out for a lot of fun. Fourteen teams, three of which were out-of-town teams.”

The winners were:

First Place: Beth Booker

Second Place: Agnes Viczko

Third Place: Stacey Siroski Winners received cash prizes.

For added fun, organizers held a calcutta in which members could buy a random team for an additional chance to win. Rink entry fees covered cash prizes, food vouchers for the can- teen, plus a small contribution to league funds. “Thanks to Amber Holland for organizing the draw, Donna Stone for all her help, and every- one else that pitched in,” said Dezotell. The club is looking forward to the Farmers’ Bonspiel, which runs Jan. 24-26 at the AGT Centre. Spaces are still available for $200 a team. Interested groups are encouraged to contact Rob Stone for more information.

Our beloved father Clayton Arnold Rowe passed away in his home on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the age of 79. He leaves behind his two sons Todd (Lisa) and Clint, and grandchildren Skylar (Tanysha), Dana and Morgan, and great grandchildren Serenity, Nevaeh and Hunter.

He was born in Davidson, Saskatchewan on October 19, 1945, and spent his childhood on the family farm working along side his parents Howard and Edna, and siblings Hugh (Beatrice), Carol (Dale) and Wayne (Jeannine). His parents, wife Judy and sibling Wayne predecease him.

Clay and the love of his life, Judith Ann (Reardon) were married in 1968 and had 47 happy years together until her passing in October of 2015. They made their home in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, where he began his career with Prince Albert Pulp and Paper, later Weyerhaeuser. They then moved out to Emma Lake in 1975 where they built their home at McPhail Cove, before returning to Prince Albert the summer of 1984. During these years he also took a few years off from the pulp mill to run a Masonry business building Fireplaces, until a back injury forced him to return to the pulp mill a few years later.

After returning to Prince Albert Clay owned and managed several rental properties in Prince Albert and also a 12-unit apartment building in Rosthern for a few years. He was very handy with all types of carpentry and along with both his sons teaching them this ability, and including them in various projects he undertook on his days off.

Clay and Judy had many adventures together and made several trips to the Yukon in their VW camper van, some with their son Todd, as well as in later years with their various other RV’s. Several of their favourite places to camp and fish included Missinippe, Weyakiwn and Anglin Lake. They liked to include their grandchildren, Skylar and Dana, in many of these camping trips.

Clay had a lifelong interest in fishing and loved to spend his time on the water, especially Anglin Lake. He passed this passion along to his children and grandchildren. One of his favourite sayings was “fishy fishy in the brook, come and bite papa’s hook” with his grandchildren.

There will be no memorial or funeral service at Clay’s request and the family asks that if you wish to make a tribute in Clay’s name to make a donation to your charity of choice in lieu of flowers or other gifts.