Peacefully at home on Wednesday July 24, 2024, Gerald Wicks of Winchester age 80. Beloved husband of Barbara (Meldrum). Loving Father of Corinne Wicks. Cherished Poppa of Nathan Robidoux. Dear brother of Earl (Eileen), Billy (late Eunice), Jim (Lisa), Bert, David and Steven Wicks. Predeceased by his parents Laura (Boisvenue) and Bill Wicks and his siblings Fred, Pearl and Barbara. Gerald will be fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews and the Meldrum family.

By Gerald’s request Cremation has taken place with a Graveside Service at Knights Cemetery, VanCamp Road, Inkerman on Saturday August 10, 2024 at 11 a.m. Funeral Luncheon to follow. Donations in Memory of Gerald may be made to the Winchester District Memorial Hospital or the Dundas Manor.

Arrangements entrusted to Byers Funeral Home, South Mountain (613-989-3836).

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Ivanka Zupet, of Kelowna, BC, on June 26, 2024. She passed away peacefully at the age of 93. She was born in Loški Potok, Slovenia, on January 25, 1931, to Janez and Alojzija Vesel.

Left to treasure her memory are her son Ed (Margo); daughter Valerie (Barry); grandchildren Selina (Chris), Michelle (Alex), and Lance; nephew John; sister Ani in Slovenia; and extended family members in Canada and Slovenia. She was predeceased by her husband Slavko; grandson Dallas; and her sisters Tončka, Mimi and Karla.

Ivanka’s early years growing up in Slovenia in the depression and WWII were hard. Because her mother was widowed when Ivanka was young, she went to work to help support the family, starting with a job cutting down trees in the bush, then in a sawmill. This hard life helped make her tough and strong. This was the foundation that gave Ivanka the resilience to build a new life with Slavko and Ed in Canada, taking all the hardships in stride. And, despite the adversities, she was always grateful and cheerful.

Mom was one of those unsung heroes, never seeking credit or accolades, but working tirelessly in the background, sacrificing for the benefit of others. She believed in giving of herself for the good of others and was truly an example of selflessness. Mom’s example of service and love is her greatest legacy. For years, she gave to the Slovenian Canadian Association in Edmonton, cooking in the kitchen for events and billeting guest performers. She worked both inside and outside the home. A traditional wife and mother, her work was never done, yet she managed to soldier on with resolve, strengthened by her faith – which she held true all her life.

Family was the most important to mom; she always put family first. Whether it was a casual visit or a special celebration, having family together was mom’s joy.

Mom enjoyed singing and dancing. She was an amazing cook and baker, whose skills were celebrated by all who had the pleasure of experiencing the food she made. When she turned 60 years young, she courageously attended an adult literacy program, where she flourished. She loved writing in prose and poetry, expressing her gift through imagery. Mom loved being in nature and especially loved trees and sitting on the balcony watching the birds at the bird feeder. She looked forward to going out for coffee every day and always liked to be nicely dressed in a coordinated outfit.

Mom’s Slovenian maiden name was “Vesel” which means happy, cheerful, and joyful; and she was all that. In addition to having a great sense of humour, she was positive, caring, and kind to others. She touched the hearts and lives of everyone she met. Mom was liked and respected by all and will be fondly remembered for her words of wisdom, her ever-present beautiful, loving smile, and her positive attitude that brought sunshine and good will to others. She will be missed by all who knew her.

You’re an inspiration, Mom…
Handling life’s ups and downs with a mix of
grace and strength that’s so truly your own.
I don’t know how you did it sometimes, but I do know what drove you…
Love. Love for your family. Love of life and all the good it holds.
And trust that love and faith would see you through.
Whatever came, you just kept moving forward,
and proving time and again that strength is beautiful…especially on you.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ivanka’s name to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Both the Prayer Service and the Celebration of Life will be held at SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC.

Prayers: Wednesday evening, August 21, 2024, at 6:00 pm (PDT).

Celebration of Life: THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST 22, 2024, at 10:00 am (PDT). If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below); a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter. A reception will follow.

Debbie Marie Collette Laurin, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away July 17, 2024, surrounded by her family and friends. She was 61 years old. Debbie was born March 5th, 1963, in Edson Alberta to her adoptive parents Albert and Collette Cloutier. Debbie grew up as an only child in Eaglesham AB where she first met her loving husband, Richard Laurin.

Debbie and Richard had been married for 38 years and adopted two wonderful boys, William and Krystian, whom she loved deeply. She was a dedicated mother who always made time for her children, whether it was watching them during school activities or playing hockey. Debbie also loved quadding with her sons as well as hunting with her husband. Debbie also adored her grandson, Levi. She cherished the opportunity to help his mother Rachel in raising Levi. Debbie cherished the time she could spend with her family.

Debbie, being raised on the farm, enjoyed all aspects of life on the farm whether it was running the equipment or bringing out the meals for her husband. She also had a love of the outdoors and the wide-open space provided on the farm. Debbie took pride in her house and yard; she loved mowing her lawn and would get upset if anybody thought they could cut the grass for her on her beloved John Deere mower. Most of all Debbie loved her family where she found true happiness in her sometimes-difficult life.

Debbie was diagnosed with a rare progressive blood disorder back in 1992, which slowly wreaked havoc on her body. Dealing with her disorder, although difficult at times, Debbie remained positive and focused on her joy – her family. Her courage and especially her strength was an inspiration to all who knew her, and she will be deeply missed.

Debbie is predeceased by her mom and dad, Albert and Collette Cloutier; her mother-in-law Annie Laurin, and her daughter-in-law Rachel Lee.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Laurin; her sons William and Krystian Laurin; her grandson Levi Laurin, and her father-in-law Clement Laurin.

A church service will be held on December the 6th, 2024 at the Saint Martyrs Canadians church in Tangent.

Debbie will be remembered as a kind, compassionate, and generous person who made a difference in the lives of so many. Her Legacy of love will live on through her family and friends whose lives she touched deeply.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of James Allan Canney on July 25, 2024. Born on June 8, 1944, in Greenock, Scotland, and immigrated to Canada in 1976 to embark on new adventures with his family.

Jim was a loving husband to Ellen Canney (née Loughlin), happily married for 55 years. He was a devoted father to his children, Allan and his wife Carmen, Tracy and her husband Paul, and a cherished Grandpa to his grandchildren, Jamie, Nuala, Evan, and Lila. Jim was the son of Samuel and Mary Canney and brother to Patricia O’Connor and Christine Verhey (predeceased).

Jim will be remembered for his dedication to his family, love of travel and his determined spirit.

Visitation will be held at Turner & Porter Neweduk-Erin Mills Chapel, 1981 Dundas St. W, Mississauga, on Monday July 29 from 5 pm to 8 pm. The funeral will take place at St. Christopher's Catholic Church, 1171 Clarkson Rd. N, Mississauga, on Tuesday July 30 at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to The Canadian Lung Association in Jim's memory