A Celebration of Life Service and Memorial Tea was held for Agnes Marie Bourelle on June 20, 2007 at the Quesnel and District Senior’s Centre.
Agnes was born in Summerland, B.C. on June 7, 1921 and passed away June 15, 2007 in Quesnel.
Agnes is survived by her husband Wally Bourelle, children; Helen (Alfred) Krause, Jack (Sharon) Thomson and Betty (Jerry) Karolat. Extended family Bonnie (Don) Mueller, Kate (Doug) Keene, Wayne (Linda) Bourelle and Teresa (Kelly) King, 18 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. Agnes is survived by older brother Harry and younger siblings Jack, Bernie and Bea McLean. She was predeceased by parents Reg and Doll Coldwell, two sisters Gertie Feyer and Gladys Drezet and brother Joe.
Many of Agnes’ early years were spent in the Alexandria, Marguerite Ferry area where she was a busy worker for the Alexandria Women’s Institute. At this time she also developed a love of quilt making. The quilts were gifts to her children and grandchildren as they married. Then it was crib quilts as the great grandchildren started to arrive. Some of the 47 quilts she made were entered in competition at the PNE and came home with prize ribbons.
Agnes was a member and worker with the Kersley Women’s Institute, Social Credit Party, Conservative Party, Quesnel Senior Society and the Bluegrass Organization. Agnes and Wally canvassed for the Cancer Society in the Kersley area for 20 years.
To keep fit she started a walking and exercise program in 1990 and if the weather was bad she would walk in the Senior Centre or the mall. At last count she had logged over 12,000 miles.
In the later years, Agnes’ greatest joy were her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She always seemed to have extra love to share with family, be it sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and naturally her and Wally’s immediate families. She was a wonderful wife, mother, Nanny and friend to us all and she was happy in the love she got in return. She will be sadly missed by all of us.
The family would like to thank the friends who so generously shared their time with Agnes this past year. The flowers and cards she received were greatly appreciated.
Thanks also go to Dr. Meek and the Home Care Nurses for their help and support, to the Red Cross Loan Cupboard, to the ladies of the Senior Centre for the tea, to Clayton Ward for his music, to Debbie and Cindy for their singing, and to all of you for being such a good friend to Agnes. In lieu of flowers donations are being accepted by the Canadian Cancer Society, 332 Front Street, Quesnel, B.C. V2J 2K3.