Violet May McKelvie, (Oram), the only child of Jack and Annie Oram, passed away at Baker Lodge, December 20, 2005.
Vi was born in Prince George, August 25, 1930, and the Oram’s moved to Quesnel in 1931.
Vi received her schooling in Quesnel and became well known and noted for her friendly and ambitious nature. She was honest, reliable and a willing worker. After school, weekends and holidays, she would do baby-sitting, clean and stock shelves in the stores at the west end of the old bridge, and later, worked for Dr. Baker as a Nurses Aid.
Following high school, Vi worked at Keens, grocery, clothing, sporting goods and shoe stores for twenty years. Frank McKelvie had moved from Wells to Quesnel in 1944. Frank and Vi met in 1946 and were married in Wells, BC, April 10, 1948. From 1951 to 1963, they were blessed with five wonderful children, Victor, Wendy, Monte, Kevin and Carle, all living in Quesnel.
Vi found time to be involved with softball, bowling and swimming. She was also very active in Social Credit fund raising and devoted several years to the Quesnel Legion Ladies Auxiliary. She loved animals and participated in parades and rodeos with her horse. Vi and Frank built a house, service station and cafe in Hixon in 1955, operating the business until 1962. Vi and her mother, Granny Oram, won the hearts of many with their friendly and courteous manner and good food.
Vi’s family was always her priority in her life and the family spent many happy times on picnics, outings and sports. She also enjoyed music and a dancing, and while Frank played at dances most of their married life, Vi decided to help out on drums. Not to miss out on dancing, they joined the Cariboo Wheelers Square Dance Club and traveled to many jamborees, including the lawns at the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa. Vi was also a good driver and navigator, touring by RV, 38 states including the Pacific and Atlantic Coast roads, the Canadian provinces, Yukon and Alaska.
Her father predeceased Vi in 1956 and her mother in 1965. She is survived by husband Frank, sons Victor/Karen (Pilkington), Monte/Kelly (White), Kevin/Brenda (Hawkes), daughters Wendy Cowlin/Dale and Carle Schisler/Ken, as well as 12 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held in the Quesnel & District Senior Centre, conducted by Clayton’s Funeral Service, Monday, January 2, 2006 at 1:00 pm. Bishop Darcey Dyck officiating with a tea to follow.
Members of the McKelvie family would like to thank Baker Lodge staff and Dr. Fine for the personal care and attention given to Vi and to all that expressed their heartfelt sympathy and gave help and encouragement in our time of sorrow. Special thank you to Clayton’s Funeral service, Bishop Darcey Dyck, the Old Time Fiddlers, singer Lynda Kuhn, Quesnel Lions Club, Quesnel Legion Auxiliary and to all the people attending the service. Thank you so much.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Baker Lodge Activity Account or Quesnel Lions Club, to be directed to Easter Seal House.