May passed away in the loving arms of her husband Russell, daughters Lenora and Lynda, and grand-daughter Sandra at the Bulkley Valley District Hospital on September 29, 2009
May entered this world on November 1, 1919 in Calgary, Alberta. She was raised there with her sisters Dorothy, Lillian and Eve. May was a lively person and willing to take on any challenge. She travelled by railcar to B.C. with her first husband Robert Edwin Martin. She had 3 children from that marriage, first being Lenora, Lorne, and finally Lynda. Her life took on a new direction when she was widowed and she finally met her best friend and soul mate, Russell VanHorn in the Bulkley Valley. Russ and May were married on November 15, 1957. They spent almost 61 devoted years together. Through these years they grew stronger and closer than most can imagine. Russ and May finally made their resting place in Houston with their family as well as making many dear friends, in 1999. May was a strong spirit that will live on in a lot of people, especially her family. She was a very devoted woman, and you could count on her to back you for any of your needs. Her family always said that, “She might be small, but boy was she mighty!”
May’s interests included her family, camping, fishing, (Grampi always said she caught the most, the first and the biggest), dancing, (sometimes on tables, which she was known to do into her late 80’s), knitting, crossword puzzles, bowling, gardening, and her greatest joy in her last 5 years was her great-great grandchildren. Gi-gi-ma as she was to her great-greats made Gram very, very proud. She always said that she must be extra special to be able to enjoy her great-greats. And boy, oh boy, did she! Gram looked so forward to her visits with her babies, and whenever she was feeling down or ill, she said her babies made her feel so much better. Gram even asked about her babies in her last hours. She was very proud to have had the blessing of carrying on 5 generations, and was never shy about letting anyone know that!
Loved and cherished by: Her loving husband and soul mate: Russell VanHorn. Sister: Dorothy VanHorn. Children: Lenora (Henry) Brienen; Lorne Martin; Lynda (Tom) Burford. Grandchildren: Dorothy (Ed) Pottinger; Sandra (Tom) Schneider; Jason Brienen; Trina Schley; Rusten McLellan; Patrick Martin; Tim Petersen; Peni (Karl) Harrison; Marty Petersen. Great-Grandchildren: Jennifer Kerr; Serena and Tyrus Pottinger; Amanda (Jeff) Blake; Myles Blake; Josh and Milo Schley; Cole, Morgan and Summer McLellan; Cyleste, Jasper, Iian, and Sam Petersen; Cort and Toren Harrison; Ashley and Tia Petersen. Great-Great Grandchildren: Laney Lewis; Chase, Chelle, and Hayden Cook; Griffin Dawborn. Special Little Buddy: Molly and many nieces, nephews, sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws and friends.
Predeceased by: Ernest Victor Stanley, Father. Rosina Doris Stanley, (nee: Pearce), Mother. Lillian Russell (nee: Stanley), Sister. Eve Victoria Stanley, Sister
Loved and missed greatly by all who knew her, may she rest in eternal grace and peace!
The family would like to thank Dr. Mike Yaremco, Sam, Brenda, Houston Ambulance, Houston Health Centre Nurses, Dr. Froese, and the Nurses at the Bulkley Valley District Hospital, especially Kelly and Brenda for their exceptional care of our wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother. Thanks to Terrilyn for always making Gram feel beautiful. Thank you to officiating Pastor Larry Ballantyne, and a very special thank you to Norma Delege for your never ending support. A heartfelt thank you to Auntie Joyce and Uncle Jim for their unlimited support and a big hug to Auntie Alice for doing the beautiful eulogy. To others too numerous to mention, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making Gram’s final days full of love and grace as she wished. Thank you as well to those for the flowers, cards, prayers and wonderful meals.
With love from the family of Russell and May VanHorn.