Obituary of Verna Birnie

Verna May Birnie (nee Howse) passed away suddenly on Thursday, June 18, 2009 at the age of 75.

Verna was born in Avonlea, SK, and attended the Moorefield and Sunshine Schools and high school in Avonlea. She moved with her family in 1951 to Ta Ta Creek, B.C., where she met Donald Birnie.

Verna and Don were married in Kimberley on March 15, 1954 and moved to Edmonton where they began their life and family. Don's work in the oil patch took them to Boundary Lake, BC, for several years and Carnduff, SK for seven years where many good friends were made. In 1974, Verna and Don moved back to Ta Ta Creek where they owned and operated Birnie's Store and Cabins. After selling the store they lived briefly in Kimberley before moving to Olds, AB. In 1983, Verna and Don moved to Golden, BC, again making many good friends along the way. After 34 years of marriage, Don passed away in 1988.

A few years later Verna was blessed with a second chance at happiness when Peter Woods came into her life. She moved back to the Kimberley area and has resided with Peter at "Woods Corner" since 1991. Her life with Peter was filled with love and friendship and they shared many adventures as they travelled the world together. Over the years Verna was involved in many activities but especially loved travelling and visiting friends and family. Verna spent many years doing extensive research on the Howse family tree. She was also involved in the research of the Kootenay Ripples History Book published in 2002. Verna's love and pride in her family was evident every time she spoke of them.

Verna was predeceased by her first husband of 34 years, Donald Birnie; her infant daughter, Shelly; her parents John and Margaret Howse and her step father Everett Howse.

Verna will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her companion Peter Woods and her Children Marilyn (Keith) Whitford, Richard Birnie, Sherry Birnie, Cindy Sharlow and Karen Ulry. Grandchildren Lindsay (Karl) Hauri, Brandy (Darren) Gregor, Miranda and Mitchell McLeod, Kayla and Nicole Ulry, Zachary Sharlow and Marissa and Janessa Birnie. Great Grandchildren Kali and Colson Hauri and Hannah Gregor. As well as by her sister Reta (Jim) Leask, brother Dennis (Alice) Howse, Grant Howse and Glen Howse, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, friends and neighbours.

A celebration of Verna's life will be held at the Wasa Community Hall on Thursday June 25, 2009 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC and Yukon (101-105 9 Ave S Cranbrook, BC V1C 2M1) or The Canadian Diabetes Association (360 - 1385 West 8th Ave. Vancouver, BC, V6H 3V9).