November 14, 1921 - April 10, 2021
Our mom, grandma, great grandma and great great grandma passed away after 99 years of well lived life.
Born in Carnduff, Sask. to Clara and Rob Norton. She was the youngest of seven children. She was an active vibrant person well into her 90s. Stella married Charles Buchanan and they had two daughters Vivian and Charlotte.
When Charlie joined the ARMY he was stationed on Vancouver Island and Stella and the girls moved to Surrey to be closer to him.
When overseas the ARMY sent Stella $72.00 a month. She decided to put some money down on a piece of property at the south end of the Patullo Bridge so they could start a business after the war. She paid $50.00 a month on the property. Fed and clothed her two little girls on $22.00 a month and what she could make working at a turkey farm. Stella made the last payment the month that Charlie was demobilized. The business they started was Norbuck Motors and Stella was the first lady gas jockey in BC. She was a force to be reckoned with.
I remember in 1948 the year of the big flood in the Fraser Valley mom was Pres. of the PTA and in charge of feeding all the ARMY troops working on the dikes along the Fraser River. Huge job. But mom and her crew were up for the job.
She was a lifelong hockey fan (Go Canucks) when the Trail Smok Eaters won the World Championship, she was in seventh heaven. She tried to attend any games her grandchildren were playing, soccer, softball or hockey. (She played ball for her hometown when she was a teenager). The Canucks were her passion right to the end of her life.
Charlie and Stella moved to the Cariboo in 1959 to the 93 Mile. They then moved to Williams Lake, where Stella worked for Canada Post. It was here that their last little girl was born, Lynda, to complete their family.
They eventually returned to 93 Mile where there was an open door policy. The special meals and baking are still talked about by the grandchildren. When hunting season rolled around, Stella would be cooking breakfasts for any number of hunters and just as likely to put on her boots, grab her coat and go hunting too.
What wonderful memories she left her grandchildren.
Playing ball with the boys (they were amazed that she was so good). Taking them berry picking on the Old Cariboo Highway and telling them some of the old history or just teaching them to play rummy.
Above all else, she was a seamstress. A skill she passed on to some granddaughters.
We cannot count the number of wedding dresses, grad dresses or what have you that she made over the years. Her daughters had a new outfit for every special occasion when they were growing up.
When Charlie was sent to George Derby Veterans Hospital, Stella moved to Burnaby
to be near him. She volunteered at George Derby as a seamstress for 21 years, and she still sewed for family, friends and neighbours. She was always busy. Reading the Sun paper and solving the crosswords were a daily routine.
After Charlie passed away she still volunteered at George Derby for quite a few years, sadly because of an injured eye she had to give up the sewing. Stella then moved to Williams Lake to be close to her family and spent the last years of her life cheering on the Canucks, enjoying her family and welcoming each little great and great great into the family. Stella, our mom, gramma, the gramma with all the greats will be in our hearts forever.
She is survived by daughters Vivian MacNeil (Doug), Charlotte Buchanan and Lynda Pinette (Paul). Grandchildren: Scott Lees (Marlene), Russ Lees (Cindy), Mark Lees (Sandy), Tara Lees (Keith), Grahame Lees (Lindalee), Andrea Pinette (Kevan), Shelby Pinette (Tyler), Victoria Pinette, Alex Pinette (Eilish).
Great grandchildren: Dave Broomfield, Derek Broomfield (Erica), Matt Lees (Jackie), Jay Lees (Tori), Erin Krauskopf (Kyle), Taylor Lees (Alara), Shereen Lees (Joel), Taya Lees (Shea), Kirsten Lees (Otis), Callum Lees, Reagan Meise, Spencer Meise, Logan Meise (Dana), Scott Lees (Sam), Caitlyn Lees (Derek), Brittany Lees (Scott), Daya - Skyleigh, Ember & Lux - Arlow and Hayes.
Great great grandchildren Calissa Broomfield, Cory Lees, Carson Lees, Maia Lees, Rylie Lees, Quin Krauskopf, Gracie Lees, Avery Lees, Celton Requarth, Camlen Requarth.
She was predeceased by her husband Charlie and her beloved great grandson Liam.