STARCHUK: FRANCES MARGARET (nee PEET).
December 2, 1921 - June 7, 2016
In the same gentle way she lived her life, Frances Margaret Starchuk peacefully slipped away on June 7, 2016 at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital, with her family by her side. Frances was predeceased by her English born parents, Ada Agnes (Graham) Peet and John Richard Peet. She was the ninth of fifteen children. She was also predeceased by three sisters, Jennie, Rachel and Nancy, and ten brothers, Jack, James, Reg, Jeff, Hugh, Ben, Harry, Ed, David and Bob. She is survived by her much loved sister, Alice (Ove) Pederson, of Nelson, BC.Sadly, Frances was predeceased by her husband William (Bill) Starchuk in October 2013. Bill and Frances were loving parents to Gloria (Bill), Bob (Lynn) and Gary (Debbie) all of Victoria, BC, and Gord (Mary) of Kelowna, BC, caring grandparents to Nick (Krystyna), Kathryn (Eric), Kristina (Dave), Dave (Kelly), Chris, Aidan and Lucas, and delighted great-grandparents to Charlie and Eddie, Emilie and Benjamin, and Abby. Her genuine love and interest in family during her 94 years extended to her many nieces and nephews and to their families. Frances was born on December 2, 1921, in Peat, AB. She moved to Langley, BC in the early forties, where she helped with the family farm. She later moved to Cloverdale, where she worked at Langley Greenhouse and then in a flower shop. Frances and Bill married in Calgary and later settled in Vernon, which they made their home for over forty years. Frances enjoyed tending her garden and home, camping throughout Alberta and BC, and travelling to several countries abroad. She was an avid bowler, winning a Women's Team Silver Medal at the 1988 BC Winter Games. She and Bill moved to Canterbury Court in Vernon in 2008, where Frances enjoyed a variety of activities and, of most importance to her, the opportunity to make new friends. Frances was a gentle woman. Those who knew her well remember her as kind, caring and quick with a hug and a smile. Frances had a quiet strength. She endured heart problems for many years, but never lost her positive attitude and zest for life. She was truly one of a kind, and will be sadly missed. The family would like to thank Dr Deetlefs and his staff, and the nurses at VJH for their compassionate care of Frances. We would also like to thank her close friends and the staff at Canterbury Court for supporting her in her final years. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm, 16 June 2016 at the Pleasant Valley Funeral Home, 4303 Pleasant Valley Road, Vernon. Internment will take place the following day at 9:30 am, at the Lakeview Memorial Garden Cemetery, 2850 Dry Valley Road, Kelowna. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frances' name to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com.
Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna. 250-762-2299