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Fern Aldred Fern Aldred

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Fern Aldred

May 19, 1923 - September 30, 2021

Tribute

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our family matriarch, Olive Fern Aldred. Fern was born on 19 May, 1923 in Pense, Saskatchewan, the youngest of 9 children and went home to meet her Lord on 30 September, 2021 in Abbotsford, BC.

Fern is predeceased by her parents, Gavin and Ellen McAlister (nee Anderson), husband Elwood, daughter Debora, sons-in-law Hank Penner and Mark Schiller, as well as her 8 siblings and their spouses. She is survived by her daughters Gail Penner, Dianne (Dale) Dixon, Donna Schiller, 7 grandchildren, as well as numerous great and great-great grandchildren, most of whom referred to her lovingly as “GG”. She also leaves to mourn several nieces and nephews.

Fern spent most of her childhood in Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan where she and her sister Ruth used to sing on the radio. She lived in several other small towns on the prairies before moving to Liverpool, England at the end of WWII. This is where she learned to knit, a hobby that she enjoyed throughout her life, as she disliked having idle hands. She eventually found her way to Burnaby, BC. where she met her second husband Elwood on a blind date. They were married 23 April, 1955 and eventually moved to Mission, BC where they became long-time residents. Fern always balanced being a wife and mother while working outside the home at many varied and interesting jobs. Two of those jobs were running a bakeshop in Vancouver with her sister Ida, and eventually becoming freight traffic manager at Anglo American Shake and Shingle in Mission.

GG was a gentle soul who made a lasting impression on those she met. She loved to sew and knit (both for family and for charity), travel and bake. She was well known for her butter tarts and people eagerly waited for Christmas each year to get a taste of one of her specialties. She also loved animals and music but her greatest love was her family. She looked forward to each and every family celebration and even when her mobility made it difficult to attend, she so wanted to be at any and all events. She would often say that she loved spending time with young people because that’s what kept her young at heart. Fern was the embodiment of grace, generosity and unconditional love. Her faith is what kept her grounded and optimistic, and she was one of those rare individuals who led by example.

The family would like to thank the staff at Menno Terrace East for their loving care of our beloved GG these past 6 years. They would also like to thank the doctors and nurses at Abbotsford Hospital (Cheam 3) for going “above and beyond” in their care of Fern in her last 2 weeks.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Bakerview Crematorium and Celebration Centre, where there will be a private graveside service and family reception. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice. In parting, we will remember one of GG’s favourite sayings…You don’t find life worth living, you make it that way! Until we meet again.

Condolences

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From: Bakerview Community Crematorium & Celebration Centre

Bakerview Community Crematorium & Celebration Centre Staff send our condolences to family and friends.

From: Sandra Goold
Relation: Friend of her daughter Donna

I had the pleasure of spending time with Mrs. Aldred at a number of family gatherings, and every conversation was filled with her warmth and a good many chuckles as she shared the comings and goings of her family. There was never any question about how deeply she loved her family or how deeply she was loved in return. I will miss her presence.

From: kayla bratberg
Relation: grand-daughter

i love you gg, please always watch over me

From: Christine Wojtowich
Relation: Great- niece

Dear Aunt Fern- I loved our chats of Scotland and when you went there you felt you were at home. Our chat of never voting for a Campbell still makes me proud! I will carry on the tradition for our Scottish legacy.
When I was pregnant we were chatting and I mentioned some tarts my grandparents used to make ( my grandpa, Stu, your brother). The next thing I know is I get a tinfoil of homemade tarts from you with the recipe- they flew all the way down to California from BC, with a humble note from you that you hoped you got it right. Yes, mam, you sure did. I enjoyed every one of those gems and the love that went into them.
We met later in my life, well both our lives, and I wish we had had more chats. I love you and we share a love of cats- an unbreakable bond. You told me how much you enjoyed that pink fleece blanket I sent you for a Christmas present and I couldn’t have given it to a lovelier lady!
Thinking of you and all your people up in BC who are missing you now. Say hi to my grandpa and our clan from me. Much love, Chris

From: Laural Martin
Relation: Grand niece

Our heartfelt condolences, the family. She was mom’s( Hazel June Martin, nee Ablett) last aunt. Mom has fond memories of her young aunties taking care of her.

Service Schedule

Private service arrangements have been made.

Memorial Gifts

The family has not designated a preferred charity at this time.

Thank You Notice

Send Flowers

Magnolias on Main
33253 1st Ave. Mission, BC V2V 1G6
(604)826-1110
http://www.magnoliasonmainflowers.com

All Tymes Florist
14567 – 72 Avenue, Surrey B.C.
604-596-6766
http://www.alltymesflorist.ca

Floral Symphony
Serving the entire lower mainland
778-558-0826
http://www.afloralsymphony.com

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