Mrs. Ethel Bernice Johnson Walker

      In the song of life, Mrs. Ethel Bernice Walker was surely the composer. A very observant woman who would rather spend her time listening than talking, Ethel preferred to live in a world of harmony where everything around her made sense. A free spirit, Ethel believed that actions definitely spoke for themselves. She seemed to know what fit and what didn't fit in everything she did. Ethel lived with a definite sense of purpose. She was a woman who was always ready to welcome family and friends into her home to visit, stay for a meal, or spend the night. Hospitality was foremost in Ethel's life.

      Ethel was born on June 30, 1922 at her grandparent's home in Fort-a-la-Corne, Saskatchewan. Her parents were Esther and Ben Johnson. Ethel was raised in Brockington, Saskatchewan. As a young child, Ethel was optimistic in her outlook. She sought out the possibilities in a given situation and looked for ways to apply her creative energies. Ethel rarely calling attention to herself, but when she did speak out, her message was clearly understood by those around her.

      Early on in her family relationships, Ethel showed that she was a tolerant and flexible person, and she got along fairly well with everyone. She was raised with ten siblings. She had six brothers Harry, Clifford, Elvin, Arvin, Larry, and Ronald and four sisters Hazel, Helen, Eileen, and Elsie. She was a calm and playful child who was adaptable to any situation.

      As she was growing up, Ethel developed into a person who enjoyed physically doing things, and she took pleasure in using her hands in order to create. Whether it was drawing pictures, or even just tapping out a rhythm to play by, Ethel liked concrete things. Growing up, Ethel enjoyed family sing-a-longs and dancing to an old record player. However, to Ethel, the most fun she had was the pure enjoyment as a close-knit family shared with friends and neighbours, when fun and entertainment was of their own making.

      Those who didn't know Ethel well might not view her as being an outgoing person, those who called her their friend knew differently. Ethel was shy and sensitive, a person who never forced her opinions and values on others. Close friends knew that her kindness was unmatched, and once you became a friend of Ethel's, you understood how true a friend she could be. While growing up, some of her best friends were Emily Walcer, Sylvia and Evelyn Hendrickson, Ole, Melvin. Annie, Minnie, Martha, and Evelyn Tegstrom. Later in life, she became friends with Emily (Walcer) Amisano, Daisy Scott, and Doris Myers.

      A person who was sensitive to others' feelings, modest and tolerant, Ethel had the ability to become completely devoted to another when that affection was returned.

Ethel met Oscar Stanley (Stan) Walker, while working in Manitoba. They married on June 15, 1941, in Neepawa, Manitoba. In the fall they returned to Melfort, Saskatchewan where Stan worked the harvest for Ethel's uncle, Oscar Johnson. In the winter they moved to Cranbrook, B.C. where Stan worked at a lumber mill and Ethel waitressed. In 1942, Ethel and Stan moved to Vancouver, B.C.. Vancouver was home for 45 years. In June of 1987 Ethel and Stan moved to Abbotsford, B.C. . Sadly, Stan passed away on June 28, 1987. Family, friends, and faith helped Ethel through this tragic loss.

      Ethel was exceptionally sympathetic and compassionate when it came to her children. These emotional bonds made her as much playmate as parent. She gave her family unconditional love and kindness. Ethel and Stan were blessed with three daughters, Bernice (deceased 1966), Sharon, and LaVerne. They were also blessed with nine grandchildren, Carlene, Rhonda, Lorne, Laurie, Darryl, Shawn, Lloyd, Kelly, and Christopher,.

      Ethel found ways to enjoy what she did for a living. She worked hard and did her best to succeed every day. Her primary occupation was a factory worker. She was employed for several years by Kraft Foods. Ethel tended to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done without imposing her will on others.

      Ethel enjoyed her leisure time by going to swap meets with Stan. She and Stan started selling at swap meets on weekends along with good friends Emily and Tony Amisano. Ethel was relaxed in her approach to her leisure time because she wanted to savor the present moment. Also of great enjoyment for Ethel was going to play Bingo with Stan, her brother, Clifford (Cliff) and Anne. One time Ethel and Stan won $3500.00!

      Throughout her life, Ethel was a doer. Throughout her later years, Ethel was a member of the Peace Lutheran Church's thursday social club, The Scandinavian Center, and The Welsh Club. Ethel shared this passion of church and organizations with long-time friend, Ted Jones She had a tendency to bring peace to her relationships by avoiding disagreements. 

     Ethel's faith was important to her. She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church. Ethel's passionate commitment to upholding her values placed her at home in her religion, where she took comfort in the company of others who believed as she did.

       Ethel enjoyed travelling and going away on vacations. It was an opportunity for her to kick back and relax,. Favorite vacations included travelling back to her birthplace in Saskatchewan to visit with family. Before the Trans Canada Highway, travelling through the States to reach Saskatchewan was always a fun vacation time for Ethel, Stan and the three girls.

      Ethel was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. Her family was rounded out by budgie bird, "Jo-Jo" and turtle, "Timmy".

      Ethel retired in 1966 to raise her daughter, Bernice's two girls, Carlene and Rhonda Synch. Tragically Bernice drowned that year and Ethel and Stan won custody of the girls. In retirement, she found new pleasure in raising her two granddaughters, travelling by train with the girls and her sister, Hazel and Hazel's children to Saskatchewan to visit family during summer vacation school break. Even in retirement, Ethel continued to stay in touch with her old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. In these later chapters of her life, she became active in the community, feeling fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered her and simply enjoying what she had worked so hard to attain. At the tender age of 65, Ethel was determined to learn to drive a car Two learner's permits later, and with the instruction of Ted Jones, Ethel got her drivers license. Going to dances at the Senior's Hall with Ted Jones was something Ethel loved doing.

      Ethel passed away on January 19, 2008 at M S.A. Hospital, in Abbotsford, B. C. Ethel had suffered from mini strokes over the course of several years, but a heart attack took her life. She is survived by her daughters Sharon and LaVerne; her grandchildren Carlene, Rhonda, Lorne, Laurie, Darryl, Shawn, Lloyd, Kelly, and Christopher; great grandchildren Dylan, Caitlyn, Joseph, Nicholas, Sheldon, Alissa, Vincent, Tyler, Nathan, Alex, Keath, Melani, Ryon, Kelle, and Jesse; great-great grandchildren Damien and Taneya; brothers Elvin, Arvin, and Larry; and her sisters Hazel, Helen, Eileen, and Elsie. Services were held at Peace Lutheran Church. Ethel was laid to rest in Ocean View Burial Park in Burnaby, B. C.

      Ethel was a good woman, a kind woman, and a practical woman who will for all time be remembered by her family and friends as being warm and deeply caring. She leaves behind her a treasury of life-long friendships and wonderful memories. Ethel always had much to give and was able to make those connections in her life where her gifts were appreciated. Ethel was a faithful, practical and loving person. Everyone whose life she touched will always remember Mrs. Ethel Bernice Walker.