Walterean "Wally" Popein

Walterean (Wally) Popein (Halarewich) was born July 8, 1933, in the Crescent Lake District, south of Yorkton, Saskatchewan. She was one of 16 children born to Titus and Pauline (Cherneski) Halarewich. Wally passed away peacefully on February 17, 2022 at the Trillium Lodge Hospice in Parksville, BC with family at her side.

Wally was the beloved wife and lifelong partner of Ronald Popein. Wally and Ronald were to celebrate their 68th Anniversary on February 24th of this year.  She was predeceased by her children Donald and Laurel and survived by Gary (Monika) and Tim (Carolyn).   Wally loved spoiling her grandchildren Andrew, Jennifer, Kimberly and Devon, her great grandchildren Kade, Lincoln, Riley, step grandchildren Cameron and Jeremy as well as numerous fur babies.

Wally started her career as a secretary for the Saskatchewan Health Region No 1 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan and through hard dedicated work retired as Director for the Health Region. Wally believed in giving the less fortunate an opportunity to succeed. She was an amazing seamstress, making all her clothes for work and dances, which she loved to attend with Ron. She passed on her love for sewing and knitting to her daughter in laws. After teaching Ronald how to skin a rabbit and catch a fish, Wally always supported Ronald’s outdoor pursuits and made wonderful traditional feasts out of whatever he managed to catch. She was a great cook, and her children and grandchildren have many recipes and traditions that have been passed on. From her famous Borscht to monkey bread and puffed wheat squares, to steak and lobster on anniversaries, she knew how to create a feast to share with family and friends. Wally and Ron resided in Swift Current SK for 62 years before moving to Vancouver Island 18 months ago to reside with family.

Wally had a great memory and could recall an event or a person from 70 years ago. You could sit with her, and she would share stories from the past, loving the holidays and experiences that she and Ron had over the years. She would laugh easily and smiled often.

She is in our hearts and will be remembered.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to CNIB or Trillium Lodge, Parksville, BC.