Melinda "Linda" Helen Wirch

January 14th, 1933 – December 2nd, 2021

Melinda Helen Wirch, at age 88 years old, passed peacefully on to Glory at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock, B.C., on Thursday, December 2nd, 2021.

Linda (as she was known) was born in Waldheim, Saskatchewan, to John and Agnes Loewen and grew up in a large family on the farm in Dalmeny.

The family moved to Chilliwack, B.C. when she was fourteen years old and Linda later met her husband of 64 years, Arthur. They were married on November 6th, 1953 and moved to Vancouver, built their first house, worked at CP Telegraph together, and started a family.

In 1967, the family moved to Fremont, California. Linda was active in the Alliance Church until she returned to Vancouver in 1972. She continued to be active in 10th Avenue Alliance Church where Linda also developed her love of crafting.

Linda was saved early in life and baptized at fourteen, with a lifetime fully dedicated to Christian service. She was a true example of service to others for over 70 years. Her service started with organizing a large Graduation Banquet for Chilliwack High in 1950 and continued to the sewing she did at home for missions until her last days. Linda sang in the choir and trios for many years. She was active in the 10th Avenue Alliance Adult Fellowship and Christian Women’s Club. Linda organized nursey and toddler departments, was a church wedding hostess and planner, church kitchen organizer, church janitor if needed, involved in the Oasis Street Ministry, and sewed for Helping Hands at Peace Portal Alliance.

Linda was always close with extended family, who all spent a lot of time at their favorite spot Birch Bay Leisure Park. She treasured time spent there with her grandkids. She and Art also built their dream home in Coquitlam in 2000 on property they had owned for over 30 years.

Linda was doing all this while bringing up three kids and eventually traveling a 20-year journey with Arthur and his Parkinson’s as a primary caregiver. We are happy she could spend the last three years since Arthur’s passing at her comfortable townhome with her dear friend and caregiver, Rozen.

Linda is predeceased by her husband of 64 years Arthur, and survived by their daughter Elaine Gourlay-Heppner and grandkids Kristy and Alan Messier (great-grandkids Kieran and Cadence), Breanne Gourlay (great-grandkids Daylan and Bryden), and Jené and Evan Weatherhead (great-granddaughter Maëlle), son Cal and Jean Wirch (grandkids Andrew, Matthew, and Erin), and son Greg and Alison Stillwell (granddaughter Sophie). She was a kind and caring woman and an inspiration to her family and many friends.

A Celebration of Linda’s life is planned for 11am on Saturday June 11th, 2022 at Chilliwack Alliance Church.