FEB.19, 1930 - OCT. 29, 2010
Eva Helen Pukari was born in Rock Point, Sask. to Finnish immigrant parents Axel and Olga Pukari, the eldest of 4 children. Sadly, her father passed away in 1940 when she was only 10, making life difficult for her family. At the age of 17, Eva left her family in Saskatchewan and made her way to Vancouver, followed in succession by Solsqua (Sicamous), Kelowna and Revelstoke where she worked at Queen Victoria Hospital. November 7th, 1950 she married Ken Cameron, a Canadian Pacific fireman./engineer. They had 2 daughters, Elaine and Karen. Eva and Ken remained in Revelstoke until May 1979 when Ken could hold a job on the Vernon Switcher. They bought a home in Vernon. Ken retired from CP in October 1983 and they enjoyed their retirement travelling, dancing, golf and horseshoes until Ken passed away in May 1992. Eva remained in Vernon, and sure enough, love once again appeared in her life in 1993 in the form of Ervin Albert. They married July 14th, 1995 and enjoyed many travels and adventures.
Left to mourn her passing, loving husband Ervin Albert, daughters Elaine (Tim) Buchanan and Karen (Verne) Kozmick, stepson George (Georgine) Albert, brother Roy Pukari (Carolyn), granddaughters Kim (Pascal) Blommestein and Heather Cretelli (Ben Parkin); and grandsons Garrett Kozmick (Angeline Gagnon) ; Ryan (Jeanelle) Cretelli and Steven Albert; 8 great-grandchildren; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Predeceased by her father Axel in 1940, brother George in 1958, brother Bruno in 1979, mother Olga in 1986 and 1st husband Ken in 1992.
Always a devoted wife and loving mother, she became ‘Super Nana’ when her grand-children arrived on the scene – they were always very special to her. Eva loved animals and had a passion for horses that lasted throughout her lifetime. She loved sports, softball, badminton, curling, golfing, ,horseback riding, cross-country skiing, horse-shoes, bowling and dancing-first with Ken and the dancing continued on with Ervin. She was creative and artistically talented-she could do anything and do it well-gardening, baking, snow sculpture, sewing, photography, embroidery, crochet, pottery and sculpture, china painting, paper crafts, drawing, painting – just to name a few of her artistic pursuits. In Revelstoke, she became active in Brownies, holding the title of ‘Tawny Owl’ for many years. She also belonged to the Revelstoke Art Group, curling and ski clubs and assisted with local community groups. In Vernon, she was a member of the Horse-Shoe club, curling club, Happy Dancers, Halina Pattern Dancers, Halina Seniors Centre and bowling leagues. Her home was always open and often provided for many family and friends.Eva also loved camping and travelling. She visited Finland twice, first with her mother in 1968 and then with Ken and her brother Roy and his wife in 1975 to visit and connect with relatives. Other travels included Hawaii, Puerto Vallarta, Palm Springs and Disneyland, Yuma, Carribean Cruise, Las Vegas, Reno, Eastern Canada, Branson, and many trips in the motor home with Ervin to horse-shoe tournaments and music festivals, fall fairs, Seniors Games, Alaska, Yukon and NWT and family get-togethers in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
She will lovingly be remembered for her generous spirit, friendliness and her love for family and friends.
A service of remembrance will be held Friday, Nov. 5th at 1:00 p.m. at the Pleasant Valley Funeral Home Chapel with a reception following the service at the Halina Seniors Center in the Vernon Rec Centre complex.
Arrangements are in the care of Vernon Funeral Home 250-542-0155. Condolences may be offered at www.vernonfuneralhome.com
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