Estelle Eleanor Gerrand passed away on October 17, 2015 at the Brookhaven Care Home in Kelowna B.C. at the age of 97 years.
Estelle was born in Brandon Manitoba on January 27, 1918. Her parents were Annie and Andrew Huckla. The family moved to Melville, Saskatchewan when Estelle was very young. When she was 16 years old her father died and as her mother was not well, Estelle became the breadwinner in the home to support her mother and brother, Phillip who was four years younger. She worked as a domestic until she earned enough money to finance her training as a secretary. Once she was qualified she worked as secretary in the Melville Co-op Creamery as the manager’s assistant.
In 1940, Estelle married Walter Gerrand, the love of her life and they moved to Yellowknife, NWT where Walter worked as a miner and trained to be an assayer for the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company. It was an adventurous time for both of them as the stories of these early days are spellbinding. A year later their daughter Dianna was born and shortly after that they were transferred to the CM&S operations in Trail, BC. Two years later, their son Bruce was born and shortly after that Walter spent two years away training as a soldier in the Second World War. These were very difficult times for Estelle but with ingenuity and resourcefulness, challenges were overcome.
Walter and Estelle lived in Trail for 60 years enjoying raising their children and taking part in many community activities. Estelle was a busy mother with caring for her children and keeping an immaculate house and yard. She loved to sew, do needlework, play bridge, square dance and be an integral part of the neighborhood. She was involved as a Brownie leader, volunteered with the United Church ladies group, and rolled bandage for the Cancer clinic at the Trail Hospital. Estelle and Walter were long time members of the Knox United Church in Trail.
In later years, Estelle and Walter travelled to Europe and spent several winters in Hawaii. They both thoroughly enjoyed many bus trips from Trail to Reno as well as exploring Canada.
Estelle was predeceased by her parents Andrew and Annie as well as her brother Phillip. Walter died in 2002 and Estelle moved to Kelowna to be closer to her daughter. In Kelowna she lived in Sandalwood Retirement Resort for 11 years and Lakeshore Place for the last two years.
Left to mourn are daughter Dianna Behrner (Fred) of Kelowna, son Bruce Gerrand (Clara) of Castlegar, grandchildren Jeffrey (Melanie) Behrner and Alison (Shawn) Slingerland, Michael Gerrand (Pamela) and Lisa (Gerrand) Martin, great grandchildren Andrew Gerrand, Reid Gerrand, Darrah Martin, Jackson Martin and Kylan Behrner.
The family would like to thank Dr. Shari Claremont for the kind and compassionate care she provided for our mother. Also, thank you to Brookhaven Care Centre where the staff provided thoughtful and personal service.
A family graveside service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in Estelle Gerrand’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada or the the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.
Your family will love you and miss you forever