Nancy Pereverzoff of Raspberry Village, Castlegar passed away on April 19, 2015 at the age of 87. She was born on May 29, 1927 in Koch Siding (near Slocan Park, BC) to Steve and Martha Samarodin. She was the third of four children. As a girl, Nancy was known for her vibrant personality and her athleticism. She enjoyed track and field, playing softball, sleigh riding, dancing, and most of all, cooking. After finishing Grade 8, she worked in the community gardens near her home in Koh Siding and learned the arts of cooking, sewing and home-making from her mother and grandmothers.
In 1950, at the age of 23, Nancy married Alex A. Pereverzoff. They raised four children together, living at first in Slocan Park in the teacher’s house behind the school where Alex taught, then in Crescent Valley, finally settling in Raspberry Village near Castlegar.
Nancy was a devoted wife, mother and Doukhobor. The well-being of her family and community were her main priorities. She was a lifelong member of the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ, singing in numerous choirs, teaching Sunday school, and volunteering tirelessly as a member of the ladies’ committee and various cooking groups.
Nancy was an accomplished cook. Over the years, she served many guests, politicians and dignitaries, both in her own home and at the Brilliant Cultural Centre, and taught a Doukhobor cooking class through Selkirk College.
She was also a passionate gardener, and besides growing vibrant flower and vegetable gardens, she loved to can, pickle and preserve the harvest. In her later years, her nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. She did her best to teach them her life skills and Doukhobor values.
Nancy and Alex were married for 64 years. During the last years of his long illness, she never left his side.
Nancy was predeceased by her husband Alex in 2014, daughter Linda in 2010, brother Pete Samarodin, nephew George Samarodin, her sister Anita, and her parents.
She leaves behind to mourn her children Neil Pereverzoff (Natasha), Bonnie (James) Warner and Douglas Pereverzoff (Alex); nine grandchildren: Cameron, Kimberley, Krysha and Curtis Pereverzoff, Jeremy (Jen) Drazdoff, Jasmine Drazdoff, Kassandra Warner, Alexandra and Kylie Pereverzoff; four great-grandchildren: Taylor Pereverzoff-La Hue, Ely Overnay, Anneka and Wesley Drazdoff; and many relatives and friends.
The Pereverzoff family would like to extend a very special thanks to: John J.Verigin Jr., Laura Verigin and all her family members for their love, prayers and support during mom’s passing; all the friends and neighbours who called or came to the house with food, flowers and messages of condolence; relatives who travelled long distances; the Kootenay Psalmists, the grave diggers, and the ladies who prepared and served a delicious lunch. A very special thanks to Peter Zaytsoff for conducting the service with such sensitivity and kindness, and to Bill Strilaeff and staff at the Castlegar Funeral Chapel.
The family sincerely thanks all those who made donations in Nancy’s memory.
May she rest in peace.