Holly May Ducharme (nee Gaines)
May 3, 1915 ~ November 29, 2011
It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Holly May Ducharme on November 29, 2011 at the age of 96 years.
Holly May Ducharme (nee Gaines) was born to parents Pheobe and Frank Gaines in Hanley, SK on May 3, 1915. She received her formal education in Hanley, SK. Holly married Joseph Placid (Joe) Ducharme on November 10, 1934 in Medstead, SK and four years later they made their journey to the Creston Valley.
While living in Creston in the earlier years, Holly worked in private homes. Then Holly and Joe left Creston for a period of time and lived in Fort Macleod, AB, Salmo, BC, Jaffery, BC, Calgary, AB, and Mountain Shores, BC. She worked as a cook in different restaurants in all of these places except Calgary where she managed an apartment building. In 1981 they made their way back and retired in the Creston Valley.
Holly enjoyed her garden until she was no longer able to; she also enjoyed spending time with family and friends, writing letters and keeping in touch with them. She loved reading, playing cards and watching the Calgary Stampede on the television every year.
Holly was predeceased in 2009 by her husband of 74 years, Joe Ducharme; grandson David Berg; daughter Mrytle Kovacs; granddaughter Glenda Swietalski (nee Berg); sons Grant Ducharme and Frank Ducharme; grandson Wesley Ducharme; three great-grandchildren Taylor and Lane Ducharme and Cole Berg; three sisters Myrtle Gaines, Iva (Bill) Mather and Fern (Joe) Holms and one brother Glen (Norma) Gaines.
She will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by her three sons Lloyd (Jean), Fred (Yvonne) and Larry all of Creston, BC; daughters-in-law Margaret and Luella of Fort Macleod, AB, as well as sixteen grandchildren, thirty-nine great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was a wonderful, gentle, kind lady, a wonderful mother and mother-in-law who will be greatly missed.
A private family Memorial Funeral Service will be held at a later date. Friends wishing to make a memorial contribution may do so to the charity of the donor’s choice.