Juanita Teresa Heddle

Juanita “Nita” Heddle- mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister - passed away peacefully on January 24, 2018 in Vernon, BC.

Nita was born in Enderby, BC on December 11, 1939 to Nicholas and Mary Sabulsky. Her and her family moved to Grinrod, BC after the tragic death of her older brother Benny. In Grinrod she worked on the family farm, and helped raise her two younger brothers, Denny and Leo.

When she was 18, Nita met and fell in love with Richard “Dick” Heddle of Oyama, BC. They eloped to Okanogan, Washington on the opening day of the Okanagan Lake Bridge, and were among the first few vehicles to make the voyage across. Their daughter Lani was born in 1958, and their son Rick was born in 1972.

Nita and Dick moved to Oyama in 1969 and built their beautiful family home. Nita worked at the Oyama packing house and at then at Eaton’s in Vernon. She was an active member of the Oyama Community Club, and was very energetic and high spirited and she often spoke of the fun times she had there dancing, and exercising. Nita kept a beautiful vegetable and flower garden, and passed on her knowledge to her granddaughters about growing food, preserving and cooking. She also passed down was her delicious beet borscht recipe.

Nita once described her best accomplishment as her family. She will always be remembered for her inviting home, her quick wit and humour, and her devotion to her family and friends. Many people will miss her for her famous chocolate chip cookies. Nita always enjoyed expressing her love through food; she continued to cook and bake, even when she should have been resting.

Nita was preceded in death by her husband Dick who passed on November 27, 2017. They were married for 59 years.

Nita will be lovingly remember by her children, Lani (Jim) and Rick (Shannon), her grandchildren, Megan (Malcolm), Nikki, Carly, and Sienna and her great-grandchildren Nicholas and Otto. She will also be remembered by her brother Leo (Janice) and family, as well as countless friends and loved ones.

A celebration of life will be held for both Nita and Dick, in the spring.

In lieu of flowers those friends wishing to make memorial contributions in memory of Juanita may do so to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation.