Inez Louise Thederahn

Born Sept. 3, 1932 Edgerton, AB - Died Jan. 24, 2024 Langley, BC

Inez died as she lived: quietly and with grace, knowing the people she loved were cared for. She suffered a major stroke Christmas Day, which left her body weakened, but her spirit strong, as she welcomed visits from family and friends, waiting until she was able to say goodbye to her dear ones before taking her final rest.

Inez started life in a rural village in Alberta. While her oldest sister helped their mother, in the house, as soon as she was old enough, Inez revelled in outdoor adventures, following her father around the farm, skating with her brother on the pond in winter and riding her Shetland pony to school. Her youngest sister, just a baby then, grew into her lifelong friend.

After High School, Inez moved to Calgary to attend business school and worked at several jobs. That’s where she met the love of her life, Bill. She moved to Edmonton briefly, thinking she wasn’t ready for marriage, but didn’t resist for long.

When they first got together their life was simple and studio apartment small. They were taken in by Wilbert and Ethel Hayden, to live in their basement suite. That was the beginning of a lifelong friendship, as was the case with most of Inez’s friends. She truly believed in the words of the old song: “make new friends, but keep the old,” and people responded to her kind and open heart.

Bill, Inez and their three young children moved around the prairies until they settled in Coquitlam, BC in 1966. Inez loved their new home and, again, made great friendships with neighbours that lasted the rest of her life. She was immensely proud of Dan, Michael and JoAnn and eventually her brood of 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. The Coquitlam house was a gathering place for family and friends, where the grandchildren got to enjoy the outdoors as much as their Grandma had in her day, running in the ravine, racing toy cars down the driveway and playing games of pool in the basement. Holiday gatherings were epic, with up to 30 people in attendance, and always room for one more at the table.

After vacations driving their kids and tent trailer all over Canada and the US, Inez and Bill enjoyed more luxurious travel in later life, flying to Palm Springs, New Orleans, Hawaii, Germany, Australia and cruising to Alaska and the Eastern Seaboard, often with her siblings and friends.

Over the years, Inez also boarded sons and daughters of friends, who came to BC to attend university, and they became part of her family. She learned acts of service, compassion and faith from her loving parents and church community that sustained her throughout her life. When she and Bill downsized, they moved to Langley where, as you’d expect, they both made new friends who, like all who knew her, mourn her loss now.

Survived by

Husband: Harry William “Bill”

Children: Daniel (Deborah), Michael (Elaine McKay), JoAnn Riley (Bruce Jackson)

Grandchildren: Justin (Joi), Noah, Hannah, Claire, William (Kara), Callum (Jessica), Ella (Rachael), Willow, Indigo, Brando

Great grandchildren: Reeve, Lucienne, Violet, Olive, and Lily

Brother: Eldon (Sharon), Sister (Beverly)

Predeceased by:

Father: Clifford

Mother: Hazel

Sister: Marion (Arnie)

Brother-in-law: (Jack)

A Memorial Service, followed by reception, will be held February 11, at 1 p.m. Community of Christ Church, 3333 Kaslo Street, Vancouver, BC.