Miriam Schaefer

Miriam was predeceased by her husband Otto Schaefer, sisters Eleanor Rea, Carol Brigden, Amanda Burkholder and brother Harry Christman, as well as her parents Adolph and Emilia Christman. She is survived by her brother Norman Christman, and lovingly remembered by her daughter Janet Hecker, son-in-law Keith Hecker, grandchildren Christopher Hecker and Kerry Hecker (Lowell Strauss), plus great grandchildren Danny and Jesse.

Miriam was born on the Christman family farm in the Arbana district of Saskatchewan near Maple Creek. She attended a country school and took high school by correspondence. She wanted to be a nurse, but couldn’t afford the fees, so she became a Nurse’s aide and was employed in the Maple Creek Union Hospital. The seamstress who made her uniforms became her mother-in-law, when she married Otto Schaefer in 1941 in Regina. Otto later joined the RCAF and after basic training in Moose Jaw, he was posted to Montreal. Miriam delivered her only child in March 1943 and when the baby was six weeks old, she took the train across the continent to be with her husband. Six months later Otto was posted to the west coast of Vancouver Island. They travelled back across Canada and after purchasing supplies at Woodwards in Vancouver, they boarded the “Uclulet,” the boat that took them to Tofino, where they lived in a small house built in the tree line on Long Beach. Two years later when the war ended, the couple moved back to Maple Creek SK, where they went into business running a radio repair shop. Later they bought Hodson Hardware and ran that business until retirement. They moved to Chilliwack in 1973, to Hampton House in 2008, and Miriam went into the Bradley Centre in November 2012.

Miriam enjoyed porcelain painting, making pottery and bobbin lace, and other handcrafts. She was a lifetime member of the Rebekah Lodge. She was a registered BC artist and leaves behind a great legacy of works of porcelain art.

The memorial service will be held Monday, June 30, 2014 at 2 PM in the Chapel at Henderson’s Funeral Home, 45901 Victoria Ave. in Chilliwack, with Rev. Graeme Isbister officiating. A reception will follow in the Tea Room.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Bradley Centre for the marvelous care they gave Miriam during her last 2 years. Donations may be made to the Bradley Centre.

Arrangements under the direction of Henderson's Funeral Homes & Crematorium Ltd., Chilliwack, British Columbia.