Eunice Louise Wiens

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Eunice Louise Stephenson, the eldest of four daughters (Louise, Judy, Beth and Helen) born to Jack and Ruth Stephenson. Raised in Austin Manitoba, mom passed quietly November 18, 2023 in Kamloops, her beloved home.

Louise spoke many times of her early memories of her hometown. At a young age she began helping on the farm with cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing and baking for the farmhands; learning the basic skills of life. She would always comment on the mountains of food prepared, yet never a bite left over.

Mom’s love of music and her natural talent was evident, and at the young age of seven, travelling on the Greyhound bus each week for piano lessons. Louise spent her teenage years singing and playing duets, trios, solos, at every talent contest and festival for miles around. Mom spoke of the twice monthly trips with her Dad to Winnipeg for singing lessons with such fond joy. After appearing on Brandon TV, winning a provincial talent contest Louise cut her first record in 1959 at the age of 19. Then with prompting of her father, a second album in the early 80’s called Secular Favourites. She proclaimed it was her greatest musical achievement.

Louise blended her love of music, devotion to her faith and commitment to community with many years devoted to the Happy Choristers, Mount Paul United Church and St. George’s Anglican Church as their organist, Sunday school teacher, and choir conductor. She even had us kids mowing the grass and caring for the Church grounds. Early and often Louise always lead by example on how to be involved and a contributing citizen within our community.

Louise’s love of curling, another big influence from her father was truly one of her pure joys. Another example for us kids of her competitive nature, and lessons about life. She taught us how to compete, to practice, to be gracious, win or lose; but to be clear, winning was why she played.

Family was everything to Mom, she was very devoted to her children Jim, Kim, Ron, and stepson John. Her grandchildren, Crystal, Alita, Kyra, Samantha, and Brady, and great grandbabies Calcifer, Deklyn and Olivia, were all a constant source of love and pride for mom.

Words cannot express our thanks, respect and admiration for John Wiens, the love of Louise’s life. His love and devotion for her during their 16 years together made her incredibly happy. As her illness progressed and impacted her life, the one constant was their love. As Louise was no longer able to play music, bake, curl or do any of the things we all associated with her life, their love seemed to blossom. Rarely a day went by without hearing Mom’s infectious laugh and seeing her beautiful smile.

A celebration and service for Louise is planned on Saturday, December 2 at 11am, at St. Paul’s Cathedral Church on Nicola Street. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, consider a donation to the BC Alzheimer’s Society.

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