Verna Rae Zawaduk

Born April 22nd 1936 in Bowman Township, Ontario, Verna was the fourth of seven children to Annie (d. 1999) and Clarence Wood (d. 1964). She was predeceased by her husband of 66 years (m. 1955) Anthony Metro Zawaduk (d. 2022), her sons Mitchell Rae (d. 1993) and Michael Anthony (d. 2015), her daughter-in-law Kristine Leigh (d. 2013), her brother Edgar (d. 2006), her sister Beulah (d. 1997), and her brother Dennis (d. 2022). Verna is survived by her daughter Cheryl Ann (Jim Manson), her three cherished grandchildren Zakary Zawaduk, Michaela Manson, Alysha Zawaduk, her loving siblings Margaret (Robert d. 2007), Marilyn (Don), Earnest (Ernestine) and her many nieces/nephews.

Verna moved with her family to Delta, British Columbia in 1942. She was an excellent student, graduating from Princess Elizabeth High School. She subsequently studied X-ray technology, a field in which she worked up to the 1970s. Verna married her life partner Anthony in 1955 with whom she had three children. Their family was supported by strong connections with her neighbouring extended family. In 1970 she moved to Kamloops. There, she and Tony began an excavation business while she also worked part-time at Tranquille Residential Care. Later that decade, they moved to Knutsford where she and Tony lived until 2021. Knutsford was her special home, a place where she felt part of a supportive community. Verna was the ever present in-home office support until the birth of her grandchildren. Then, she handed over the small business responsibilities to become a dedicated grandmother and world traveller. She made many lifelong friends wherever she went.

Verna leaves a legacy of love and friendship. She was a good person, a loving wife, a dedicated daughter and mother, a working woman, a doting grandmother, a loyal sister, a caring aunt, and a fun-loving, confidence-keeping, reliable friend. She will be remembered for her kindness and generosity, great cooking and baking, sense of humour, commitment to family, world travels, skill in stained glass, love for reading and word games, as well as her belief in the importance of education and economic independence of women. Despite premature losses of close loved ones, she continued to experience and give joy to others. She had a special way of lifting people up, making them feel welcome, and bringing people together. Many experienced her loving and caring ways. She created a home for those that needed one.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at Kamloops Seniors Village for their assisted living support that allowed Verna to experience independence in her final days.

A celebration of her life will be held Saturday March 18th at Schoenings Funeral Home. Kamloops BC at 11:00. Interment to be held at 1 pm at Hillside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers consider a donation to the Canadian Red Cross https://www.redcross.ca/donate/appeal/donate-to-the-canadian-red-cross-fund