We are sad to share the loss of our husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.  

​Arnold Paul Pieron
December 15, 1935 – September 15, 2020

Paul is survived by his wife of 62 years Henriette, 4 daughters -  Cora (John), Andriëtte, Paulien and Petri, 5 grandchildren – Hannah, Marcus, Drew, Leoni and Rhys and 1 great-granddaughter – Arienna.

Born in the Netherlands, Paul started his medical training in Amsterdam and then emigrated to Canada where he specialized in orthopaedics in Winnipeg.  He moved his family back to the Netherlands to do a PhD in Leiden. In 1973 the family returned to Canada where he had a thriving practice as an orthopaedic surgeon in Regina, Sask.  He completed the final 10 years of his career back in the Netherlands.  He and Henriette retired to Surrey BC, where they have enjoyed a rich social and cultural life with many friends.

Paul was an avid traveller. He sailed, skied, cycled, hiked, walked, swam, enjoyed bridge and was an enthusiastic gardener.  He also had an eclectic collection of antique cars which he enjoyed showing at car club events.

Paul was a foundation member of Kings University in Edmonton, involved in church life – latterly the Peninsula United Church in Surrey.  He and Henriette were very involved in sponsoring refugee families as well as charitable works in El Salvador and elsewhere.  Paul was a man of few words and a lot of good deeds.
 Paul walked a unique path through a full life.   His counsel, love and consistent ever present support will be missed by his extended family which now spans 4 generations, his friends, his patients and the charities he supported.   

Paul will be laid to rest at the Hazelmere Cemetery, Surrey, BC with a private graveside service.

His service will be live streamed on Friday September 25, 2020 at 11am and can be viewed afterwards by going to ​https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=333577497700252&extid=B128iAedsfqocACA

passed away peacefully on the 31st July 2020 in Vancouver, BC at the age of 68.
Arnold is lovingly remembered by his brother Clarence Pennier (Nancy), his children: Felicia Pennier (David Hudon) and Arnold Crey, Jr., his grandchildren: Tatiana, Kitche, Talale, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
​
Predeceased by parents: Frank and Amanda, brothers: Ernie, Gordie, Ralph, Woody, Roger, and sisters Amy, Evelyn, Marilyn. 

Arnold has always been a selfless and giving person and known as a strong and silent type. He was exceedingly intelligent and known to complete crossword puzzles in pen, had a love of music, including a lifelong ability to contribute to the art with his bass guitar. He will be greatly missed.

Services will be held at Sq’éwlets Administration Building at 12892 Moses Drive, Lake Errork, BC. Prayers will take place  on Monday, August 3rd, 2020 at 7pm.
A Celebration of Life will be on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at 10am, with a A luncheon to follow. Private cremation to take place afterwards.
​
The service will be livestreamed at the link below and on Ancient Burials facebook page. 

In lieu of donations please e-transfer to lorikelly@shaw.ca.
(No password required, as its set for automatic deposit)

​Passed away in Vancouver on May 14, 2020. He will be missed by family, friends and those who knew her. Private burial to occur at the Surrey Centre Cemetery. 

Ken unexpectedly passed away on June 30, 2020. He is survived by his loving partner Francesca, daughter Madelyn and sister Anita. Ken was an ordained Chaplain who officiated over 1,000 memorial services for families in the past 18 years. He was a man of great kindness, compassion and loyalty. A musician of the heart, who touched the lives of so, so many....

You are now in spirit, to soar the skies and heavens free like the birds in their beauty, and palettes of extraordinary colour, you so passionately embraced in life!

Your family, Unity family, friends and colleagues shall carry our love and memories of you, forever in our hearts! We will miss you! Until we meet again...

A Celebration of Ken's life will be announced at a future date. 

Entered into the rest of the Lord on May 23. He will be dearly missed by his Bethesda Community and friends. A graveside service will be held on June 25, 2020 at the Mount Lehman Cemetery, located in the 29000 block of Taylor Road, Abbotsford. The service will be live streamed on the Ancient Burials Facebook page as well. 
May he rest in Peace. 

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=694475178073322

December 10, 1983 - May 23, 2020
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our kind, generous, funny and lovable son, Alexander Hall.

Alex is survived by his parents, Ross and Susan, special confidante and very supportive and loving sister, Jennifer, brothers Steve (Tracey) and Denny (Nikki) and many aunties, uncles, cousins and other extended family. 

Alex loved his family, his many true and loyal friends but mostly his darling daughter Zeyla, who was the light and joy of his life.
Alex will be forever missed and loved. We are left with a huge hole in our hearts. Rest easy, lovely Boy.

Perhaps at a later time when it is safe, friends and family may be able to say goodbye together. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Alex's name may be made to Connaught Heights Elementary School, New Westminster.
You may also go to https://newwestschools.ca/contact-us/donations/ then click on New Westminster School Online Donations. Select Connaught Heights and the amount. You may also issue a cheque payable to SD40 New Westminster and include the school name and in memory of Alex Hall. 
​
A charity of your choice is also an honourable way to remember Alex and just as greatly appreciated. 

Mary Thielmann (Hildebrandt) passed away peacefully, and as gracefully as she lived her life, on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 in Menno Home in Abbotsford, BC. Her family was able to be with her - a person at a time - during her last 8 days on earth. What a priceless gift this was!

Mary was born on March 26, 1931, in Einlage, Ukraine. She was the third daughter born to Anna (Dyck) and Heinrich Hildebrandt after Annie and Erna, and was followed by her brother, Henry. Mary’s childhood and education were unpredictable and disrupted by World War 2. Her first two school years were in the Russian language, and then continued very sporadically in German when the German army moved in. Her family fled Ukraine, making their way to Germany. Ten months later they were moved to Poland and lived there until the beginning of 1945 when, at night, they heard a knock on their window and were warned to leave because the Russian soldiers were moving in. God protected them, and they were able to escape to Venigerode, Germany. The Russians took this area over later on, but after some time the family was able to move into the “American” zone. From there, they boarded a ship bound for Canada and made the 10-day voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, immigrating to Canada. It was the spring of 1948. Mary began a new chapter in her life - in a land of freedom - as a 17 year old girl settling in Chilliwack BC with her family.

Mary and Albert Thielmann met in Chilliwack, although she had first seen Albert on the street below her window in Germany, and Albert had seen her onboard the ship to Canada. They were married on September 19, 1954 and began their life together in Vancouver and then Burnaby where their family grew to three sons and two daughters. Mary loved being a mother and fully enjoyed her children, often referring to all of them as her blessings. 

Their church community was a very important part of family life. Mary and Albert never lost the wonder of this new found freedom they now had in Canada to freely gather together in churches to worship God. Bible reading and worship songs no longer had to be kept top secret as they had throughout their young lives in communist Russia. They became invested members of 43rd MB Church in Vancouver and then helped form the new church plant of Willingdon MB Church in Burnaby. Central Heights Church became their church family when Mary and Albert realized their vision of a country property and moved to Mt. Lehman BC in 1978.  

Mary was often found outside maintaining the many garden areas in the yard, or picking up hazelnuts during harvest season in the hazelnut orchard they had planted. The kitchen was the other place she could be found, cooking, baking, canning or dehydrating something. Her bread, and hazelnut cake and squares were welcomed gifts and favourites with people in the community as she was sure to pack up something from her kitchen to share with others. She cared about all the people she met and looked for ways to “reach out" to them in some tangible warm-hearted way.

Mary and Albert adored each other. They were business partners, traveling companions who travelled extensively world-wide, shared an intimate spiritual relationship, and opened their home to countless overnight visitors or guests at their table during their 53 years of marriage. When Albert passed away in 2007, Mary continued living in Mt Lehman until four years ago when it became necessary for her to move into long term care.

Mary’s relationships with God, family, friends and neighbours were her passion.  She fully embraced her life as the expression of God’s goodness. She always declared her trust in the Lord in every situation. Mary Thielmann did not complain or criticize, but expressed love and blessing to all. This gift of love is her legacy to her family and all who knew her.

When Mary was asked by a granddaughter to write a legacy letter, she wrote this note by hand and signed it:

We have a great God. God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ, God the Holy Spirit. My prayer and wish is that all our descendants would love God, obey God and serve God.
Love,
Grandma Mary Thielmann

This prayer includes and will extend beyond the family she now leaves behind: Marv(Heather), Bruno(Sharon), Al(Deb), Marianne(Bruce) Konrad, Evy(Steve) Klassen, 17 grandchildren + 11 grandchildren-in-love, 22 great- grandchildren plus 3 on the way.

She also leaves behind her sister Erna Hildebrand, and brother Henry(Janet) Hildebrandt and her beloved nieces and nephews.
​
A garden memorial will be held in Mt. Lehman for the family on Saturday afternoon, May 30th, 2020, with the burial following at Maclure Road Mennonite Cemetery in Abbotsford.

William John Mast (Bill) born August 6, 1935 passed away May 11, 2020 of natural causes. Bill was born in Vancouver and raised in Wells by William Sr. and Margaret (nee Percival) Mast with his brother Ron. Bill enjoyed the outdoors and loved the warmth of the sun. He had many long- term friends (the annual Kinsmen Picnic was always a joy) and new friends as he was a very warm and caring person. He worked many jobs in his young life and enjoyed the time he spent with the Salmon Commission. After developing epilepsy he needed to work closer to home and joined the Liquor Distribution Branch where he stayed for over 30 years. He married Eleanore Lorraine Robson (nee:
Nordstrand) and took on her children, Mark and Holly, as his own. His daughter Jennifer came along and was the light of his life. Bill, Eleanore and the kids always had many pets and even bred Ocicats. The family also fostered many children over the 25 years that they were foster parents. This was difficult and sometimes rewarding work. Bill, surprisingly, survived 11 years since Eleanore’s death and missed her terribly. He also is survived by his grandchildren Amanda, Cameron, Carson and Connor and his great grand children, Tienna and Arianna.
​
The ability to stay home until the end was important to Bill. He and the family would like to thank the following people: Jane, from Home Instead for her friendship and kind and loving care for the past years, the warmandcapablesta attheMedicine Shoppe, Dr. Andres Bredenkamp, Barb and Denise who went above and beyond medical care and treated Bill like a good friend. Bill had complicated medical needs and it took a team to keep him home. Come Share Society, Fraser Health Home Care and his daughter Holly rounded out the team. Bill was happy and well cared for until the end of his time here.

Those we love never really leave us, they live on in the joy and warmth they brought into our lives. Bill was a good man and will be missed by those
who knew and loved him.

The family requests no flowers. If you are so inclined a donation to one of Bill’s favorite charities would be appreciated: White Rock South Surrey Food Bank, Canadian Cancer Society or TB Vets.

To contact family please e-mail billmast84@gmail.com to find out about a future service.

Rachel Folster or “Rae” and lovingly known as “Mama” to many, passed away early Monday, March 30th, 2020 at home, exactly as she had wanted. She leaves behind the pride and joy of her life, her four children: Christine, Linda, Sandra and David, her 13 grandchildren Jason, Cameron, Alexis, Mitchell, Samantha, Sydney, Katherine, Daniel, Adam, Maya and Noah, and her sisters Margaret, Yvonne, Rose and Sally. She is predeceased by her sisters Janet and Tilly and her grandchild, Shoshana.
​
Rachel “Shayla” Lilian Cohen, the middle child of seven girls, was born April 27, 1933 in Cairo, Egypt  to Shehata and Zakea Cohen and emigrated to Eastern Canada at the age of 24.
​
Rae was a remarkable human being, with a bright smile emphasized by her trademark lipstick, a natural charisma and approachability that caused both women and men, young and old, friends and strangers, to gravitate toward her, and an elegant and vibrant sense of style. She was a strong, kind-hearted, gentle, witty, curious and intelligent woman with a grateful heart and an enormous capacity for loving others. The latter being her special gift.
 
With just a grade two education she taught herself shorthand and to type more than 100 words a minute and we would ask her to type for us just so we could watch how fast she was!  Highly competent and possessing a strong work ethic, Rae was always highly respected in the workplace.  After moving to British Columbia Canada, she secured a position at United Way of the Lower Mainland where she served as an advocate for her community both professionally and personally, while single-handedly raising her children. 
 
Upon retiring, Rae busied herself with gardening and spoiling her grandchildren. She loved to learn and was part of writing and public speaking groups, she volunteered on various strata councils and was an active and dedicated member of St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church.
 
The family would like to extend special thanks to Andrea Folster for regularly checking in on Mom and weekly visits with grandchildren, dedicated caregivers Leila Reshid, Richard Moreau, Kailey Henderson, Kelsey Friesen, her health care team Dr. Meera Anand, Loretta Melonson, Greg and Jennifer Bay and Cindy Gilray, her niece Carol Lange, Belinda van der Zweep, Owen Barclay, Carmen and Amila Attara, Karen Tyrell, Jackie Green, Lynn LaRose, the Vancouver Thunderbird Chorus and Second Inversion Quartet, The Jammers, especially Ray, Bud, Gordon, Mary, Gloria, Daniel and Cindy, and so many others who enriched Mom’s life and allowed her to enrich theirs. 

With heartfelt gratitude, we also wish to thank the people of St. Herman’s, Holy Nativity and St. John of Shanghai parishes, who’ve prayed faithfully for Mom throughout her 13 year battle with Alzheimer’s both in services and at home, as well as visited, forming bonds of friendship with Rae and looking beyond the symptoms of her illness to the extraordinary and whole person inside. In particular Father Lawrence Farley, Father Justin Hewlett, Father Richard Rene, Deacon Zacchaeus and Julia Green, Krista Ganes, Christa Price, Sid Ketel, Tammy Armstrong, Deanna Chattaway, Sister Angelina, Monica Olteanu, Christina Cribb, Herman Campbell, Maria Campbell, Susan Stavrakis, Kai and Theresia Lerche, Dr. Ed Hartley and Svitlana Gryshchenko.
 
Rae’s funeral service will be held at St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church at 7221 - 198B Street in Langley on Wednesday April 1, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.  Private burial of remains to follow at a later date in the Heritage Gardens Cemetery, 19082 16 Ave, Surrey, BC.
 
May her memory be eternal.

A live stream of the funeral can be viewed at 
​www.facebook.com/576877919138611/videos/2772819842753028

Mr. Exarchou lived a very full life reaching the age of 95. He passed from this life earlier this week and leaves behind his wife Emigdia to mourn him.

A Catholic graveside committal service will be officiated by Father Paul and take place on March 31, 2020 at 2:30pm in Heritage Gardens Cemetery, 19082 16 Ave, Surrey, B.C.

 1986 – 2020 
With deepest sorrow we announce the passing of Ryan Marshall on March 7, 2020. Ryan is survived by his loving fiancée Amanda Radford, parents Janet (Peter) and Scott, sister Tara (Steven), extended family, and many great friends and coworkers.

Ryan was a one-of-a-kind gentleman who adored his fiancée and their little pup Bailey-boops. He loved to spoil his two girls. 

An electrician by trade, he enjoyed helping his loved ones with various home improvements. Home Depot was his happy place, and the KMS flyer was his reading material of choice. 

Artistic and creative, Ryan tried his hand at ballroom dancing, jewellery making, cake decorating, ceramics, and arduino (amazing light displays). He loved all kinds of music from classical to grunge, especially the Beatles, and felt a special connection to Ringo.

Ryan travelled to many places around the world. A highlight was visiting Denmark to celebrate his heritage, meet relatives, and sample all the good Danish beers.

Ryan will be remembered for his unique sense of humor, combining shock value, obscure movie quotes, and goofiness. This made him a favourite with kids, except when he scared them by dressing up as Santa.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. To be notified of the details, please email ryanjm.memorial@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the BCSPCA.​

On Sunday, March 15, 2020, our loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Dimitra, passed away at the age of 93.

Dimitra was born in Athens, Greece on October 26, 1926. She grew up in an orphanage where she made lifelong friends. It was during the time in the orphanage that she had decided she, herself wanted to help children and she worked towards becoming a pediatric nurse. This caring nature and love for children was evident to all that were blessed with her presence, except for the kids that were blessed with a needle in the arm.

Dimitra met the love of her life Apostolos Neochoritis in 1949 and they married in December of 1955. Together they had three children, Eleni, Dimitri, and Vasiliki. Dimitra and Apostolos opened a little tavern in Votanikos, Athens where they could spend time with their friends, dance on tables, and enjoy life.

Dimitra moved to Canada with her granddaughter Dimitra in 1997 to join her daughter Eleni and her family. Dimitra lived her remaining years in Canada where she enjoyed her artwork, knitting, playing bingo, and watching all her Greek soap operas.

Dimitra was preceded in death by her husband Apostolos, and her children Dimitri and Vasiliki. She is survived by her daughter Eleni, her grandchildren Panagiotis (Eleni), Dimitra (Larry) and Apostolos, her great-grandchildren Larry and Riley and her many nieces and nephews"

Her funeral will be held at Sts. Constatine and Helen Greek Orthodox church, 13181 96 Ave, Surrey, on Friday March 18, 2020 at 10:00am with Fr. Kostadinos Kaltsidis officiating. Burial to follow at Heritage Gardens Cemetery, 19082 16 Ave, Surrey, BC.

May her memory be eternal.

A video of the service can be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=650025605791728

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Merl on Monday of this week. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Saturday February 15, 2020 from 2:00pm - 6:00pm at the St. Andrews Heritage Church Hall, 22279 116 Ave, Maple Ridge. Merl will be returned to Nipawin, Saskatchewan for burial in the family plot in the Mabel Hill Cemetery. 

Born April 1st, 1960 and passed January 28th, 2020. Predeceased by his father Samuel Edgar and his mother, Irene Diane. Leaves to mourn his loving wife Diane of 36 years, his son Samuel James (Nikki), his daughter Sonia (Simon), his 4 grandchildren: Brooklynn, Cali, Austin, Angelina, many brother in-laws and sister in-laws.
 
A Celebration of Life will be held on February 15, 2020 at 1:00pm in the Aldergrove Legion, 26607 Fraser Hwy, Aldergrove, BC V4W 3L1

Into your hands do we commend the soul of the departed Theresa, who has left this life on January 10, 2020. She leaves behind many to mourn her, but especially her husband, Alan, and  her parents, Don Smyth and Margaret (Ron) Brownsberger.

Theresa will be remembered with an evening prayer service starting at 7 pm on Thursday, January 16, 2020, and with a funeral at 10 am on Friday, January 17, 2020. Both will be held at Eastern Catholic Church, 8700 Railway Ave, Richmond, B.C. Interment will follow at Gardens of Gethsemani, 15694 32 Ave, Surrey, B.C., with reception details to be confirmed. 

It is with heavy hearts that we share that Theresa has left this world to start her journey to the next. A loss made more heavy   being so close to that of her son Louis. She leaves behind her beloved partner, children, grandchildren,  aunties, uncles, and extended family and the Musqueam, Nanaimo and other communities to mourn her.

An evening service will be held at 7pm on Friday January 10 with a Celebration of life held at 9am on Saturday January 11. Both will occur at the Musqueam Community Center, 6777 Salish Drive, Vancouver (Musqueam Reserve). Interment will follow on Monday January 13 at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens,  2347 Cedar Rd, Nanaimo. 

May she be carried on Eagles Wings...

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Mark Worbeck on January 2nd, 2020.

A Winnipeg native, Mark found his true home on the west coast while pursing his life-long passion for the automobile. In the early 1990s, he obtained a sales position with Richmond Lexus and went on to become General Manager for many of his 20+ years with the company.

Mark’s compassionate, loving and caring nature will be forever cherished by Judith, his wife of nearly 50 years, his daughter Kim, his son Clayton, his daughter-in-law Emma, and his beautiful grandchildren Vivienne and Ash.

A Funeral service for Mark will be held on Saturday January 11 at 10 am at Peninsula United Church, 2756  127 Street, Surrey, followed by internment at Heritage Gardens Cemetery, 19082 16 Ave, Surrey,  and a Celebration of Life at Morgan Creek Golf Course, 3500 Morgan Creek Way, Surrey.

Flowers kindly declined, and in lieu, donations may be made to the Irene Thomas Hospice Society at https://deltahospice.org/donation-options/​