November 24, 1920 – May 5, 2017
Chesley, also known affectionately as “Ches” and “Bill”, passed away peacefully in Vernon, BC, in her 97th year, in the company of family members and the wonderful staff of the Gateby Care Center. She was born in Salmon Arm, BC to her pioneering parents Cyril and Norah Black, and spent her childhood in Vancouver and West Vancouver. She and her late husband Al raised their five children in West Vancouver and Surrey. Ches spent many happy years in Langley after
Al died, where she was an active community volunteer, and was honored in 2003 with the Eric Flowerdew Volunteer of the Year Award by the Township of Langley. She was featured in the United Way of the Lower Mainland’s 2001 campaign, which focused on the importance of seniors in our communities. Ches moved to Vernon in 2004, and lived happily in her own apartment and later at Orchard Valley Retirement Residence. After moving to Vernon, Chesley was an active member of the Schubert Centre for Seniors, and her life was enriched by the company of her best friend, Bill Nystrom.
Ches is survived by and will be greatly missed by her younger sister Monica, her five children: Louise (John), Dave (Laurie), Tom (Cheryl), Janice, and Ed (Pam); ten grandchildren: Mike, Colin, Brad, Jeff, Justin, Francine, Courtney, Andrew, Grace, Lisa (deceased) and Matthew; and 16 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Chesley’s life will be held on a date to be announced at the Schubert Centre in Vernon. Interment will be at the Capilano Cemetery in West Vancouver, which is close to the five-acre farm that the family owned in the 1930’s. You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family’s on-line obituary @ www.MyAlternatives.ca.
Arrangements entrusted to ALTERNATIVES FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES ® Vernon 250-558-0866 & Armstrong 250-546-7237