March 26, 1924 - July 22, 2020
The family of Emilyne Paulson are sad to announce her passing in Noric House at the age of 96 years.
She leaves behind her son, David (Linda); her daughter, Michelle (Dean); four grandchildren, Jeffrey, Amanda, Megan and Cameron; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband David in 2014, to whom she had been married for 63 years; and her three younger brothers, Stan, Ed and Myron.
The daughter of Katherine and Albert Molchan, Mom and her three brothers were born and raised near Vegreville, Alberta. As a young girl living on a farm, she showed an early love for plants, animals, sports, music and dancing, all of which would grow into life-long passions.
Times were tough for the family during the Great Depression and the piano purchased by her father was a special gift. With only one year's lessons she was able to become a very proficient player, a skill which she was determined to pass on to her children. Her love of playing piano lasted throughout her long life.
Em attended Olds College in 1942 to obtain her diploma in the "Two for One" program (cooking and housemaking). She obviously excelled, catching the eye of a young man at a skating rink in Edmonton, and a courtship began.
Dave and Em were married in Edmonton in 1951, taking Dave's grandmother along with them on their honeymoon trip to Victoria! Married life began on an acreage near White Mud Creek in a house they built themselves, on weekends and after work. Eight years and two children later, they moved to Vernon to pursue the next chapter in their lives, operating Valley Electric from 1959 until the late 1970's.
Living in homes they built in Beachcomber Bay and Okanagan Landing, the lake was always in their lives. Summers were filled with swimming, boating, and water skiing, with Mom cooking and baking for visiting friends and relatives, as well as for neighbours.
Fresh flowers, veggies, and fruit from her beautiful garden were always on the table. There was never just one dessert, as treats continuously emerged from her fridge. Social afternoons with coffee, cake and a game of bocce occurred regularly.
Winters were busy with skiing, skating, dancing, bridge parties and even included ski trips to the US and Europe with their many friends.
As a Silver Star pioneer, Em loved to ski, taking her last run at age 89 down Christmas Bowl. She gained notoriety as the first female member of the team that won the inaugural "Over the Hill Downhill" race.
Always unselfish and the champion for the underdog, Mom's goal was to see her family and friends happy. She had a strong sense of right and wrong and never held back on sharing her opinions. Her heart was open to those less fortunate.
In respecting Em's wishes, she was cremated and a celebration of her life will be held at a future date at her lakefront home. The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the nurses and staff at Noric House for the wonderful care they gave Mom over the past eighteen months.
Cremation arrangements were made with Bethel Funeral Chapel Ltd., 5605-27th Street, Vernon, B.C. V1T 8Z5
250-542-1187