Selma was born on August 8th, 1928 in Volhynia, Poland and passed away in the Vernon Jubilee Hospital on November 10th, 2020 at the age of 92 years, after a brief illness.
Selma was preceded in death by her father, Adolf in Poland; her mother, Julianna; her loving husband, Jacob of almost 56 years; one brother and sister-in-law, Ervin (Laura); and two sisters, Hertha and Adele.
She will be lovingly remembered by two sons, Ken (Rose-Marie) and Glen; three daughters, Barbara, Darleen-Natashia and Jane (Chris); thirteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; four brothers, Ed (Carol), Paul (Sandra), Helmut (Stella) and Alfred (Marilyn); one brother-in-law, Peter and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Selma was the second oldest of eight children. She grew up in Poland until the age of sixteen, when her family was forced to flee to Germany during the Second World War. She lived there with her family on a modest farm for the remainder of the war and a few years after.
In 1949, Selma and her family made the journey to Canada to join extended family following a flood that destroyed most of their farm. Being sponsored by an uncle who had immigrated to Canada several years prior, the family set sail from Sweden landing in Halifax.
Selma and her family made their way out west by train, finally settling in Lumby. Shortly after her arrival in Lumby, Selma and her sisters worked to pay off the fare as the rest of the siblings enrolled in school in their new homeland.
Gaining independence, the three sisters soon ventured from the farm to look for work. Selma obtained work at the Sutherland Arm Hotel (Lakeside Inn) and this is where she met Jacob Brown whom she married on May 19th, 1951. Selma and Jacob enjoyed a rich and beautiful union of 55 years.
Selma and Jacob settled into farm life in Lumby, raising their five children. Primarily a homemaker, Selma was no stranger to hard work: caring for livestock, haying, gardening, preparing preserves, hosting family gatherings and more...she did it all.
Here, they lived for twenty-three years before moving to Lavington and later to Vernon.
Selma loved her family deeply and cared for all. She meant a great deal to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to whom she was affectionately known as Oma.
Selma was well known for her wonderful kitchen creations. Nothing could beat the smell of Selma's fresh baked cinnamon buns, hand dipped spudnuts or kuchen. Selma was a devout Christian and a long time member of the Church of God. She found community in expressing her faith and love in her Lord Jesus Christ.
Respecting the COVID-19 restrictions in regards to public gatherings, a private Graveside Service took place at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery on Thursday, November 19th, 2020 at 1:30 pm followed by a Memorial Service at the Church of God with Pastor Gary Glanz officiating.
As an expression of sympathy, those who wish to do so may send donations in memory of Selma to the B.C. Heart & Stroke Foundation, #4-1551 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 9M9.
Those wishing to send messages of condolence to the Brown family may do so by forwarding them to bethelchapel@uniserve.com
We, Selma's family would like to thank the staff at Heron Grove (Assisted Living Unit) for their kind and considerate care of Selma over the years, Dr. Jeanette Henley, the Community Care nursing staff and all the doctors and nurses involved in her care during her various transitions.
Funeral arrangements were made with
Bethel Funeral Chapel Ltd., 5605-27th Street, Vernon, B.C. V1T 8Z5
250-542-1187
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