Obituary of Iva MacKenzie

Obituary IVA BEALUH MACKENZIEIva Beulah MacKenzie was born in Central Butte, Sask. on August20, 1917. She was the eldest of three children a sister,Iowne,deceased and a brother Marvin who lives in Fort St.John. They moved from Saskatchewan to a homestead in the NorthPine Area. Iva and her siblings made up three of the tenchildren required to open up the first one room schoolhouse atNorth Pine.Iva married Norman MacKenzie on November 3rd 1937 in Fort StJohn and started a homestead at Rose Prairie. They raised fourChildren, Ronald, Sharon, Carol and Penny.In the 1950s and the early 1960s time was taken away from farmingwhen they moved to Wonowon. Iva worked as a cook in oil rigCamps, her pies were the best around. She also cooked for guidesand outfitters in the mountains west of the Alaska Highway. Sheand her sister Iowne operated a small cafe in Wonowon for a fewyears and were known by the truckers and travellers of thehighway for their wonderful home cooked mealsAfter the children were grown she and Norman went back to the farm atRose Prairie. She always planted a garden big enough to feed halfthe country and spent many happy hours there and in her flower beds.Iva and Norman were happiest when they were spending their winters on the trapline, which they did for more than twenty five years. Their love of nature, the management of wildlife andthe general business of traditional trapping led to many years ofdedication to the BC Trappers Association where Iva, once againgave of her time and energy to make things run as smooth aspossible.Iva loved music and she played the mandolin, violin and harmonica. Shehad a beautiful voice and the family have wonderful memories ofher singing at home or in the car on trips to town. Iva loved todance and she was always on the dance floor, from the time themusic started until the very last dance.Her son, Ronald, passed away in 1967 and she then adopted his sonJoe and raised him as she did all her other children. In the late1970s her home welcomed Penny's son Jason, and this became hissecond home as Penny was working out in the bush most of the time.During summer vacations from school, "the farm" became a special placefor Joe, Jason and Sharons son Kevin. Many happy days and weekswere spent at Gradmas place. Can you imagine how many meals sheserved?Iva's husband Norman passed away in January 1995. She spentanother two years on the farm and continued with her largegarden and flower beds.In 1998 Iva sold the farm and moved to town to care for herstepfather Dave Jamieson. After Dave passed away she moved to thePeace Lutheran Seniors Complex. She again proceeded to "helpout". She spent two days a week looking after the solarium,which was a work of love. She planted flower beds by the walks inthe front of the building. She was always busy, she helped withlunchs, called bingo, organized exercises and played a lot ofcards. She loved the apartments and the people that lived there... Iva was gentle, kind, and forgiving of all those she came incontact with. She never had a harsh word for anyone and alwayslooked for the good in everyone she met. She said that her mainpurpose in life was to help others and she did this with greatWillingness and grace. She "mothered" from the time she wastwelve years old, looking after her brother and sister after theymoved to North Pine.Iva is pre deceased by her husband Norman, parents Walter Sandryand Pearl Jamieson, son Ronald, daughter Penny, grandchildrenGerald and Corrine, Sister Iowne, and Iowne's children Billy andDiane.Iva is survived by her brother Marvin Sandry, Daughters SharonGreen and Carol (Doug) Busat. Eight grandchildren, eightGreat grandchildren and two great,great grandchildren, as well asmany nieces and nephews.Her life was our gift, her death our loss. She will alwaysremain in the hearts and minds of those who remain. Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Iva MacKenzie