Obituary of Juanita Fiddler

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Juanita Fiddler, who passed away peacefully on November 14, 2023 in Fort St. John, BC.

Juanita was born on July 22, 1932 in Nelson, BC to Annie and Roy MacDonald.  She was a kind, caring and generous person who loved her family and music.   She raised 3 children together with her husband Ernest Gareau and was blessed with 4 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.   It brought her great joy to spend time with her family.  She had a mischievous sense of humour and her laugh was contagious.  Juanita was known for her beautiful singing voice and cut a record of the song “Danny Boy” at the tender age of 18.  Music was always present in her life.  She could play the bagpipes and was a graceful dancer who loved dancing to old-time music.  In her final years she could be found drumming at the table to the tune of whatever song her mind heard playing. 

Juanita was pre-deceased by her parents, her husband Ernest Albert Gareau, and her second husband Ernie Fiddler.

Juanita is survived by her son Ernest Gareau (Joanne), daughter Yvonne Dettling (Bobby), daughter Christine Aldridge (Kevin), grandchildren Alice, Amanda, Sean, and Bernadette, as well as great-grandchildren Kaleb, Liam, Rylan, Amaya, and Adrianna.  She will be missed by all who knew her.

The family would like to thank the staff of Peace Villa for their caring attention to our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother. 

Donations can be made in memory of Juanita to the Alzheimer’s Society of BC. Click here to donate

A private family service will be held at a later date.