Obituary of Berdine Luella Fediw

Berdine Luella Fediw

(nee Johnson/Nielsen)

October 25, 1940 – May 5, 2025

Berdine Fediw of Grande Prairie, AB formerly of Fort Nelson, BC passed away on May 5, 2025, at home at the age of 84 years, after a short battle with lung cancer.

Berdine “Deeny” to her family, was born in Thorsby, AB. The first five years of her life, she was raised with help from her grandma (Lula Johnson) on the family farm at Telfordville, AB. She attended school in Dawson Creek, BC, Fort Nelson, BC and graduated in Wetaskiwin, AB. She then continued her education in Edmonton, AB with courses for her lifetime career in office administration, bookkeeping and taxes.

Berdine moved back to Fort Nelson, where she met and married her first husband Mike Fediw, on May 20, 1960. Berdine had suffered a tubal pregnancy which prompted her to adopt in 1966. She then received an exciting call on her birthday, October 25, 1966, which announced the upcoming arrival of a beautiful baby girl. On November 3, 1966, after a long drive to Vancouver, BC, they welcomed Tazmalee, who would become the light of her life. In 1972, Berdine and Mike got divorced. Berdine was a strong woman, she persevered being a single divorced mother when this was not an exceptional situation at the time. Her first marriage was a difficult one and not without everlasting scars which undoubtedly gave her survivor instincts.

Berdine and Don met working in the same place. Her in the office and Don as a mechanic at Tompkins Truck Stop. In June of 1978 Don was transferred to Grande Prairie with Tompkins Contracting LTD. Berdine was a hard worker, only retiring a few years ago. She worked for many years at the Grande Prairie Regional College and Pomeroy Inn & Suites and the Holloway Lodging. Berdine always took great pride in her appearance, dressing to the nines with long painted nails and putting her best foot forward in high heels. She will be most remembered for her high heels and sport cars, her Dodge Charger and Ford Mustang.

Berdine enjoyed spending time at their cabin at the Lake named “The cozy shack”. She was an avid reader of romance novels, being her go-to, and she loved flowers, especially white lilies.

Berdine is survived by her long term partner in life of 51 years, Don Pelsey, her daughter Tazmalee Wolfe, grandchildren, Graydon Wolfe, Megan (Anthony) Binga, Cole Wolfe, great grandchildren, Jazmin Wolfe, Kendrick Binga, Cameron Binga, stepdaughter, Tracey (Derek) Hirtle, step-grandsons, Alex and Quinn Hirtle, sisters, Shirley Keays, Dolly (Wilf) Beaudry, Diane Munday, sister-in-law, Diane Aitken, nephews, Neil, Kyle, Jason, Greg, Lincoln, niece’s, Susan Aitken, Rowan, Jennifer and Susan.

She is predeceased by her stepdad, Svend Nielsen, brother-in-law, Bob Keays, son-in-law, Dennis Wolfe, brother, Vernon Nielsen, mother-in-law, Helen Pelsey, brother-in-law, Dic Munday and mother Hilda Nielsen.

There will be no service, instead a private memorial will be held at a later date at her favorite place. In lieu of flowers please donate to a charity of your choice or the  Canadian Cancer Society  AB/NWT - www.cancer.ca   which Don has chosen.