Edith Stepaniuk

Edith Janet Stepaniuk (née Violet), 79, of Coquitlam, BC passed away suddenly on January 12, 2019 at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, BC, due to unfortunate, unrelated complications that arose after a broken hip suffered in a fall a few days before. There were a number of family members at her side when she passed away.

Edith was born March 29, 1939 in Westlock, AB to Willis Franklin Violet and Jeanie Struthers Brown. She later moved to Edmonton, AB with her grandparents, Frank Earl & Edith Violet. She married Edward Koski in 1956 and they had daughters Valerie, Kathryn and Kerry. After Ed’s untimely death in 1959, Edith and her daughters moved to the Vancouver, BC area. She married Dennis Stepaniuk, having son Tracy and daughter Holly.

Edith was loved by her grandchildren Tara, David, Aurora, Matthew, Sandra, Lisa and Brianna, and her great-grandchildren Richard, Dakoda, Sayda, Kaden and Sierra.

She was also loved by her sister Diane, sons-in-law Terry, Stewart and Darren, daughter-in-law Tina, and extended family members that include George, Selma, Emma, Dale, Judy, Heather, May, Stacie, Art, Stella, Brenda, John, Anne, Marion, Tom, Gordon, Phil, Tanis, David, Heather, Michel, Claire, Francois, Louisa, Richard, Rick, Jackie, Donna and many others, both past and present.

Edith was predeceased by husband Ed, daughter Kerry and granddaughter Brianna.

While attending Jasper Place High School in Grade 9, she was awarded the Governor General’s Award for Academic Excellence. After high school Edith went to business school in Edmonton and became an accomplished executive secretary who was well-liked and well-regarded by her workmates over the years. She worked at Pacific Great Eastern Railway (later BC Rail) in Vancouver and North Vancouver for some 35 years, and continued to associate with some of her former workmates after her retirement in early 2000.

Mom, also known as Grandma and GG, was a tower of strength and stability to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was generous and had a dry wit, usually accompanied by a raised eyebrow, a hearty laugh, and a warm smile. She was a voracious reader and over time she read hundreds of books and novels. She travelled somewhat but appreciated her life in the Vancouver area and was content to spend her time there. She also had her share of trials, tribulations and tragedies but always remained strong and positive for her children and grandchildren.

She will be greatly missed…

In her honour there will be a Memorial Service on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 2:00pm at the Burquitlam Funeral Home, located at 625 North Road in Coquitlam, BC.