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Thursday, March 22, 2012 Trail Daily Times
PEOPLE OBITUARIES DI BELLA (NEE PIPPI), IDA “EDI” MARIANNE — Family and friends mourn the sudden passing of Ida “Edi” Marianne Di Bella (nee Pippi), daughter of Mario (Deceased, 1936) Pippi and “Annie” (Deceased, 2000) D’Aquino. She is survived by two sons, R. C. (Tino) Di Bella (Denise, Deceased), Mario Di Bella (Lorraine), five grandchildren, (Jacob, Beth, Cara, Adam & Aimee), one brother, Thomas D’Aquino (Susan), sister-in-law, Alice Pippi (Emilio, Deceased), 2 nieces (Marianne & Lynn), 1 nephew (Mario) and many cousins. Born in Trail, BC, on February 22, 1928 and died in Trail on March 15, 2012. Edi moved to Nelson in her late teens and carried out a successful business career in Nelson, BC, later retiring to Trail to care for her mother and her aunt, Lida Petroni. Prayers will be held at the Cathedral of Mary Immaculate, 813 Ward Street, Nelson, BC, on Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 7:00pm. Funeral mass will take place at the Cathedral of Mary Immaculate on Friday, March 23, 2012 at 11:00am, Father Jim Ratcliffe as Celebrant. Private interment will follow at the Nelson Memorial Park Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, family and friends may make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society (1-800-667-37420) or the BC Cancer Foundation (1-800-906-2873). Online condolences may be expressed at www.thompsonfs.ca. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Thompson Funeral Service Ltd.
Man in Motion tour stops in Prince George Anniversary tour comes to Kootenays in April BY ALLAN WISHART Prince George Free Press
Rick Hansen has a lot of fond memories of Prince George. The Man in Motion told a large crowd at the Civic Plaza on Monday evening about one of them. “When I was learning to live with my disability,” he said, “I decided I wanted to be the world champion in the wheelchair marathon. So a friend and I decided to come up here to see if we could do it. “Terry Fox and I came here to participate in the Prince George to Boston Marathon, and we had the chance to live our dreams.” On the 25th anniversary of his around-the-world wheelchair tour, Hansen returned to Prince George and talked about how much had changed since then. “We’ve been working for the past 25 years to build a community together, an inclusive world. Now, we this celebration, that Many in Motion has transformed Man in Motion into a national dream.” Local Paralympian Paul Jalbert was with Hansen on the stage at the Civic Plaza, after being the
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Actor signs up for space trip
SALT LAKE CITY - A 101-year-old U.S. woman who ushered in her birthday with a tandem paraglide ride last year is soaring into the record books Tuesday. Great-great grandmother Mary Hardison has been officially recognized as the “Oldest Female to Paraglide Tandem” by Guinness World Records. She supplanted a 100-yearold woman from Cyprus who took her flight in 2007. Hardison flew with an instructor on Sept. 1, 2011, while four generations of her family watched and cheered. The flight went smoothly and even included a few tricks that Hardison encouraged. Hardison said she wanted to paraglide because her 75-year-old son began doing it as a hobby. “I didn’t want him to get too far ahead of me, so I decided that I’d go too,” she said.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
last medal-bearer for the Prince George portion of the anniversary relay. “Paul,” Hansen said, “I couldn’t think of a better End of Day participant than you. You’ve inspired others by taking one step at a time on your journey.” After the official ceremony, Hansen spoke about the changes he has seen in how disabled people work in their communities. “The biggest difference is how people respond to people with disabilities. Now, those people are leading, they’re taking a major role in their communities.” After 25 years, Hansen says it’s been great to see old and new faces on the Canadian tour. “It’s unbelievable to see old friends again, but it’s just as great to be introduced to a new generation of young people who say they’ve been inspired by my story.” As Hansen finished his interview, the song Man in Motion could be heard over the music system at the plaza. Did he ever grow tired of hearing that song, made a hit by John Parr? A huge grin came over his face. “I never get tired of it. I think it’s because every time I hear it, it brings back tons of memories. I flip back in my mind to the images of the first tour.”
(AP PHOTO/PAT WELLENBACH)
Allie Ward, 15, from Prince Edward Island, enjoys the warm sun while skiing in unusual weather for this time of year at Sunday River in Newry, Maine, on Wednesday.
Centenarian lands in record book
ASHTON KUTCHER
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Richard Branson said Monday his venture to launch paying tourists into space has netted its 500th customer, and it’s none other than Ashton Kutcher. The British billionaire made the announcement on his blog, saying he gave the actor a quick call to congratulate him. “He is as thrilled as we are at the prospect of being among the first to cross the final frontier (and back!) with us and to experience the magic of space for himself,” Branson wrote. A representative for Kutcher did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Kutcher is among dozens of Hollywood types, international entrepreneurs, scientists, space buffs and others who have made deposits to be among the first to reach the edge of the Earth on Branson’s Virgin Galactic spaceline. Branson has said the aim is to make space travel safe and affordable and not just for those who can afford the current $200,000 ticket.
SPRING SKIING
RICK HANSEN
Fear never entered the equation for Hardison, who previously rode all of the adult rides at Disneyland to celebrate her 90th birthday. Hardison said she was shocked to learn her flight had become a world record. “To me, I was just going on a little ride,” she said. “I had no idea I’d break a record.” Hardison said her active lifestyle has already inspired others her age to pursue similar adventures. “Some people have said, ‘Well, if you can do that at your age, then there’s no need for me to just sit around,”’ she said. “My desire is for the elderly to keep on going. Do things as long as you are physically able. Be positive. Friends don’t like a grumpy person.” When Hardison decided to take the birthday leap, family members were concerned for her safety. After all, it was her first flight and she was the old-
(AP PHOTOS/KSL, JEREMY CASTELLANO)
101- year-old Mary Hardison of Ogden, Utah, front second from right, is photographed with her family. Guinness World Records says that Hardison of Ogden is officially the oldest female to paraglide tandem. est customer the paragliding company had ever taken into the air. “My first reaction was she was nuts,” said daughter-inlaw Bonnie Hardison. “But everyone is just so excited and
thinks this record is great.” As for any future flights, Mary Hardison, who spends her days quilting for charities, is just playing it by ear. “If the notion strikes, I’ll go again,” she said.
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