A10 www.trailtimes.ca
Tuesday, October 2, 2012 Trail Times
PEOPLE BARBARA ANN SCOTT
OBITUARIES
Olympic champion was ‘Canada’s sweetheart’
AITKEN, MARGARET WILSON — April 19, 1925 – September 28, 2012. Meg passed on as she lived, quietly and peacefully, at her home of the past 9 years with her extended family at Poplar Ridge. She was born in Innerleithen, Scotland, immigrated to Canada in the mid fifties where she married Bert Aitken in 1958, at Trail. They lived in Warfield for over forty years, making several trips to Scotland. Meg was predeceased by her beloved husband, Bert; her parents Jean and Jim Scott; aunts, uncles, cousins in Canada and Scotland. She is survived by cousins in Innerleithen, May Fraser and family and Nan Scott, formerly from Australia; also, Bert’s nieces and families in England; locally, cousin and friend Laura Peat Lucin and family and Margaret Jeffels, friend and dedicated visitor. A warmest thank-you to doctors, nurses, care aides and all the staff and volunteers at Poplar for their wonderful care. There will be no memorial service by request but Meg will be in our hearts always. Also, a heartfelt thanks to Al Grywacheski and staff at Alternatives Funeral and Cremation services for their caring, compassionate help at this time. If you wish, donations may be made in Meg’s memory to the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital Foundation (for Poplar Ridge) 1200 Hospital Bench Road; Trail, B.C. V1R 4M1 and would be appreciated. *** BLAIHUT, KURTIS STEPHEN — October 28, 1939 – August 11, 2012. “If music be the food of love, play on. Give me excess of it.” - Twelfth Night It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved brother and uncle. Kurtis was born in Trail, BC to Lorna and Charles Blaihut. He was educated in Trail and later at the University of Victoria, earning a degree in teaching. He taught at Fruitvale Elementary School for 25 years and Montrose School for 10 years, retiring at the age of 58. He was a born teacher and a mentor to many. He leaves to mourn him; his sisters Sandra Colangeli and Wendy McLaughlin, nieces; Lisa (Gord) Douglas, Tracy McLaughlin (Denis), Gianna Colangeli (Daryl), nephew; Todd McLaughlin (Amy), and great niece Caylee. Kurtis is also survived by his cousins Butch (Ena) Boutry and family, Sheila Ewings and family, Mary-Anne, Janet and Elizabeth and family, Arlene (John) Sorenson and family. He was predeceased by his three beloved brothers-in-law, Lino Colangeli, Larry McLaughlin and Lonnie Plasko whom he well loved. Kurtis had a wonderful “circle of friends” who were so very good to us all. Laurie, Dick, Donna, Marilyn, Barb, Carol, Audrey, Rob and Helen-to name a few. His school friends Don (Marlene) Recchi and George (Donna) Arneson, who stayed in touch until the very end-you are in our hearts forever. Kurtis’ Vancouver friends, too numerous to mention, but love and thanks to you all. Other people in Trail have won the Met Opera Quiz but the passing of Kurtis in August marked a milestone in this city’s long history with the arts. Drama, vocal, ballet and film performances, now viewed at the Royal Theatre and the Charles Bailey Auditorium have lost a loyal and knowledgeable patron. Teaching and encouraging others to understand the classics was eagerly undertaken by Kurtis. His presence and knowledge will be sorely missed. A Celebration of Kurtis’ life will be held in the Archives Room of the Colombo Lodge on Rossland Avenue, Trail on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 7:00 pm. We look forward to seeing you all to celebrate his life. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to Sanctuary or a charity of your choice. You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family’s online register at www.myalternatives.ca “My tongue is weary when my legs are too. I bid you all good-night” ~ Henry V, William Shakespeare.
THE CANADIAN PRESS She was Canada’s Sweetheart. Barbara Ann Scott, the only Canadian to win the Olympic women’s figure skating gold medal, died Sunday at the age of 84. She passed at her Amelia Island, Fla., home with her husband Tom King by her side. The cause of death is not known. “Barbara Ann set the standard for generations of female athletes and women skaters who came after her,” said Skate Canada president Benoit Lavoie in a statement. “The discipline and focus that she learned early in her career were the foundation of her success, as Canadian, North American, European, World and Olympic Champion.” The Barbara Ann Scott Doll, made after her 1948 Winter Games triumph at St. Moritz, Switzerland, remains a prized possession of admirers and collectors alike. She was honorary chair of the 2006 world championships in Calgary and her
THE CANADIAN PRESS/JONATHAN HAYWARD
Canadian figure skating legend Barbara Ann Scott, the only Canadian to win the Olympic women’s figure skating gold medal, died Sunday at the age of 84. autograph was the most coveted by fans of the sport during her visit. “She remained so connected to the sport, and to Canada after her own career was over,” said Lavoie. “Every time she attended our events, she inspired our skaters and encouraged them to pursue their dreams. “We extend our sincere sympathy to her husband
Tom, her family, and her friends. She will be sadly missed by the international skating community and by her many fans worldwide.” Her married name was Mrs. Thomas Van Dyke King, but most simply called her Barbara Ann. She was a role model for young Canadian women in the late 1940s and early 1950s. She
won the admiration of Canadians with her beauty and grace, on and off the ice, and she dazzled the world. Scott won the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada’s top athlete in 1945, 1947 and 1948. She was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1955 and the Canadian Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1991. She became an officer of the Order of Canada in 1991, was inducted into the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and was named to Canada’s Walk of Fame in 1998. In 2009, she carried the Olympic torch into the House of Commons on its journey to Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Games. She appeared in television commercials, authored two books, ran a beauty salon for a time, was a director of a summer theatre. She remained involved in figure skating as a judge at competitions and often returned to Canada as an honoured guest at sport and charity events.
RAYLENE RANKIN
Singer was part of Nova Scotia’s musical family THE CANADIAN PRESS HALIFAX - Raylene Rankin of the internationally acclaimed Nova Scotia musical group The Rankin Family died Sunday after losing her fight with cancer. She was 52. Marlene Palmer, group’s tour publicist, said Rankin’s sister confirmed the death. Rankin and her four siblings - John Morris, Jimmy, Cookie and Heather - formed the group more than 20 years ago and are credited with taking Cape Breton Celtic music to the mainstream. In a statement provided by Palmer, Heather Rankin said her sister fought “a very long and courageous battle with grace and dignity and was an inspiration.” “Throughout her struggle with cancer she never ceased to show her
concern for her friends and family,” she said. “Right up until her last hours of life she was still expressing concern for others. She worried for all of her family and friends, a beautiful lady indeed.” Heather Rankin described her sister as generous and kind hearted. “She was a little bit older and she took on the role of protector of the younger members of her clan,” she said. “She was a very bright lady and a strong leader and I often looked to her for guidance and I will have a very large void in my life now that she is gone.” Members of Canada’s music community were mourning Raylene Rankin’s death on Sunday. Fellow Cape Breton
singer Rita MacNeil said she was devastated when she heard the news. “I’ve known Raylene a long time. We have lost a great musician and a wonderful person,” MacNeil said in a statement. “It’s a lasting legacy. An inspiration to all women.” Singer Anne Murray added that Rankin will “live on through her music.” “It is a sad loss of a fine talent from a family who has endured so much tragedy already,” she said in a statement. In 2000, John Morris Rankin died when his truck plunged into the icy Gulf of St. Lawrence near Margaree Harbour, N.S. He was 40. Federal Heritage Minister James Moore offered his condolences to Raylene Rankin’s family and friends on Sunday. “Her musical talent
charmed the nation,” he said in a statement which highlighted the many Canadian music awards won by The Rankin Family. Father Angus Morris of St. Mary’s Parish in Mabou, N.S., said Rankin is survived by her husband Colin Anderson and her son Alexander. Rankin grew up in the close-knit community of Mabou with her mother Kathleen, her father Alexander and 12 siblings, The Rankin Family website said. The family band first formed under the name The Rankins and won a host of awards over a 10 years period, the website said. In 1999, the group went their separate ways, with many members pursuing solo careers, it said. But in 2007, the four siblings reunited to form The Rankin Family.
Are you a senior who just needs a little help? We are now accepting new clients Dementia / Alzheimer clients welcome
Call April Cashman 250-368-6838 www.MyAlternatives.ca
Serving Rossland Warfield Trail Montrose & Fruitvale