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 Edith Florence May Kitchen (nee Collins) 1918-2010 It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Edith Florence May Kitchen long-time resident of Dawson Creek, B.C. Edith passed peacefully in her sleep at home on September 29, 2010. She was 91 years of age. Born December 9, 1918 on the family homestead near Greenan, Saskatchewan, Edith was the fourth child of six children born to Harry and Mabel Collins. Later she moved with her older brothers, Walter, Charlie and Sid, and her younger sisters Edna and Merna to Rosetown , then Plato, Saskatchewan. In September 1934, the Collins family relocated to the South Peace near Rolla and later that year, the family moved to Dawson Creek. Edith finished her high school education at the old Dawson Creek Public School. She played basketball and softball, joined the CGIT and met her ‘one and only’, the boy next door, Norman Kitchen. In 1936, Edith and her sister Edna went to Edmonton by train where they attended the Marvel Beauty School and Alberta’s Business College while working for their board at the United Church Home. Returning to Dawson Creek, the sisters opened the ‘New Ray Beauty Shoppe’ and a public stenography business. Their shop was located upstairs in the W.O. Harper building at the corner of 102nd Avenue and 10th Street, where the Bank of Montreal is today. They often worked evenings as the electric power was only available evenings upon request. They were working at the shop the evening of the disastrous explosion of February 13, 1943. When dynamite stored across 10th Street exploded, clients ‘left in a frenzy’, hair curlers and all! Luckily no one was hurt. Edith married the love of her life, Norman Kitchen, in 1942 just before Norman left to serve four years in the Canadian Army seeing active duty in Europe. While Norman was away, Mom continued to ‘do hair’, play softball and joined the bowling league. After the sale of the beauty shop in 1944, she worked as bookkeeper for the Peace River Block News, published by her father-in-law Charles S. Kitchen. When Norman returned to civilian life, he rejoined his father at the newspaper later becoming the publisher. Edith worked alongside her husband until the business was sold in 1972. Edith had two children, daughter Joan and son Russell. In 1978, her first grandchild, Trenton Kitchen was born, followed by Ryan Mulholland and Jessica Kitchen. Edith had a strong sense of community. She taught Sunday school at the United Church; was a chartered member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Peace Chapter No. 58 (raising money for the Canadian Cancer Society; making cancer dressings); and was Guardian of Bethel #44, Job’s Daughters. She loved family times at the Moberly Lake cabin – camp fires, sunset cruises, hikes along the beach and in the woods. She loved to sing, dance, play crib, knit and quilt. Mom remained in the family home when Dad passed in 1994. She enjoyed wellness exercises, Monday lunches and cribbage offered at the Seniors Centre; the Happy Hoofers Walking Group and having coffee at the Dawson Co-op with friends and neighbours. As the years passed, Mom’s health deteriorated. She was unable to go out as she once had. To the end she loved to get a cup of coffee and go for a car ride. Mom desperately missed members of her family who had passed before. She was predeceased by her cherished husband of 52 years, Norman, parents Harry and Mabel Collins, brothers Walter (Madge) Collins, Charlie (Alice) Collins, Sid (Ethel) Collins and sister Edna (Jim) Reasbeck and brother-in-law Wayne Crouch; father and mother-in-law Charles (Florence) Kitchen, brothers and sisters-in-law Charles (Joan) Kitchen; Edna (Charles) Hutchison and Bea (Alex) Robertson, Ray Peterson. Edith is lovingly remembered by daughter Joan Mulholland; son Russell (Jamie); grandchildren Trenton (Britney), Ryan Mulholland and Jessica (Travis Hebert); sister Merna Crouch and numerous nephews, nieces and their families. A funeral service was held at South Peace United Church, Friday, October 8, 2010 at 3:00 pm officiated by Reverend Marilyn Carroll. Eulogy presented by Jessica Kitchen. Interment followed in the Dawson Creek City Cemetery. We would like to extend a special thank you to all family, friends, neighbours and caregivers. Each of you has been an important part of our Mom’s life. Her life was enriched by your kindness, support, friendship and love. For friends so wishing, expressions of sympathy in memory of Edith may be made by donation to: South Peace United Church 1300-104th Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 2J6; The Order of the Eastern Star (Dawson Creek Hospital Cancer Ward Fund) c/o #206-1111-90th Avenue, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 5A3; or the Heart & Stroke Foundation of British Columbia & Yukon P.O. Box 714, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4H7. |
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Dawson Creek: (250)
782-2577 Serving Fort St. John |
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