Obituary of Aubrey Josephine McKenzie

(nee Kershaw)

1933 - 2013

Aubrey McKenzie, born May 20, 1933, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 19, 2013, at Kiwanis Care in North Vancouver.

She was born in Cranbrook, B.C., and raised in Fort Steele. She graduated as a registered nurse in 1954 and spent much of her nursing career at the Saint Mary's Hospital in New Westminster. In 1966 she completed a degree in Public Health at UBC. For many years she worked as a public health nurse at the Boundary Health Unit in Surrey, B.C., becoming passionately involved in such programs as sex education, drug awareness, bicycle safety and prenatal care. She was also influential in the campaign to eliminate smoking in public facilities.

She loved the East Kootenays, especially her childhood home of Fort Steele. In the 1970s she spent many hours interviewing resident old-timers in an effort to preserve their memories. In the course of her historical inquiries she became convinced that "Quinn Creek" should be known as "Queen Creek", after Jim Queen, an old-timer who had had his cabin on the creek for many years. She made her case to the federal government, and her efforts were eventually rewarded: today, "Quinn Creek" appears on the government's official topographic maps as "Quinn (Queen) Creek". She enjoyed spending time with her only grandchild, Karlee McKenzie. They shared a special bond and the relationship brought her a great deal of joy and happiness.

She was pre-deceased by her parents Alfred and Philemone Kershaw and her sister Berna; she is survived by her three children Michael (Lise), Bruce (Maria) and Susan, her granddaughter Karlee, her sister Chloe Perron (Paul), her nephews Peter Perron and Randy Perron (Louise), her great niece Carmen Perron and her aunt Marion Kershaw.

We love you and you are forever in our hearts.

The family would like to thank the staff of Kiwanis Care for the loving care they provided Aubrey.

A service will be held at the Fort Steele Cemetery on Saturday, August 17 at 1:00 pm.

 

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service.

Condolences for the family can be offered at:

www.mcphersonfh.com