Obituary of Mae Dittmar

Mae Dittmar (nee Mabel Terry) August 24, 1926 - July 14, 2018 "Our Hearts are Broken" With heartfelt sadness we announce the passing of our mother Mae at East Kootenay Regional Hospital in Cranbrook on July 14th of this year. As a wife, mother, grand and great grandmother Mae was filled with the love of life; she never wanted to miss a thing and lived life to the fullest; "her way". Mom loved gardening, cooking, crib games, dancing and playing her slide guitar to all of her favorite country and western songs. She also enjoyed travelling, camping, horseback riding, cross country skiing, golf and curling. In the last few years she developed her creative talents in painting decorative birdhouses which brought a smile to everyone's face and one to hers when she was able to sell them and enjoy spending her profits at the St Eugene Casino. Her work life grew from being a house wife and mother in the early days to waitressing at the lunch counter in Woolworths and selling shoes at the Bay in Vernon, BC. Later she also enjoyed cooking in the gas, oil and logging camps of northern Alberta. With her talents in the kitchen and bubbly personality mom kept "her boys" happy and healthy, spoiling them with their favorite meals and desserts whenever she could. Mom was born in the Pine Torch area, just outside of White Fox, Saskatchewan. She was one of 9 children born to Harry and Maude Terry who had immigrated from the USA in 1925. She was the last surviving member of the Terry family and did not give up her claim easily. She was a strong out-going woman who loved and laughed her way through life with a determination to 'grow where she was planted". Mom inherited this from her colorful dad Harry, an American Blacksmith and Sheriff who also rode 'shotgun' on the stagecoach between Laramie Wyoming and Dodge City Colorado. When he heard about the 'free land' they were giving away in Canada, he packed up his growing family and left for the Saskatchewan prairie to lay claim to his new homestead. Mae grew up on the farm with her siblings and loved the lifestyle. Those were simpler days when horse and buggy were the mode of transport, riding several miles to attend country dances, box socials and yes, walking 5 miles to school in the dead of winter. In 1945 she met and married our father, Nick Chometsky (one of 12 siblings) who lived in the Nipawin area of Saskatchewan. He and his brothers were all musically gifted which gave life to the small community where they played for local dances and family get-togethers. Dad was a shoe repairman by trade and had his shop in Nipawin; later they relocated to Vernon in the Okanagan valley of BC where they had 2 daughters; Judy and Sharlene 4 years apart. Sadly Nick (dad) passed away in 1963 and left mom a widow at the young age of 37. As time went on and us girls grew up and left home the oil and gas industry took mom to Grande Prairie, Alberta where she met Hardy Dittmar and later married him in 1995. Both Hardy and mom had a love of country dancing which they enjoyed together for many years. They also loved life on their acreage located southwest of Beaverlodge and mom spent those years re-decorating the farmhouse, planting beautiful flower gardens and even creating a wonderful 'nature walk' filled with nursery rhyme and cartoon characters made from wood; all hand cut and painted. Mom was very proud of that walk and shared it with friends and local school children who would visit the farm. Life there was a wonderful era for mom where she once again 'grew where she was planted' and made several friends who were frequently 'fed, watered and entertained' at the farm. During that time mom and Hardy acquired 2 new additions to the family; Teddy & Boomie; cute little Pomeranian puppies who mom adored and loved to this day. In 2007 Mom had a stroke at the age of 80. Although she recovered fairly well it was time to move off the farm and she and Hardy chose to relocate to Cranbrook, BC where her eldest daughter Judy and son-in-law Don resided. Once again mom adapted well to her new way of life and made new friends who she enjoyed playing music with and attending the seniors centre for card games and jam sessions. In late 2014 mom's health began to deteriorate due to her COPD and the decision was made by the family that she could no longer live comfortably at home. In February of 2015 mom moved into Joseph Creek. Although it was a tough change for her she once again 'grew where she was planted' and made new friends along with enjoying some of the activities that the community had to offer. She kept herself and others entertained by still playing her guitar once in-awhile, painting her birdhouses and having nightly crib games with her good friend Carmen. Mom was well loved and respected by the Joseph Creek community and it became her last home. Although she adapted reasonably well to her new life at Joseph Creek, she always missed being in her own home with Hardy and of course Teddy and Boomie…the tears she shed in those days were always about "her puppies". Mom is survived by her husband Hardy Dittmar, 2 daughters Judy Kropfmuller (Don her wonderful son-in-law) and Sharlene Chometsky, 3 grandchildren Ryan Kropfmuller (Michelle), Dean Kropfmuller (Brie) and Brandi Bugera (nee Kropfmuller); 6 great grandchildren Ethan, Dara, Sawyer, Rowen, Maura and Danica …. and lest we forget… her 2 furry friends Teddy and Boomie. We all miss her terribly; she was the 'hub of our wheel' and can never be replaced. In her last days mom tried to put into words her feelings about life and friends; she said it was getting harder to make the number of new friends needed to replace the old ones that were passing away so frequently. Well mom, you can now be with so many of those 'old friends' who know and love you dearly; and we that are left behind will love and miss you until we meet again; And in the meantime, we know that you will continue to "grow where you are planted". A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service. Condolences for the family can be offered at: www.mcphersonfh.com