VERA PIECH

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VERA PIECH (nee VAN DILLEN) Mum always said "What for? I'm going to die soon anyway," and on August 28, 2015, she was spectacularly correct. Born January 22, 1933 to parents farming in the Pembina Valley in southern Manitoba, Mum never lost her love of "the hills," and though she lived the second half of her life in Penticton, right up to the end of her life, she regarded the mountains and hills of the Okanagan Valley as only a substitute for her beloved Pembina hills. Mum had four sisters and one half-brother, and often told stories of growing up on the farm. Everyone had love and respect for animals, especially Mum's father Hubert Van Dillen. Mum's mother Olga already had family (the Hermans) in southern Manitoba when she came to join Hubert and make a life of farming. All of the sisters spoke fondly of their early years on the farm, and the Van Dillens, Hermans, and others are featured in a local history of Kaleida, MB call "Kaleidascope." Some of the favourite stories Mum told were the sisters going into town on horseback to raid Macklin's store, spending the day at Simm's Park, and Don Dudgeon trying to get his truck up the other side of the valley by leaning forward, gritting his teeth, and making loud truck sounds. I've driven in and out of the Pembina Valley and you pretty well do have to do this to get up the other side... Mum met Dad in Atikokan, ON, and they were married soon after. It was actual love at first sight (plenty of time to fight later!). They had two girls (Vanessa and Leah) and spent a life building a home, mostly in Penticton. For years, Mum and Dad were weekend dancers around town, doing their version of the jive, waltz, two step, etc. They took pride in their dancing and truly enjoyed themselves. Mum loved her yard, her flowers, her wisteria, catalpa, the deer, neighbouring dog (Opal!), singing birds, and other animals who visited her back yard nature preserve. And Mum loved music. She loved good soul and gospel music, and later in life loved to watch "the Gaithers." Mum worked for Manitoba Telephones, Canada Revenue, and later for the Three Gables Hotel until her retirement. Mum was predeceased by her half-brother Otto, sisters Delma and Irma, brothers-in-law Ron Bailey and Ron Davidson, and is survived by her sisters Ella Davidson and Marg Bailey, and brothers-in-law Eldon Cousins and Ken Thompson. Left to mourn are her immediate family, husband Nick Piech, daughter Leah Taylor, daughter and son-in-law Vanessa and Curt Sutton, grandson David Sutton (Lauren), and great-grandson Jack Sutton. We are grateful for care extended by Penticton Regional Hospital and Westview Home. There is no formal service, and Mum's ashes will be placed in Penticton with Vanessa and Curt's family, but in keeping with her life-long love of the Pembina Valley, some of her ashes will be scattered from the big rock at the old farmstead so she will always be a part of "the hills". Feel free to donate in Mum's name to any charity, but especially to any animal welfare charity. Sweet Dreams of You, Mum. No pain, no sorrow, may your heaven be full of the people, places, flowers, trees, animals and music you have loved.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 19, 2015