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It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Velma McClelland of Trail, BC at the age of 90 after a brief stay at Columbia View Lodge.

Velma was born in Davidson, Quebec, the eldest of four children. After high school, she trained at the Ottawa Civic Hospital to become a Registered Nurse. Upon graduation, she worked briefly in Ottawa before leaving with her friend Ruth on their trip around the world. First stop in 1949 was Trail BC where she had a nursing position at the Trail Hospital. After a few months of living in Trail, she met her future husband Jim McClelland and her around-the-world trip was over. They married in 1950 and together they raised five children.

Velma was a proud and compassionate nurse for over thirty years and loved nursing. She retired in the mid- 1980’s, upon which time she and Jim travelled frequently to Mexico and the southern United States. She was an active member of the Pizza Girls bowling group, the Eastern Star and the United Church Women’s group until her health no longer allowed it. She and Jim enjoyed spending time with family and hosted many fun family gatherings at their Glenmerry home.

Velma will be lovingly remembered by her children Gary (Joanne) McClelland of Kamloops, Nancy McClelland (Rob Reimer) of Nanoose Bay, Val McClelland of Trail, Lisa (Mark) Bonsor of Calgary and Trudi McClelland (Mike Ternier) of Kamloops. Also left to mourn her are her grandchildren Pam (Ross), Heather, Talia, Lon (Amanda), Erik (Kayla), Laurel, Scott and Julia; her great grandchildren Fern, Aria and Robin; as well as her sister Lillian of Ottawa, ON, her brother Kervyn of Campbell’s Bay, QC and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Jim, her brother Howard and her parents, Fred and Marion Burman.

The Family would like to thank the staff of Home Care Support, Castleview Care Centre, Bridges Program and Columbia View Lodge for their wonderful care of our dear Mom.

In keeping with Velma’s request there will be no funeral; there will be a family gathering in her memory. Gwen Ziprick of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements. You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence by visiting the family’s register at www.myalternatives.ca

As an expression of sympathy, donations in Velma’s memory may be made to the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital Health Foundation at 1200 Hospital Bench Trail, BC V1R 4M1 or online (http://kbrhhealthfoundation.ca/donations/

donatenowonline.aspx).



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