Carole Ann Zaharia (nee Keller)
On July 9th, 2016 and finally at peace, Carole Ann Zaharia (nee Keller) left her husband of 49 years, Orest, her children David(Sherry), Christine (Paul), son-in-law Chuck, daughter-in-law Vicki, grandchildren Kayce Jo, Chase, Tricia, Paul Jr. Shawn, Paige, her surviving siblings Don (Diane), Marlene, sister-in-law Barb, Thom, Pat (Larry), George Jr. (Kim), Armella (Charles), sister-in-law Iris, brother-in-law Jerry(Jenny), sister-in-law Gloria(Neil) and their families, and some very special friends.
She was predeceased by her parents George and Marie, her mother and father-in-law Mary and Metro, her brother Ken, her youngest daughter Cynthia, who just left us suddenly at the end of May of this year, as well as her in-laws George, Grace, Ernie, and Arnold.
Born January 19th, 1947 in Provost, Alberta, growing up in Castor, and moving to Edmonton to pursue education and employment, she met up with a handsome young welder named Orest from “garlic belt” Saskatchewan. They fell in love and married. After the birth of David and Christine, they moved to Hyas, Saskatchewan. Cynthia was born a couple of years later. They raised their family, made friends that became family, and nurtured a bond with the Zaharia tree that exists strong to this day. After almost 18 years, they moved back to Alberta and settled in Hinton. Shortly after, they settled into their favorite roll, Nan and Papa. Mom lived a busy and active life, loving her family and always insisting on “feeding the neighborhood”. Everyone loved Nan’s talent in the kitchen, even beyond her Ukrainian and German culinary skills. She was a hard worker all her life and decided to slow things down after her last place of employment, I.G.A. She was always a meticulously organized homemaker and kept Dad in line, being his helping hand guided by care and love. She was very proud of and enjoyed being part of the CWL and their involvement in her community. She looked forward to hanging out with “the girls”, her close friends that volunteered at the Share Shop and the church. Her other loves of her life were her dog and shadow Rocky and her cat Sasha, that have missed her presence since she finally asked for help and went to the hospital in the later part of April. Angels on earth do exist and work at the Hinton Hospital, the Royal Alex, and the Cross Cancer Institute, loving mom with their compassion, their care, and their humor.
We thank these beautiful individuals that cared for her, and cared for us, from the very depths of our hearts. Mom never wavered with her love for her family and with her faith in God. She trusted Him and the path He chose for her and her family and reminded us often, especially at the difficult and heart wrenching times in our lives…that strength would come and that God never gave us more than He thought we could bare. Even when her youngest child suddenly passed at the end of May, heart-brokenly devastated, she never asked “Why me?” while she continuously struggled to live. Thank you to everyone that visited Mom in the hospital during her stay. A special thank you to Auntie Karen for making sure she had coffee she could enjoy drinking and the visits she gave Dad when we couldn’t be there.
Prayers to celebrate this beautiful, kind soul were held at 7:00 Thursday, July14, 2016 and a full mass was celebrated at 11:00 Friday, July 15th, 2016 at Our Lady of the Foothills Catholic Church on Tamarack Avenue, Hinton.
Donations in Carole Zaharia’s name can be made to the Hinton CWL as they spread charity and financial help throughout the community of Hinton.
To send condolences on line,please visit our website at www.edsonfunralhome.com
The Foothills Memorial Cjhapel
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