Sheila was born in Oliver, B.C. and then shortly after moved to Vancouver, B.C. She attended St. Patrick's Catholic School where she developed her strong faith. Sheila passed on the gift of faith to her family throughout her life and up to her last breath.
At the age of twelve, Sheila and her parents, Marie and Omar Fair moved to Heffley Creek, B.C. This is where she met and fell in love with Al Bedard. While living in Heffley Creek, Sheila discovered a passion for loving and riding horses. Upon graduating from Kamloops High School in 1958, Sheila was employed by BC Highways and the Royal Bank Main Branch. For over 30 years, Sheila served her community by volunteering for the Heffley Creek Waterworks District. In September of 1961, Al and Sheila were married at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Heffley Creek. Sheila and Al built their home on family land, next door to the Parish, where Al continues to reside. In their Heffley Creek home they raised Dion, Deanna and Deborah. Sheila was the happiest when her husband, children and grandchildren were gathered around her creating special memories and enjoying her home cooked meals.
James Albert Freathy March 26, 1940 – May 17, 2020
However you knew James, you were likely impressed by his kindness, compassion, selflessness, loyalty, no nonsense approach and adventurous spirit. James leaves behind sons Brad (Bev) and Brock (Josiane), Sister Janet Ashby (Jim) and grandchildren Hannah, Hailey, Liam, Felix and Juliette. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Diane, in May 2019.
James was born in Kelowna after his family journeyed the Big Bend Highway from Alberta to the Okanagan. In 1941 the family moved to Kamloops where they put down roots with his father Ewart, Mother Elizabeth and Sister’s Beth, Jessie and Janet. He happily joked that he was raised by four mothers. He attended Stuart Wood and Lloyd George Elementaries and Kamloops Senior Secondary where he met his wife Diane. They were married in 1964. James and Diane, with eldest son Brad (in the bassinet and the VW Bug), took up residence in 1967 at SFU while he completed his Teaching Degree. He began his teaching career in 1971 at Haldane Elementary in Chase, BC. For 27 years, he taught in the elementary schools of Marion Schilling and Robert L Clemitson within the Kamloops School District. He was a respected teacher by both Students and Cohort and retired from teaching in 1998.
James’ life was full of community service; Coaching Minor Hockey and School Sports, Cub Scout Leader, President of the Tod Mountain Ski Club, President of the Valleyview Community Association (the community he resided in for 48 years), the Sun Peaks Race Committee and many other events through his beloved city. His life of commitment and service to the Community of St Paul’s Anglican Church is one of his most cherished.
Dad spent much of his summer life in the Shuswap, as a teen with the Mckeown family and as an adult with Diane and family at the cabin. He cherished hiking with Tazmin, dragon boating with the team and backyard gardening. His winters were spent sharing the love of skiing and traveling with numerous friends and family. A few of those trips included river expeditions with family and buddy Rob Okell on the Colorado Grand Canyon in 2002 and 2012 with family and John Gregson, hiking to the Everest Base Camp in 2005, numerous canoe trips with St Paul’s Families and many other international travels with many friends and family.
Dad was diagnosed with ALS In the fall 2019, and the disease took him quickly and peacefully.
