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Emily Dorothea Hewitt (Kelly)
March 3, 1922 - April 18, 2019
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Emily Dorothea Hewitt (nee Kelly) passed away peacefully at her home in Cranbrook, BC on Thursday night, April 18th, 2019 at the age of 97.
Mom was born in a small farm house near Spy Hill (Rocanville district), Saskatchewan on March 3, 1922 to parents Arthur George Kelly & Alice Letitia Kelly (nee Gough). She attended Hamona School, 4-1/2 miles away. Walking to school, she would often run, never opening a gate, but delighted in jumping over the barbed strands. She loved horses and would sometimes gallop on her horse bareback, standing up! Riding to school in the winter, icicles would hang so long from the horses nose, that they would often hit the ground.
She lived as a devout Christian who endlessly gave of herself to others — content with never a complaint. She had a great heart for the underprivileged and always sought to bring a smile to everyone she met.
She often said she had a better childhood in the hungry thirties than many kids growing up today. She loved reading books all her life. She loved reciting poetry, playing the piano and drawing. Her favourite hymn was “It is no secret what God can do. What He’s done for others, He will do for you.”
As a young woman, Emily was a “Van Girl”. She drove an Eva Hazel Sunday School Mission Van thousands of miles, often over non-existent prairie roads through Saskatchewan and Manitoba. She later worked as a nurse’s aid at Deer Lodge Hospital in Winnipeg, at various nursing homes and at a T.B. Sanatorium.
She met her husband John Ellis Hewitt near Taber, Alberta. They were married on her parent’s farm near Welby, Sask. on October 30, 1954 and soon after moved to Winnipeg. In 1969 they moved to her husband’s family home in Fernie, BC with their four sons. After raising her family, she kept active as a volunteer and going to garage sales; she loved flying down Fernie’s hills on her bicycle into her 80’s! Her husband passed away in 1989. In 2000, she moved to Cranbrook and attended Cranbrook Alliance and later the Salvation Army. She continued riding her bike and later pushing her walker to the mall, seeking to brighten everyone’s day.
John (Jack) and Emily had four sons: David (Debbie), John (Ingrid), Mark and Paul. She was very proud of her four grandsons: Nathaniel, Morgan, Allan, and Ryan and keenly followed their lives. She was the third of seven children: Kathleen (Norris) Ashe, Hugh (Mabel), Emily (John) Hewitt, Maurice (Bella), Margaret (Bill) Kingdon, Sheila (Bill / Jim) Brydon-Gibb, Terrence (Delta). She is survived by her four sons, sister Sheila, sister-in-law Delta Kelly and many Gough and Kelly cousins, relatives and friends.
She was very pleased to be a descendant of Uncle Viscount Hugh Gough (Ireland) and was very close to her grandfather Hugh Henry Havelock Gough who lived in her family’s home in his later years.
With great sadness we will miss our mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend. She is at rest with her Heavenly Father.
Matthew 25:21 KJV
…Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 11:00 am at the Cranbrook Salvation Army with Major Kirk Green officiating. Interment will follow in St. Margaret’s Cemetery at 3:00 pm in Fernie. Condolences may be left for the family at www.markmemorial.com.
Condolences
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From: Mark Memorial Funeral Services
Mark Memorial Funeral Services Staff send our condolences to family and friends.
From: Heather Hockley
Relation: Friend/family
Many good memories come to mind when I think about Emily. She was always proud of her children and grandchildren. She loved her garden and puttering outside. I remember her many trips to Creston for fruit and the many baked goods she would create in the kitchen. Oh and of course her bike rides. RIP Emily you lived a full life and have left behind many memories
From: Judy Vandenbogerd
Relation: Friend
Nick and I met Emily and Jack in the late 70’s when we were parents of 4 pre-school daughters. Our own family lived in Sask and Manitoba but Emily and Jack embraced our family. Whenever I came into town Emily would offer to have some or all of the girls stay at her place while I attended to business. Not once did Emily not welcome us with a smile and hug. She happily babysat my nursing babies! Her open-door hospitality was often put to the test by unexpected last minute needs from our family but Emily and Jack always fed or entertained my daughters with a genuine welcome. One of Emily’s meals she prepared and fed us when we arrived unannounced was Rice Custard Pudding and we loved it.
Emily did not sit still for very long. Even after her 95th birthday her mind was alert to the needs of her company. She was the Hostess making sure everyone had a chair, a cup of tea, and a cookie. She was known for sitting momentarily on the edge of her seat than popping up to get something for her visitor. Emily, thank-you so much for being there for me and my family. I already miss our visits but cherish the memories.
Emily visited our home one afternoon when she was not feeling well. She sat all afternoon on our deck and absorbed the Fernnie scenery watching the field and mountain as seen in the photo here. Today I remember her as I look at the same view.
Paul, thanks for the care you gave your mother thru the last years that enabled her to be at home surrounded by her things. My condolences to all her Boys. She loved you. Cherish her memories.
From: Debbie
Relation: daughter in law
My favorite memory of Emily is of her being out in her yard, or walking around ours asking what each plant was. She gave us cuttings of some plants from around the house in Fernie which still grow in our yard today. She loved simple things, was so easy to please and always was busy getting a meal together for us all when we visited. Lemon pies were especially good. Our kids always left with a found treasure from the yard or house, always something interesting to see. She loved when you could find a new use for something that others thought was trash, and we were happy to do that.
She never missed a card and a call on a birthday or holiday, never wanting anything for herself. She is missed already. We are so grateful to Paul for all his care , incredible how he looked after her so well. I know she will be watching over all her children .
From: Nadine Brown (Vandenbogerd)
Relation: Friend
Emily entered my world at the age of 8 when we were paired together as prayer partners by our local church. She diligently prayed for me and often asked how I was doing. This meant the the world to me. My mother would sometimes drop me off at Emily’s while she did her shopping. Emily’s house was full of treasures! I would love to look through all her trinkets and keepsakes. I would carefully examine each one. Another highlight was trying to teach her bird a new word. Emily was always kind and I loved and admired her for it. As the years passed I often thought how she aged as sweet as ever. She was a gem. Till we meet again my friend.
From: michelle
Relation: friend
To Emilys family I am so sorry for your loss, I will be praying for peace for you at this time. Emily was a wonderful lady kind and thoughtful of others she loved her family so much, and had such faith. I loved the fact that Emily found joy in the little things in life. I will miss you Emily!
From: Philomena Lafortune
Relation: Friend from Fernie
Emily, fierce woman, yet, gentle and kind. Tea in a china cup was always best at your house, sitting in the most comfy chair, you insisted.
You loved your boys, you loved mine too … thank you for that.
Emily, strong and proud, yet, so humble. I thought of you on Easter Sunday, then I heard that you had already gone.
Thinking of you now.
Your friend Philo
From: Ingrid Hewitt
Relation: daughter in law
I am grateful for Emily, my wonderful mother-in-law who loved people from the heart. She gave of herself for others, seeking to make a real difference in everyone’s life. Her prayers removed barriers. We will miss her but will see her again.
“The fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much”
James 5:16
From: Sheila Marshall
Relation: Friend
I was blessed to have have known Emily and considered her a good friend. We seemed to be kindred spirits. Emily was indeed a very special lady. I was honoured to be considered her “sister Sheila from Cranbrook”. My warmest regards to her actual sister Sheila and all the family. Emily loved each and every one.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
Date & Time:
April 27, 2019
Beginning at 11:00am
Location:
Cranbrook Salvation Army
511 Slater Road NW
Cranbrook, BC Canada
511 Slater Road NW
Cranbrook, BC Canada
Memorial Gifts
The family has not designated a preferred charity at this time.
Thank You Notice
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MJ’s Floral Boutique
24 10th Avenue South
Cranbrook BC V1C 2M8
250.526.5689
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