Mary Eileen Veroba

December 4, 1934 – September 1, 2021

 

Mary Eileen Veroba, or as she was affectionately known as Eileen, Mom, Grandma, GG and friend, entered into eternal rest on September 1,2021 at the age of 86, at Prairie Lakes Extended Care Facility, Grande Prairie, AB.

 

Eileen was born on December 4, 1934, on her parents farm in Saskatchewan, AB. She was the ninth of twelve children, to Ulric and Gertrude Cote.

 

Eileen grew up and attended her school years in the Timberland and Leoville, Saskatchewan area. After she finished school, she worked as a nurse at the Leoville and Lampman Hospitals. Mom had many wonderful stories of her life in Saskatchewan.

 

Eileen met Donald Veroba when he was working in the area. Don and Eileen were married on October 27, 1954. They moved to Estevan, Saskatchewan where Don and Eileen worked with his parents John and Delma Veroba in the trucking and gravel business.  Mom served many meals to Dad and the crew of workers, no one had to be told twice it was dinner time when mom was cooking.

 

While living in Saskatchewan Eileen gave birth to her first child Debbi, then Russell followed by Joel and Perry. They decided to move to Little Smoky, Alberta where Kim was born, completing their family.

 

Mom and Dad went homesteading, leaving behind their families in Saskatchewan to start a new adventure in Alberta.  Life on the farm was hard work but mom was always up before the sun, cooking, baking, cleaning, tending to animals and doing many things for her family.  The smell of fresh baked bread, cinnamon buns, donuts, pies, and cookies were the scents of our childhood.

 

Mom and Dad were both very active in the Little Smoky Hall community and could be found cooking or entertaining there on many occasions. Don and Eileen owned an oilfield construction company which moved them to many places over the years, Edson, Carrot Creek, Blackie, Grande Cache, Sexsmith and Grande Prairie. While in Grande Prairie, AB, mom managed Brodie Manor for several years. Mom and dad bought a house in Clairemont, AB in 1993. Shortly after Dad passed away in 1994 and she lived there for 17 years, until moving to Dieppe Manor, Heritage Lodge and eventually the Prairie Lake Extended Care Facility.

 

Eileen loved her family and devoted her entire life to making all of her families lives better.  Mom was loved by all and she baby sat every grandchild and great grandchild with love. She would always have your favorite food and snacks when you arrived at her place and the candy dish was never empty.  She will be sadly missed by all, but we thank her for the family roots she created in all of us.

 

Mom left this earth at her favorite time of day, in the early morning hours before the sun rose with her family by her side. As we celebrate the life well lived of our Mother, Grandma, GG and friend may we always remember her love of a beautiful sunrise, her smile, the smell of fresh baked bread, cinnamon buns, donuts and her Estee Lauder perfume hugs. Until we met again, may we take comfort in knowing you and dad are reunited again.

 

Eileen was predeceased by her husband Donald Veroba, parents Ulrich & Gertrude Cote, mother-in-law, and father-in-law John (Delma) Veroba, sisters Lilian (Robert) Debray, Florence (Edward) Lemieux, Ester (Gerry) Rivet, Gladys (Walter) Kondra, Doris (Robert) Lepage, Helen (Maurice) Lepage, Margaret (Emile), Blanchard, Alice (Philip) Rivard, brother Vern (Louise) Cote, brother Ronald McGillis, brother-in-law Edward Hyrnkiw and Alan Veroba.

 

Eileen will be lovingly remembered by her children: Debbi (Raymond) Petteplace, Russell (Vivian) Veroba, Joel Veroba (Tara Kendall), Perry (Vivian) Veroba, Kim (Archie) Hunke, grandchildren and great grandchildren: Don (Sheila) Rayne, Reid Petteplace, Chantel (Kurt) Fink, Kelsey Fink (Matt Primeau), Noah Fink (Tara Williams), Kali Fink, Jason, Grayson Petteplace, Tina Petteplace (Odell Ramcharan), Jacynda Petteplace (Noah Parsons), Bobbi, Ryker Veroba, Cindy (Stephen) Burke Legaree, Justin Veroba, Kylie (Kolson) Stumpf, Jayden Veroba (Carli Armeneau), Dustin Veroba (Jessica Gaudet), Jonathan Veroba, Ryder Veroba, Cole (Sasha) Max, Myles Hunke, Shaw Hunke (Lesley McVicker), sister Joyce Hyrnkiw; brothers and sisters in law; Art (Lorraine) Veroba, Carl (Roberta) Veroba, Bruce (Joanne) Veroba, Maleen Veroba, numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

 

A celebration of Eileen’s life will be held on September 25, 2021, at 2 pm at the Christ Community Church, 10106 112 Ave, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 1V7.

 

Interment to follow at the Grande Prairie Cemetery with fellowship following internment at the basement of the Christ Community Church Dinner to follow at 4:30 pm.

 

Mom’s favorite color was pink and in honor of her, we are wearing pink, grey, white and black. Please participate if you would like.

 

If you have a special memory or funny story, please feel free to share it at the service.

 

Condolences can be sent to:

Debbi Petteplace

Box 276

Grovedale, AB.

TOH 1X0

 

Please accept a heartfelt thank you to the many kind, compassionate and amazing people who cared for our mother at Heritage Lodge, QE II Hospital, Prairie Lake Extended Care Facility and Bear Creek Funeral Home. May you be proud of the work you do, the person you are, and the difference you make!

 

In honor of our mother’s love of feeding people, memorial donations can be made to the Grande Prairie Salvation Army Soup Kitchen where she volunteered.

 

Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780 830 7742 bearcreekfuneral.com

 

• Date : 2021-09-01
• Location : Grande Prairie

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