February 2, 2022
Louise passed away in Kelowna BC on 2-22-22 at age 73. Hope was born in Hanna, Alberta and lived in Lacombe, Halifax, Calgary, Elkford, Cranbrook and finally Kelowna.
She is mourned by her partner of 30 years Jim Hills, brother Fraser Wilson, daughter Coleen Alex Hennig, daughter-in-law Christine, and grandchildren Téa and Kai. She was predeceased by her parents Alexander and Ruby Wilson.
Born to Scottish parents on a family farm outside of Hanna, Hope attended the one-room schoolhouse at Netherby, Hanna High School, and Canadian Union College.
As the eldest she was both capable and mischievous driving the tractor once with her brother before she could even touch the pedals, and even though her and Fraser were very different they always looked out for each other.
One thing she loved as a child was her Dad's home cured ham and would eat it four times a day if she could. Hope loved friends, social occasions and visiting.
Married young (Verle Streifling), Hope had a stilborn daughter in 1967 in Halifax after a car crash, and a second daughter (Coleen) in Calgary at 21. After divorcing, she became a single parent to a toddler in the early 1970s.
Her daughter never knew how hard it was for her mom through those years working in the fabric department at Zellers, and later clerical work including many years as the switchboard operator at Bethany Care Centre. She remarried in 1979 to Ervin K. Hennig, and divorced 1990.
In 1993 she met Jim through her life-long friend Maureen and moved out of the city to Elkford and later Cranbrook - working in hospitality from campgrounds to hotel management. She loved taking long walks in the bush with their dog Timber and later Star, and camping with family.
Hope and Jim retired to Kelowna in 2011 to be closer to family and medical care. Her retirement was filled with gardening, reading, camping, attending Kai's baseball games, and sadly her declining health.
Known for her fierce will and kind heart, she was a strong, caring, creative woman who worked hard her whole life. A woman who once dreamed of being an interior decorator her hobbies included ceramics, painting, sewing, quilting, and home decorating.
No service will be held, but visits and phone calls are welcome.
Burial of ashes will be in Hanna this July. If you would like to be notified please reach out to the family.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com
Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC 250-762-2299
First Memorial Funeral Services