Evelyn Hupchuk shared many memories with her family about what it was like to grow up in New Westminster.
Hupchuk passed away May 28 at the age of 95 in Queen's Park Care Centre, just eight days after her son Dan Butters died of cancer at Royal Columbian Hospital.
Hupchuk is survived by two sons, Wilfred and Bob and a large extended family.
Bob Butters, Hupchuk's youngest son, said his mother often spoke about growing up in Sapperton.
"She talked about her school burning down," he recalled. "She has picture of the school burning down. She was devastated."
While some kids were happy about not having to go to school, Evelyn spent her time away from school helping out with her four younger siblings.
"She grew up during the Depression," Butters added. "She had lots of colourful stories about the Depression, how they survived - picking wild berries, living off the land."
Hupchuk was born and raised in New Westminster and never strayed too far.
She moved to Burquitlam, where she raised her family but moved back to New Westminster in 1962.
"It was her family home. All her relatives, all her brothers and sisters lived around there," Butters said. "There was a time when I couldn't walk five blocks in Sapperton without running into family."
In addition to running a restaurant near Royal Columbian Hospital, Hupchuk worked at Army & Navy for many years.
She lived at her home near Hume Park, until her son Dan was no longer able to care for her.
"She was home up until the last two or three months of her life. She was looked after by my brother," Butters said. "Due to my brother's health, he had to put her into a home."
New life for tires
Old tires are getting a new life in Queen's Park.
The City of New Westminster has reopened the spray park in Queen's Park with a new surface that's made up of 50 per cent recycled tires.
The city's website states the new surface is an excellent material that can withstand weather, is easy to maintain, looks good and provides traction for little feet scampering around the water features.
Tire Stewardship B.C. and the city each contributed to the $30,000 fund to resurface the spray park, a popular feature in Queen's Park.
Cemetery tour
Writers, Writing and Other Cursive Connections is the focus of this month's cemetery tour.
A Sense of History Research Services is hosting the walking tour on Sunday, June 23 at 1: 30 p.m.
The tour will start near the Fraser Cemetery office at 100 Richmond St. and will take one-and-a-half to two hours and run rain or shine.
"On this cemetery tour, you will encounter a selection of people who were known for their written works and for their love of words. There will be examples from early B.C. images, Victorian science, poetry, newspaper copy, as well as readings to go along with it all," stated a press release about the tour. "You will hear of a noted gardener and 'landscape artist' who left examples of his poems to adorn many of his projects; a former teacher who wrote colourful accounts of our early province; a musician who created heartfelt words about a tragic sinking; a larger than life actor who brought a writer's words to life; and a few editors and columnists who set a tone in the words they wrote and published. There will also be some examples of wonderful Victorian newspaper prose."
The tour costs $10 per person (cash only). Preregistration isn't required. To contact tour leaders Archie and Dale Miller, call 604-526-6113 or email [email protected].
New commander
Lt. Bryan Watson has taken over command of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Corp Fraser.
The corp held its annual ceremonial review and change of command ceremony on June 9 at its training facility on Annacis Island. Honorary Col. Karen Baker-MacGrotty of the Royal Westminster Regiment was the reviewing officer. The ceremony marked Watson taking command of the corps from Lt. (N) Megan St. Hilaire.
