Esther May Burdett (Nee Bugg)
May 20, 1922 — Jan. 5, 2004
Esther was born in Palling, BC, and later moved with her family to Hazelton, BC, Kelowna, BC and finally to Smithers, BC in 1949. Over her lifetime, she had many occupations. She operated a sawmill with her brother George: Auto Court on Lake Kathlyn.
Esther devoted most of her time to doing volunteer work and could often be seen in SuperValu Mall selling tickets and rallying support for her favourite organizations.
In 2002, Esther’s hard work was recognized as she received the Queen’s Jubilee Award for her fifty years of service, also Regional Campaign Organizer for the Candian Cancer Society.
Her family was the joy of her life. She relished the coming of summer for it would begin with a family reunion over the May long weekend and continue into July which would bring great-grandchildren from far & wide to Smithers to reunite for soccer camp.
Funeral services were held on Jan. 9, 2004 at M.V.A.
Pallbearers: Ron Becker, Ed Walton, Ryan Walton, Lorne Kuemper, Ron Smith & Ted Huntington.
Interment at Smithers Cemetery.
Survived by: Daughters Yvonne (Allan) Cage, Laverne (Ed) Walton, Step-daughter, Norma (Les) Ludwig, 15 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
Predeceased by: Father & mother, Charlie & Kathleen Bugg; brothers Fred, George & Billy; sister Edith Montgomery; great-grandson Dayton J. Johnson; first husband Elmer Olson, 2nd World War Veteran; second husband George Burdett; step-daughter; Donna O’Neill.