Obituary of Ella Leona Spence

Ella Leona Spence (was always known as 'Leona' or 'Auntie Onie' by many) was born on Dec 20, 1934 in Big Prairie, Alberta to Leland and Margaret Bouck. She joined big Sister Jean. Following her were siblings, Jim, Bill, Roy, Rob, Bruce and Alma. She grew up on a farm in the Cremona area and on June 9, 1957 married my father William Andrew Spence. Mom and Dad moved to Calgary and on June 28, 1958 they welcomed my brother Andrew Leland Spence. I joined our family on June 24th 1961. In 1965, we moved north to Bonanza when my parents joined my grandparents and families homesteading in the Peace Country. Our land was in Cotillion and life was not always easy in those days. My mom worked hard on the farm, she cooked, drove tractor, drove the grain truck, drove the combine, picked roots and weeds by hand, she worked side by side with my father with anything that needed to be done. Mom started cooking in camps after my father's death and had a career of over 15 years. Mom loved to travel and was a world traveler she had been to England, Scotland, Hawaii, Nova Scotia, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Texas, PEI, Osoyoos, and Las Vegas. Family was important for mom, she also enjoyed reading, painting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, quilting and sudoku. Mom and Mary decorated wedding cakes for many of us in the community. She was a member of the Savanna Agricultural Society and helped to build the ice facility. For the past 15 years she has made supper for the convenors at our annual Savanna fair, and for as long as I can remember she has made apple pies for the Chinese supper in Cotillion. We all took care of her because she has always taken care of us. Rest In Peace momma, you earned your wings. Leona passed away on Saturday, November 3, 2012 in Dawson Creek, at the age of 77 years. A funeral service was held on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 11:00 am at the Bonanza Hall. Pastor Floyd Anderson officiated, Interment followed in the Bonanza Hillhaven Cemetery, where Leona was laid to rest with her family. Leona was predeceased by her loving husband; Bill, son; Andrew, brother; Jim (Lucille) and sister; Alma (Ray) Charlton. Leona leaves to mourn her daughter; Christine (Bob) MacLean, grandchildren; Leland Spence (Sandy), Jennifer(Travis) Spence, Dallas (Brittany) MacLean and Colter MacLean, great-grandchildren; William, Bailey, Reata, Jaci Spence and Thor MacLean, sister; Jean (Ken) Umbach, brothers; Bill (Audrey) Bouck, Roy (Jeanie) Bouck, Robert (Leslie) Bouck and Bruce Bouck as well as numerous nephews and nieces. Special Memories presented by Leona's daughter; Christine MacLean. For friends so wishing donations may be made in memory of Leona to the Canadian Cancer Society 565 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., V5Z 4J4 Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium