Obituary of Devona Nicholson

Devona Mary Nicholson of Camrose, Alberta, passed away on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at the age of 80 years. A kind and caring friend to so many, Vonnie was born in Carnduff, SK to Alfred and Genevieve Mitchell on 14 December 1936. She passed away during heart surgery on 29 March 2017. Vonnie grew up in Carnduff, part of a large and loving family. Raised by her widowed mother, she quit school early to work as a telephone operator. She married Art Nicholson in 1956, and they moved around south eastern Saskatchewan during the early years of their marriage. With two daughters, they settled in Lampman, where Art worked for the Rural Municipality of Browning, and Vonnie worked at the Co-op. They were members of Faith Lutheran Church and active in the general community. Known for her wonderful baking, Vonnie often made dozens of donuts, buns, pies, and cinnamon rolls for community functions, and school fundraisers. She was a creative force in multiple ways: quilting, refinishing antiques, and gardening. She was an avid baseball fan and a fearsome fastball coach. Vonnie loved the natural world, especially the birds, but often waged war with the Saskatchewan climate as she worked to grow roses, uncommon vegetables, and assorted fruit trees. Her busy and vibrant life continued after she and Art retired. In 2010, they moved to Camrose, where they have become part of the Brookside, Bethel, and Augustana communities. Everywhere she went, Vonnie became a surrogate mother or loving friend to so many. She did not suffer foolishness, but she was unfailingly kind and caring to everyone, even the fool. She loved life, she loved to laugh, and she made everyone at every gathering feel like family. Vonnie was the feisty matriarch of a large and loving (and noisy) family. She is lovingly remembered by her adoring husband of 60 years, Art; her children, Roxanne (Wayne) Harde of Camrose, Michelle (Kris Lepianka) Nicholson of Maple Ridge, BC; her grandchildren, Erin (Gord Burt) Harde of Calgary, and Alex Lepianka of Sackville, NB; and, her great-grandchildren, Arwyn and Bristol Burt of Calgary. She also leaves to mourn beloved cousins, nephews and nieces, and their families: Diane (Roy) Atcheynum and Dave (Linda) Unraw; Eldon (Marlene) Thompson and Donalee Patton; Brian Mitchell; the Carvers, Les, Alf, Doris, Ian, Dew, and Daryl; the Mitchells, Blaine (Jill), Curt (Paula), and Geoff (Jody); the Mitchells, Christine (Rick), Tracy, and Monte (Nicki). Vonnie was predeceased by her parents, Alfred and Genevieve; her Aunt Doris and Uncle Ab; her siblings, Pete, Don, Viv, Gord, and Durl, and their spouses, Doreen, Sharon, and Kathy; and her nephew, Chad (Jill) Mitchell. A Funeral Service was held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, April 1, 2017 from Bethel Lutheran Church in Camrose, Alberta, with Rev. Deborah Ann Taylor. If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to the Bethel Lutheran Church.