Obituary of Elizabeth Balla

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Elizabeth Balla, long-time resident of Dawson Creek, British Columbia, on Thursday, July 29, 2021.  Elizabeth passed away in Dawson Creek, BC at the age of 90 years.  A private family Celebration Of Life will be held at a later date. For friends so wishing, donatons may be made in memory of Elizabeth to the Rotary Manor Activity Fund, 1121-90 Ave, Dawson Creek, British Columbia, V1G 5A3.

The youngest of three daughters, Elizabeth was born to Stephen and Anne Salansky in Lethbridge, Alberta during the 1930's. She graduated high school, married and moved to Vancouver Island all in the same year.  Two of her four children were born on the island.  A few years later the family moved to a small farm on the West Coast in Cloverdale, B.C. The next decade saw the birth of two more children, and many hours of industry spent dealing with farm life, cows, pigs, chickens, haying time, gardening work, orcharding, homemade bread and homemade butter churned by hand in a large paddle jar and scooped carefully into the butter press so when the children's school bus dropped them off each day, snacks were ready for her busy active brood.

Wanting to focus on a new venture the family was moved from the farm to the town of Cloverdale where Elizabeth started her in-home fully licensed kindergarten.  As well after a top up year at the University of British Columbia she qualified for a teaching job in the public school system.  In 1968 the family moved again, this time to Dawson Creek, B.C. Elizabeth started her first year of teaching at James Paul Elementary School on the Alaska Highway.  Always willing to better herself each summer she would spend time at the University of B.C. working on courses towards her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education.

After a full and satisfying teaching career spanning 25 years she retired and travelled.  Revisiting the West Coast of B.C. then onto Europe, touring England and being an avid reader her entire life always proud to say she had visited the Lake District in the midlands of England and stopped by Anne Hathaway’s cottage.

In her later years being a person of independent spirit, she travelled up and down the province visiting her four children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium