Obituary of Elsa Mae Sekyer

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Elsa Mae Sekyer, resident of Dawson Creek, British Columbia, on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, at the age of 84 years.

            How does one write a life on a few pages? All the joys, tears and living that went on for 84 years. It seems such an arduous attempt to bring actual life into the facts of one’s life. We all are born, live and eventually die. But all that life that is lived. The soul of each person is so valuable to God and to each other. It seems almost impossible to put in words what we feel and what we have lost for the time.

            If we were to write a verse from scripture that would describe our beloved Elsa Mae it would be 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”

            Elsa Mae was born in Nelson, BC, on May 15, 1937. She was the youngest daughter of Carl and Muriel Nystrom. She had an older sister, Edith, whom she looked up to. When she was a young child, they moved to Pouce Coupe. She attended school there and had many happy memories of living in the small village.

            She shared recently how Edith and her would take the train to Dawson and watch a movie. Then hitch-hike home. One time they didn’t get a ride and had to walk all the way home. She was asked if her parents were worried. She replied, “No days were different then. They knew we would be fine.” She had many days of skating and tobogganing. Also, she mentioned they would pack a lunch and spend hot summer days playing at the river.

            When she was a young woman, she met the dashing George Sekyer who swept her off her feet. They were married in the United Church on the 12th day of May 1956.

            Into their home they welcomed Jerry, Kathy, and Lana. Elsa worked as a stenographer for the federal government in Pouce Coupe and later worked as a government agent at the provincial building in Dawson Creek. She took early retirement from that position to spend time with her daughter, Kathy. She was a strength and comfort for both Kathy and Blayne through that hard time.

            Everyone who ever became acquainted with George and Elsa realized that they would always leave their presence full. Whether they needed a roof over their heads or a meal in their bellies. Their home and finances were always there to help others in need. And even those of us that did not need, we never left with less but always more. They treated everyone with equality. They never judged you for what you had or didn’t have. Many called them mom and dad. They were the family banking institution that never demanded a repayment. And each of us can learn from the legacy that they left us.

            Elsa was known of later years for her good pies she brought on her Sunday visits to Lana and Marvin’s place. And as everything she did, it was according to order and the clock. She came at 2 sharp every Sunday and left at 4 ~ so she could get home to have supper with Jerry. Elsa will also be known for her extreme care of her little dogs. She loved them. And no expense was held back even from their care, just like the people in her life. Little Scamp will miss her terribly but we are so glad he has Jerry. Whom Elsa said that Scamp loved Jerry more.

            Active!  That is the word to describe her best. From water exercises, to walking, to card games, to Senior’s lunch at the Centre. In later years her highlight of the week was the Friday Ladies Bible study in Doe River. She was an active participant and loved to share her faith with all. Her last word to her daughter, Lana, was that she loved her and she was ready to go home to heaven. She told her that she would see her in the future. How beautiful it is to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Of whom she was not ashamed to be counted as a Christian, even though she was older when she accepted Him. Her faith held many strong, she was such a strength to her good friend, Donna Stenhouse. Stood by her side for her final years.

            Elsa left our presence on September 21, 2021. She has left a hole in our family. She was predeceased by her parents Carl and Muriel Nystrom, her sister Edith Wintemute, husband George Sekyer and her daughter Kathy Green. Left to mourn are her son Jerry and his son Kyle and daughter Tanya, son-in-law Blayne Green, Kathy and Blayne sons Korey (Kara) Green, and Brett(Amanda) Green, Lana and Marvin Juell, and their sons Travis(Tia) and Tyler(Dakota). Great grandchildren Austin and Jenna Green, Madden, Leightyn and Vaughn Green, Soren and Yumi Juell, her nephews Darrel (Debbie) Sekyer, and Don(Donna) Shearer who were like her own children. Her sisters-in-law Marion Neste and Audrey Cowger, Loretta Heikel, Irene Sekyer, And her brothers-in-law Bob Shearer, Gary Sekyer. And a multitude of nieces and nephews and friends.

A private family Celebration of Life for Elsa Mae will be held with interment to follow at Peace View Cemetery.  For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Elsa made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 1100 Alward Street, Prince George, British Columbia V2M 7B1.

Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium