Obituary of Idelle Bjornoy

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Idelle Aline Bjornoy, a long-time resident of the Pouce Coupe area on Sunday, May 1, 2022, at the age of 90 years.

Idelle was one of seven children born, May 25, 1931, to Sydney and Alice Lempriere in St. Savior, Jersey, Channel Islands.  She grew up on a farm where her family grew potatoes and other vegetables for market.  In 1954 she immigrated to Canada where she worked in Toronto as a telephone operator for Bell Tel. In 1957, she transferred to Whitehorse, Yukon Territories, where she met our father, John Bjornoy. They moved to Prince George where Turid was born.  After a year, they moved to Pouce Coupe where Anita was born.  They then moved to Chetwynd where John worked at the lumber mill for the next four and a half years. During this time, Joanne and Charmaine were born. They spent time going back and forth to Pouce Coupe, where they built a house on the farm and once completed, they moved there to start farming.  Karen was born in the Pouce Coupe hospital a couple of years later. They lived out their remaining years on the farm, slowly clearing the quarter, growing crops, and building up a small herd of cattle and horses. While Dad worked for the Department of Highways, Mom worked at home growing a huge garden each year and looked after the animals.  She taught us which wild berries, herbs and mushrooms were edible and what could be used medicinally. We often walked the farm picking wild berries to make jam or have for dessert. She pickled, froze, and stored enough to carry the family through most of the year.  Growing and tending flowers was done after the chores were looked after and brought her much joy.  She most enjoyed being surrounded by her kids and grandkids as she hosted weekly Sunday and holiday dinners. 

Idelle was predeceased by her husband John; parents Sydney and Alice Lempriere; brothers John, Arthur, George; sisters Joyce, Lasca; brothers-in-law George Pigeon, Olav Bjornoy, Lauritz Lie, Reidar Olsen; sisters-in-law Joan Lempriere, Birgit Bjornoy, Inghild Bjornoy, Nansy Bjornoy; nephews Stephen Lempriere, Ove Bjornoy, and Kay Hesjevik. 

She is survived by her daughters Turid (Jim) Giovannini, Anita (Flemming) Nielsen, Joanne (Dave) Moore, Charmaine (Doug) Bergeron, Karen (Brian) Babcock; grandchildren Lindsay (Charles), Chad (Kayla), Brett Giovannini, Drew, Adam (Sara) Nielsen, Stephanie (Craig) Dynna, Danielle Bergeron-Englot, Kelsey (Matt) Frechette, Justin (Meagen) Babcock, Staci (Tayler) Babcock; 17 great grandchildren; younger sister Mavis (Ed) Brown of Jersey; sisters-in-law Gunn Lie and Turid (Atle) Solberg; brother-in-law Rudolf Bjornoy of Norway, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

With respect to Idelle’s wishes, no formal service will be held. 

The family wishes to say thank you to Nicole and Julie for Mom’s special care these past few months.  Also thank you to Dr. Botha and the nurses at the Dawson Creek Hospital for their kindness and compassionate care during Mom’s last days in the hospital.

For friends so wishing, please do an act of kindness in Idelle’s memory.

Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home and Crematorium