Obituary of Alice Sluggett

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of  Alice Sluggett, longtime resident of Dawson Creek, British Columbia, on Sunday, June 18, 2023 at the age of 85 years.  

ALICE MARIAN (STRANDBERG) SLUGGETT

Alice was born July 13, 1937, in Mirror Landing (known now as “Smith”) in Alberta, located at junction of Lesser Slave & Athabasca Rivers.

Alice grew up in Smith, Alberta with older brother Eric and their parents.  Her parents were Joanna Lilijurs from Denmark and Uno Wilfred Strandberg from Sweden (2^nd husband). Alice had 2 half siblings, Berger & Helen from her mother’s first marriage to Anton Lundquist. All have predeceased Alice.

At the age of 21 she had to get her mom to sign for her to be able to start her first job with the CN-telephone office. Then she heard of a job opening in Dawson Creek at the NWT-telephone office from a friend, so she moved in 1960 to start her new adventure. She kept busy playing baseball in between work, even before she moved to Dawson Creek, she continued playing over the years, and took home many trophies for best pitcher.

She met Raymond Sluggett that summer, at one of the gatherings after a baseball game, and they got married on October 15, 1960. They first rented a place in Dawson Creek and had two sons: Sheldon Ray Sluggett- March 23, 1962, and Reginald (Reg) Eric Sluggett- June 29, 1965.

They wanted to have their own larger place, so she borrowed $500 from her dad and bought a lot where they built a house for $22, 000. After a few years they bought a place out at Mile 4 (229 Rd) off the Hart Highway 97S. While still living there, they bought land at Mile 9 off Alaska Highway 97N in Farmington. They built a house on it in 1978, after they moved into it a shop was built the following year. They had cows, horses, chickens, and of course dogs & barn cats over the years. She made many friends whether through baseball, work, or other activities over the years.

Alice had many different jobs throughout her working career; she spent a few years in the telephone office, she then worked 11 years as a cook at the “A & W”-Drive In” on Alaska Avenue; then worked 3 years at KFC. Alice decided she needed a change, so she went across Alaska Ave to work at “Red Rooster”-convenience store (welding supplies last few years).

Alice had to have appendix surgery so after she healed and went back to her usual baseball games, she started job at the Grandview Store (8^th St. -corner of Watson Cres.), after working there for a while, her boss asked if she wanted to work at his other store on Alaska Ave/17 St. corner- “Redwood Husky”. She worked and became manager there for 11 years and after he sold the store, she worked there for another 5 years under the new owner and till she retired.

Besides her working career, Alice also enjoyed baking and decorating many birthday cakes and also decorating wedding cakes for her 2 sons and many others. Alice’s oldest son Sheldon married Dannette Abel in April 1987 and the following year her son Reg married Ann Bassett in May 1988. Sheldon & Dannette had 3 daughters: Serreana (1990), Teal (1992), and Amie (1997). Reg & Ann had 3 sons: Cole (1991), Ryan (1992), Ray (1994), and daughter Samantha (1995).

In the later part of 1990 Alice & Raymond separated and later divorced but she kept busy with work, baking, gardening, reading, word search books, playing cards or watching curling with friends. Alice enjoyed spending time with all the grandchildren for visits or babysitting. She did some travelling to a few places in Mexico and Hawaii with friends, and visits with relatives in Smith, Alberta.

In fall of 2011, she retired from work once diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer of the esophagus area-Stage 4. She did her chemo treatments stretched over 3 months in Dawson Creek Hospital and then month of radiation treatments in Edmonton. She never gained her full strength back after, but no cancer returned. She got hand tremors and when they got worse was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and later had other issues or spells (as we called it) arise and was diagnosed with “Temporal Lobe Epilepsy” -unable to talk-limp body (known as silent seizures).

She has 6 great grandchildren: Cole’s son Kaydin (2013), Teal’s children Remington (2019) & Mina (2020), Amie’s daughter Braylon (2021), Ray’s daughter Amelia (2022), and Amie’s son Jaxon (2023).

On June 26, 2020 - Covid year, Alice fell outside in her flower garden and broke her left shoulder. She spent 8 days in hospital with no visits allowed due to covid protocols. She and her “Nipper”-chihuahua dog, then came to live with Reg & Ann while she healed and recuperated.

She stayed with Reg & Ann for almost 3 years, taking visits to her farm to garden or bake and staying the odd night, having meals and visits with Sheldon, until she fell on April 17, 2023 in her bedroom, and broke her right hip. She then got surgery in PG for her hip and was sent back to spend the last couple months in Dawson Creek Hospital, but she didn’t progress like we all hoped. Unfortunately, she passed away on the morning of June 18, 2023, at the age of 85.

With respect to her wishes there will be no service, however, please join us for BBQ gathering (burgers, hotdogs & condiments supplied).  We welcome a variety of food additions, so having an old fashion potluck for salads/sweets/or other) out at her farm on Saturday, July 8 between Noon and 5pm at 5855 (Mile 9) Alaska Hwy.

Please join us to share your stories or memories of your time with Alice, with Sheldon and Reg’s families.

If you like to attend (with/or without food), please RSVP with either text message or phone Ann at 250-219-4476, thank you.

For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Alice to Parkinson Society of British Columbia, 600 - 890 W. Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1J9.

Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium