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Woodpens Bulletin Board

Members are invited to post events such as anniversaries, obituaries, trips, lottery winnings or other that you would like. Think of this facility as our Facebook or Twitter. Postings can be done by e-mailing donald_roberts@telus.net.

Reminder

Please let Evi Brown, caring and sharing chairperson, or any member of the Woodpens Board of Directors, know of any members or former Woodward’s co-workers that may be in need of a friendly word of encouragement due to illness, recent surgery, or loss of a loved one…or just needs to know that their friends wish them well. Please contact Evi Brown at (604) 988-3794 or email her at happiest1@msn.com or John bishop at (604) 926-8728 or bishophouse@shaw.ca.

To complete the article in the September 2016 Hot-Line, of Ernest Chan’s cycling for Cancer, the pictures below illustrate this story.

Saturday Team Partners in Discovery

Sunday Team Partners in Discovery

Maureen, Elisa, and Ernest

Ernest Chan

I am sure that your readers will be pleased to know that Ann Lawery celebrated her 100th birthday this past Sunday August 10th. Ann worked for many years at the in-store restaurant "The Westminster Room" (department 6-42) in the New Westminster Woodward's store before retiring as department manager in 1984. Ann currently resides at a senior's residence in South Surrey.

On her 100th birthday she was visited by two former Woodward's colleagues Jane De Marchi and Mary Dereume as shown in the attached photograph.

Kind regards,

Edward De Marchi (604-649-2400)

Neil Gamble MacDonald passed away April 24 at the age of 84 in Kamloops, BC. Neil started his work career with Woodward's in Vancouver, BC January 1958. Moving to Victoria, Edmonton, Calgary and finally to Kamloops in 1971 where he was Store Manager. The family fell in love with the Kamloops valley and no one was going to convince him to move again. Neil retired January 24, 1987 after 29 years with Woodward's. At 6'4" Neil was easily found in whatever store he worked in and was continually greeted by the people he worked with over the years, as he and his wife Lenore of 60 years enjoyed their retirement in the Kamloops area. He will be missed by many.

My Aunt Elsie MacLennan passed away peacefully on August 30, 2013 at 96 years of age. Elsie was a very proud and loyal Woodwards employee for over 30 years and worked in administration in Vancouver Woodwards. She had fond memories and great stories from her years at Woodwards and made a lot of great friends there.

Tammy Firth

Obituary for Harry Martin . See also August 2013 Hotline.

We regret to advise that my brother, Ray Bryant passed away on February 1^st  at the age of 71, after battling several health issues over the past few years.  He went to work at the local (Port Alberni) Woodwards immediately after graduating from high school, apprenticing as a meatcutter, proudly boasting that he was a “cattle surgeon”. His happy, smiling face and sense of humour were a big part of the Woodward’s Meat Dept. Ray took part in many Woodward’s activities including curling and the famous “Bed Races”. He had many great memories and stories about his Woodwards years (he retired in 1996 – after the Woodwards Food Floor transitioned to Safeway and IGA ).

Wendy (Bryant) Maurice

Obituary for Mona Brun

An intesting youtube video, you might like, on The Old WOODWARDS can be found at:

http://youtu.be/TO-ZL_i6t3Q

Janet Shea passed away on May 30, 2012.  Janet worked in the meat department in the downtown store for approximately 20 years. 

Jean and Casey Van Dyke celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary.

Casey married his "Miss Grandview - Jean McIntosh" on August 15, 1952. Celebrations with family and friends were held at the couples’ vacation home at Birch Bay.

My name is Edward De Marchi and I am pleased to be your sleuth reporter on this one. My mom (age 87) asked me to provide with the "big scoop".

I am happy to tell you that Mrs. Ann Lawery celebrated her 98th birthday on August 10th. We all would be very pleased if you could include a short story in the next "Woodpen's Hotline" to commemorate the event.

As you likely already know, Mrs. Lawery was Manager of the Westminster Room in the New Westminster Woodward's Store for many years. Jane De Marchi was the assist manager before she retired and Mary Dereume was also a co-worker.

I have attached a photograph of the three of them. Mrs. Lawery is seated with Jane De Marchi (my mother) on her left and Mary Dereume on her right. Mary Dereume was kind enought to write a short poem to commemorated the day.

It goes:

"To Mrs. Lawery on your 98th birthday

You've seen so many changes in your 98 years Some of which brought happiness Some, no doubt brought tears.

So, today, we want to celebrate the fact that you are here To meet with friends and enjoy your day With greeting most sincere Short and sweet, nothing flowery, Just Happy Birthday, Mrs. Lawery!"

Eva Stregger passed away peacefully on May 31, 2012 at Evergreen Baptist Home in White Rock. She had worked for Woodwards from 1947 - 1982 (35 years). She began her career in the downtown Woodwards Store and ended her career at the Warehouse. She loved her years at Woodwards and had fond memories of the many get togethers over the years especially enjoying her "Woodpens'" newsletters.

Tony Biltzan May 20th, 1935--May 27^th 2012. Tony was the Assistant Manager in the Toy Department of the Vancouver Store. Tony was promoted in the spring of 1964 to the management team of the new Kamloops Store. Tony left Woodward’s in early 1967 and moved to Vancouver to form Biltzan Agencies. However, he always remained a loyal Woodwardite and Woodpens’ Club member.

Maryanne Stanley passed away March 22,2012. Maryanne was a cashier at Guildford for 10 years, also worked in the shoe department and men's/boy's wear (not sure which store and if 10 years is the total years).

Marvin John Anhorn – passed away April 15^th, 2012

Marvin worked in the Bargain store for years and traveled extensively in the orient. He was a volunteer on the Woodward’s Golf Committee.

Two members of the Downtown bakery staff have passed away, Peggy Low in November, 2011 and Gloria Coulson on March 10^th, 2012. Gloria worked for Woodward’s bakery for 40 Years.

Betty Beverage

JACK & ARLEEN MAR CELEBRATE

THEIR 50th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Jack and Arleen are planning a celebration dinner and dance with family and close friends to take place July 7, at the Pacific Inn in White Rock. They are proud to reach this milestone anniversary.

Jack worked with Woodward's for 37 years, first in Visual Presentation and then in Advertising...retiring as Advertising / Marketing Manager for the company. His career took him from Port Alberni (his home town), to Calgary Chinook, Edmonton Corporate office and finally to downtown Vancouver Corporate office. He met his wife Arleen in the Calgary Chinook store when she transferred from Oakridge general office. They married June 9, 1962 in Calgary. He quotes..."Good things happen when you work with nice people in a good company". They have a son Kevin and a daughter Coreen and two grandchildren - Kendall and Colin...all who are living in Toronto. Both Arleen and Jack enjoy the lifestyle in White Rock and choose to make frequent visits to Toronto. Their favorite holiday destination is Hawaii.

Jack continues to be active with an acting career as well as heading the CARP Chapter in White Rock / Surrey. Arleen worked 20 years part time with school district 36. They are also very involved with their Strata Council at Sussex House and volunteer in other civic and senior groups.

Jack and Arleen have fond memories of their work and involvement with fun activities in the Woodward's organization...and the many friends and experiences in those 37 years. "We wish all our Woodward's family friends the best of health and continued success in their endeavours"

Jack & Arleen