Ursula Martha Skihar

Ursula Martha Skihar January 30, 1924 - May 2, 2016 Ursula Martha Skihar aged 87 years passed away peacefully at Lynn Valley Care Center North Vancouver May 2, 2016. She is survived by her husband Metro Skihar, eldest daughter Anita Skihar, husband Lance Bethell , granddaughter Aubrie Girou and family, grandson Calvin Chaylt. Second daughter Linda Ross, husband David Ross and their children Austin, Cydney and Farren Ross. Sister Lena Heinmeyer, husband Gerd and sons Dirk and Jens of Germany. Ursula grew up in Germany and sailed to Canada with her best friend Erika and others at the age of 21 docking in Halifax October 27, 1951. She took the train across the country to Vancouver and worked as a nanny and then decided with Erika to continue their adventure, traveling to the mining town of Bralorne B.C. where she would meet her husband. Ursula enjoyed the small town of Bralorne, worked as a waitress, participated in community events, curled, bowled, and enjoyed spending time at Big Gun Lake and Tyaughton Lake. Ursula got her great legs walking up all the hills selling Avon in her gum boots. Ursula , Metro and their 2 girls left Bralorne when the mine was closing in 1969 and moved to Surrey then Burnaby where they purchased a home. Burnaby became home and she began to work at the Hudson Bay Company in Vancouver. The "Bay Girls" were formed ,frequenting the St. Regis bar for 25 cent beers and laughs. Their friendship prevails today. The Burnaby home hosted many New Years Eve day soiree's, Sunday family and friend meals as well as drop-ins for dinner. Once the girls left the family home Ursula and Matt moved to Ladner and enjoyed their new community of friends and activities. Ursula volunteered with the Kinsmen Community Center where she created good friendships and had happy times. While in Ladner Ursula hardly ever missed her crack of dawn swim and read her way through the Ladner libraries mystery section. She and Matt moved into assisted living in North Vancouver in 2014 to be closer to family. Ursula maintained her sense of humour, love of people, appreciation for family, always accompanied by a great level of sarcasm. She adored her 5 grand children who called her Omie. We will all miss her so very much. The family would like to acknowledge the very compassionate care of staff on the second floor Manor of Lynn Valley Care Center. A special hug to Eva, Roya, Kristie, MJ, Mary and Dr. Norton.

The family would like to invite friends and acquaintances to a celebration of Ursula's life at Louis Gervias' Fine Foods & Catering 850 Harbourside Dr. in North Vancouver on May 29th from 1-5pm. Please donate to the BC Cancer Society rather than bringing flowers, this would be Ursula's preference.