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BORN
07/19/1926
DIED
10/25/2025
Yvonne Couling Obituary
It is with heavy hearts that we wish to announce the peaceful passing of Yvonne (Bonnie) Couling at 99 years of age, at her home in West Vancouver on October 25, 2025. Predeceased by her loving husband Bill on October 17, 2024. They were devoted to each other for 75 years. Bonnie will be dearly missed by children, Lynda Alfreds (Kim), Debbie Tremblay (Ray), David Couling (Debbie), Dianne Corlin (Steve), 9 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Bonnie is survived by a sister, Shirley Klimovich of Nashville, Tennessee, many nieces, nephews, and their families. Bonnie loved them all and enjoyed keeping in touch.
Bonnie was born on July 19, 1926, in Swift Current General Hospital to Jessie and Archie Battrum. They resided in the town of Battrum, Saskatchewan, with their six children, Joyce, Bill, Bonnie, Dolores, Shirley, and Herb. They were a very close-knit family. In 1934, the family moved from their two-room house into the Battrum Railway Station, which gave them more room.
Some of Bonnie's most pleasant memories of Battrum were sleigh-riding in the winter on the big hill and looking up at the northern lights. Bonnie loved the dances in the Community Hall. Everyone in Battrum was there, including all of the children. Various local orchestras played, and at midnight, coffee, sandwiches, and cakes were served while the children slept.
Bonnie attended Battrum School from Grade one to Grade thirteen. It was a one-room schoolhouse that consisted of one teacher for all grades. Bonnie enjoyed competing with other schools on School Field Days. She was athletic and also played 3rd base on the local baseball team. Her sister, Joyce, played 1st base.
Bonnie left Battrum with her parents for Vancouver in September 1944. Bonnie's father joined the R.C.A.F. and was transferred to Sea Island Air Force Base, as postmaster, in Vancouver, B.C. Bonnie began work in the Vancouver Post Office and then B.C.Telephone Company before taking a position running the post office for Cunningham's Drug Store.
In the summer of 1949, at Wreck Beach in Vancouver, Bonnie met the love of her life, Bill Couling. Bill was a professional musician. He played oboe in the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, C.B.C. Radio, Victoria Symphony, Calgary Symphony, Halifax Symphony, Theatre Under The Stars, and performed at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. He also had a day job at Mainland Transfer. It was love at first sight for Bill, and he soon proposed to the song "Tenderly" playing on the record player. They were married within six months. Their song was "Tenderly". Mom sang it until she passed. Theirs was a real love story and an inspiration to everyone who knew them.
Bonnie and Bill married on January 27, 1950, the coldest January on record! They made their home in South Burnaby, where they had four children. They moved to West Vancouver in December of 1965. They enjoyed travelling together. They had several wonderful trips and made many friends on their travels. Their home was warm, welcoming, and often the gathering place for family, extended family, and friends. Bonnie was so loved and will be dearly missed. Bonnie had a phrase she often said right up until she passed, which now gives us some comfort and a smile. It was, "Don't worry. Be happy."
The family would like to thank the caregivers, Evelyn, Marisol, Jocelyn, Helen, and others provided by Hero Home Care, for their kind and gentle care given to Mom right up to the end.
The family would also like to thank Dr. Sandra Wiebe. We are so grateful for her constant support and guidance. She has been available for questions at all hours and even visited Mom many times. Dr. Wiebe has been Mom's doctor for over 30 years. We are deeply appreciative for the above and beyond care Dr. Wiebe gave to Mom.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a Charity of Your Choice. To write a condolence to the family, please visit mckenziefuneralservices.com.
Bonnie was born on July 19, 1926, in Swift Current General Hospital to Jessie and Archie Battrum. They resided in the town of Battrum, Saskatchewan, with their six children, Joyce, Bill, Bonnie, Dolores, Shirley, and Herb. They were a very close-knit family. In 1934, the family moved from their two-room house into the Battrum Railway Station, which gave them more room.
Some of Bonnie's most pleasant memories of Battrum were sleigh-riding in the winter on the big hill and looking up at the northern lights. Bonnie loved the dances in the Community Hall. Everyone in Battrum was there, including all of the children. Various local orchestras played, and at midnight, coffee, sandwiches, and cakes were served while the children slept.
Bonnie attended Battrum School from Grade one to Grade thirteen. It was a one-room schoolhouse that consisted of one teacher for all grades. Bonnie enjoyed competing with other schools on School Field Days. She was athletic and also played 3rd base on the local baseball team. Her sister, Joyce, played 1st base.
Bonnie left Battrum with her parents for Vancouver in September 1944. Bonnie's father joined the R.C.A.F. and was transferred to Sea Island Air Force Base, as postmaster, in Vancouver, B.C. Bonnie began work in the Vancouver Post Office and then B.C.Telephone Company before taking a position running the post office for Cunningham's Drug Store.
In the summer of 1949, at Wreck Beach in Vancouver, Bonnie met the love of her life, Bill Couling. Bill was a professional musician. He played oboe in the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, C.B.C. Radio, Victoria Symphony, Calgary Symphony, Halifax Symphony, Theatre Under The Stars, and performed at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. He also had a day job at Mainland Transfer. It was love at first sight for Bill, and he soon proposed to the song "Tenderly" playing on the record player. They were married within six months. Their song was "Tenderly". Mom sang it until she passed. Theirs was a real love story and an inspiration to everyone who knew them.
Bonnie and Bill married on January 27, 1950, the coldest January on record! They made their home in South Burnaby, where they had four children. They moved to West Vancouver in December of 1965. They enjoyed travelling together. They had several wonderful trips and made many friends on their travels. Their home was warm, welcoming, and often the gathering place for family, extended family, and friends. Bonnie was so loved and will be dearly missed. Bonnie had a phrase she often said right up until she passed, which now gives us some comfort and a smile. It was, "Don't worry. Be happy."
The family would like to thank the caregivers, Evelyn, Marisol, Jocelyn, Helen, and others provided by Hero Home Care, for their kind and gentle care given to Mom right up to the end.
The family would also like to thank Dr. Sandra Wiebe. We are so grateful for her constant support and guidance. She has been available for questions at all hours and even visited Mom many times. Dr. Wiebe has been Mom's doctor for over 30 years. We are deeply appreciative for the above and beyond care Dr. Wiebe gave to Mom.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a Charity of Your Choice. To write a condolence to the family, please visit mckenziefuneralservices.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by North Shore News from Nov. 12 to Dec. 12, 2025.
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