Uleta Freda FORTUNE

1933 - 2022

Uleta Freda Svean was born to Freda Magdalena Skaley of Prussian/Ukrainian heritage and Herman Edward Svean of Norwegian descent in what she lovingly called 'the bush' outside WestBank (Kelowna). Growing up without electricity or running water, Uleta roamed the countryside with her younger brothers Keith & Harlen, and daily walked four miles through the bush to catch the ferry to school. As a teenager she was driving logging trucks, running huge saws and training the new men employed at her father's saw mill.

Uleta excelled in school, graduating two years early and started independent life working at the bank. Looking for adventure, turning 18 she noticed a military recruitment office and signed up on the spot to the surprise of her family. Ten weeks later, she secured a position as a Security Officer for the Royal Canadian Air Force where she worked five years in Special Investigations across Canada including the Yukon. She was respected as a no-nonsense woman who was always in on the action.

Leaving the Airforce to marry English RAF Pilot Officer John Edgar Fortune, she had two children: Douglas and Peter. Uleta brought her Gregg shorthand and quick study to her various jobs and projects where she was exec secretary for UofA's Ludwig von Bertalanffy and various Lethbridge law firms, owned and operated The Royal Anchor family resort in Naramata, and fundraised & built the Harbor House women's shelter during her term leading the Lethbridge YWCA. Subscribed to the German Burda fashion magazine, she sewed her own clothes and was always fashionably ahead of North America. An avid traveller, she bested the men skeet shooting off a cruise ship in Bermuda, soaked in Icelandic hotpools, retraced her roots in Norway, attended operas in Italy, sampled the cuisine on European river boats, and explored Latin America. Uleta founded the Peninsula Newcomers with three other women in 1987. To the end, Uleta continued to devour a different book every day, sew, quilt, crochet, knit, watercolours, textile art, and participate in many arts, reading and volunteer groups.

Uleta was always on top of the times, commenting on the paper and online news every day. She wouldn't hesitate to dive into her work, walk into a lake, provide timely advice, or nab a scoop of ice-cream. Uleta's strength of character, sharp mind, love of learning, elegance, and steadfast support of her family and friends define her life and her legacy. Just days after celebrating her 89th birthday Uleta suddenly collapsed and passed away gently in the loving care of her family. She is remembered and survived by her cousin Elena who has remained a dear friend since childhood, sons Doug and Pete who see her as a pillar of strength and independence, granddaughters Karys and Hannah who fondly remember the stories and skills she passed on, her grandchild Alexandre, great grandchild Roslynd, and her brothers' families (Kory, Brenda, Kim, Shelly, Sherry, Tom & Marty) and many friends who all felt her love. Skipping a traditional service, she wished her ashes be returned home to the Okanagan.