Birdeen June (Draves) OLSON

Birdeen June Olson passed away peacefully on the morning of June 4th, 2019 just shy of her 83rd birthday.  Birdeen was proud to have been raised as a ‘tough farm girl’ on the family farm in Keephills, Alberta, the second daughter of Richard Robert Draves and Anna Maria “Mary” (née Miller).  In 1957 she left the farm, but not the farm work ethic, and moved to British Columbia with her new husband Arnold Olson. Arnold and Birdeen settled and raised their only child Charlene in Nanaimo and Prince George. Birdeen enjoyed a long career with Sears in both Prince George and Nanaimo and made many friends whom she always remembered fondly. Upon retirement Arnold and Birdeen moved to his family home in Nanoose Bay to help out his parents and they both remained there until moving into The Gardens at Qualicum Beach.  Birdeen was pre-deceased by her parents Richard and Mary and all of her siblings; Melvin, Eileen, Raymond and Floyd. Birdeen is survived by her loving husband Arnold Herman Olson, her daughter Charlene Swanson (Cameron) and her two grand-children, Ian and Cassandra Swanson.  She is lovingly remembered by her nieces Betty Ann St. Louis (née Mielnichuk) and Donna Lee Sikora (née Mielnichuk) as well as her good friends Cheryl Constable and Heather Anderson.

Special thanks to all the staff on the 3rd Floor at The Gardens at Qualicum Beach, who besides providing exceptional care, were compassionate, kind and always appreciated Birdeen’s sense of humour and put a twinkle in her eye.

A visitation will held from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm on Friday, June 7th, 2019 in the Sunset Room at Yates Memorial Services, 1000 Allsbrook Rd., Parksville. Interment will occur in the Yates Cemetery on Tuesday, June 11th, 2019 at 11:00 am.

Lives Cherished and Celebrated