News & Events

January 5, 1970 - October 2, 2010

 

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Andrea Louise Spyker.  Strong in body, mind and spirit Andrea embodied the meaning of her name womanly warrior.  Fearless and always ready for an adventure, she convinced many a poor soul to join her on her exploits.  Andrea had a gift for bringing out the talents and strengths in others, compelling them to strive for better.  Andrea's infectious laugh and clever sense of humour brightened and lightened any gathering. Many have been the recipients of Andrea's generosity.  Andrea was born and spent her growing up years in Surrey, BC.  More recently, Andrea had established a successful lifestyle for herself in Cedar, BC, as Branch Manager of Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens.  This summer Andrea was thrilled to announce her engagement to Jay Searson.  Andrea's last months were spent happily making wedding arrangements.  Grieving her sudden departure are Andrea's beautiful daughter and source of pride and joy, Adrianna Spyker; Andrea's parents, Ralph and Jane Spyker, sister Karen Steegstra and her children Nathaniel, Ariel, Micaiah, Axel, Anastasia and Mahalia; brother Maurice Spyker with wife Hieke and their children Reuben, Eileesh, Samaria and Elias; and sister Nancy Spyker; as well as the family of Jay Searson.  Mourning alongside the family are many cousins, aunts, uncles, friends and co-workers.  A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Andrea Spyker was held on Tuesday, October 12, 1:00 pm, at People's Full Gospel Church, 14455 – 104 Avenue, Surrey, BC.  A reception followed at Valley View Memorial Gardens, 14644 – 72 Avenue, Surrey, BC. The family would like to extend their extreme gratitude to Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens, SANDS Funeral Chapel and Valley View Memorial Gardens for all the assistance and support they gave during this time.  View or sign Andrea's guest book.

  This certification program, through classroom and hands-on training, provides owners, operators, counsellors, funeral directors and industry personnel with the skills to efficiently operate crematorium equipment and the knowledge to cousel families accordingly.  Through understanding of the cremation process and environmental concerns you can protect the consumer by offering high standards of service.

 Wednesday October 6, 2010 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Valley View Memorial Gardens, 14660 - 72 Avenue, Surrey BC

Click here for Program Curriculum and Registration Form

 

Sandra Hewitson, CCABC Director (municipal representation), presented the CCABC 2010 Scholarships for the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association University (ICCFAU) to Kevin Bunnett and Jeffrey Young at the CCABC/FSABC joint annual conference in April. Kevin is employed by the City of Coquitlam and Jeffrey is employed by Personal Alternative^®Funeral Services Ltd. in Aldergrove BC. Kevin’s first choice college selection is ‘College of Land Management & Grounds Operations’ and his second choice is ‘College of Administration & Management’. Jeffrey’s first choice college selection is ‘College of Funeral Home Management’ and his second choice is ‘J. Asher Neel College of Sales & Marketing’. They will attend the 2010 ICCFAU from July 22nd to 28th in Memphis TN. Kevin and Jeffrey will have the opportunity to attend presentations by our profession’s top Professors. The CCABC believes that increased education leads to more skilled practitioners.

Each year the CCABC membership recognizes a CCABC member who has made a significant contribution to the CCABC, their community or nation. Rob Hilton, CCABC Director (supplier representation), presented the 2009 Monsignor Nunzio Defoe Service Recognition Award to Marcel Bourassa, City of Kamloops, at the CCABC/FSABC joint annual convention in April. Marcel completed, with his retirement in December 2009, a 35-year career with the City of Kamloops. His last position was as cemetery crew leader, a role he held with inherent pride, providing exemplary service to Kamloops’ families. Marcel is considered dedicated, innovative, always helpful and is well respected by his peers, managers and cemetery clientele. He was instrumental in making the City of Kamloops cemeteries well recognized provincially for the high standard of maintenance and service levels provided at these key public amenities. In addition, Marcel was an active CCABC Board member (municipal representation) and successfully coordinated cemetery maintenance operations workshops for Association members. As an advocate and supporter of the Communities in Bloom initiatives in helping beautify the city cemeteries and community at large, he played a vital role in Kamloops being awarded the National Award in both 2004 and 2009, and the International Award in 2006. Marcel is continuing his cemetery activities post-retirement by mentoring his successor for an interim period.