BULAI, Judy Ann Alice (nee Hingtgen)

November 4, 1945 — August 2, 2020

It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Judy Bulai at Kelowna General Hospital on August 2, 2020, at the age of 74.

Judy filled our lives with her charm and dry sense of humor. Judy’s sudden passing is profoundly mourned by her daughter Angela Bulai of Kelowna, BC; and her son and his family Terry Bulai (Tina) of Lumsden, SK and his children Tyler Bulai (Ehrn) of Warman, SK and Tristyn Evans (Pat) of Craven, SK; her great-grandchildren Daxon Bulai and Brynlee Bulai of Warman, SK, and Jordyn Evans and Nova Evans of Craven, SK.  Judy is also survived by her brother Charlie Hingtgen (Lola) of Saskatoon, SK; her sister Joan Procure (Harry) of Stonewall, MB; sister-in-law Doris Hale (Fred) of Humbolt, SK; and many cherished and loved nieces and nephews and cousins. Judy was predeceased by her loving husband Edward Bulai; and her father Leonard Hingtgen and mother Jean Hingtgen.

Judy was born in 1945 in Ogema, SK to Leonard and Jean Hingtgen. She was the youngest child born who worked to help maintain the family’s grocery store in Dahinda, SK. Judy married the most outgoing, handsome, and adventurous Edward Bulai, in Regina, SK in 1963.

Judy and Eddie settled in Truax, SK for a few years then built a house and moved to Regina, SK. After embracing “city life”, Judy and Eddie decided to move to a farm in the district of Lumsden, SK.

Judy and Eddie worked very hard long years commuting from their farm in Truax and the farm in Lumsden. Judy was always the stoic, strong, incredible, superwoman who could cook a meal (for supper), combine a wheat field, hang the laundry on the line, and tend to the garden all with a positive attitude.

Judy and Eddie were fortunate to purchase a condo in the Waikiki Banyan on Oahu, Hawaii in 1977 with their children. Many winter months, escaping the cold Saskatchewan weather, were spent embracing the Hawaiian Island life. Judy’s favourite flower is the pink Hibiscus and her favorite day is Aloha Friday!!! Judy’s favorite song was “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” sung by Israel Kamakawio’ole while sitting on the patio of the Moana Surfrider in Hawaii enjoying a glass of wine.

Judy and Eddie decided to move from Saskatchewan to Kelowna, BC in the 1990s. Judy and her daughter opened a hair salon on Bernard Avenue, beside Woolworths at the time. Judy retired from the Bernard Ave salon, but never content to sit idle she opened Avita’s Salon and Spa on Harvey Ave. She proudly managed the front desk where she greeted clients and would share a joke that she had just read from the Reader Digest. In August 2009, Judy suffered the loss of Eddie, her beloved husband of 46 years. Though heartbroken, she spent many years in Bucerias Mexico with family and friends. She stayed active by playing golf and always looked forward to ladies night with her golf gals at Michaelbrook.

In 2015, Judy found companionship with Carmen Moerike from Ogema, SK. Judy and Carmen had the opportunity to travel which brought them great happiness on their many adventures to Europe, Mexico, and Texas.

She enjoyed many meat-draws at the Elks Lodge, where she was member, laughing and sharing stories with her Elk brothers and sisters. Judy was also a long-standing member of the Kelowna Yacht club and she belonged to the First United Church.

Judy lived life her way and will be dearly missed by her family and many friends.

As Judy was loved and admired by so many, a celebration of her extraordinary life will be held at a later date, when gathering in person is again possible.

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