We Remember
COVERT, Helen “Elaine” (nee August)
February 7, 1945 — December 4, 2015
Passed away on December 4, 2015 at the age of 70. Elaine was born February 7, 1945 in Vancouver, BC. During the spring of 1945 her parents, Harold and Helen August, decided to move to Kelowna, BC to raise their family. In 1962 Elaine was Miss Kiwanis and ran for Lady-of-Lake. During her childhood she excelled in swimming, riding, and obedience dog training. She was a member of the Kelowna Riding Club, Canadian Kennel Club, Water Ski Club, and Ogopogo Swim Club. Elaine graduated from KSS in 1963. She moved to Vancouver to attend the University of British Columbia in the fall of 1963. Elaine was on the Thunderbird swim team and held the record for back stroke at UBC for many years. Elaine was the first woman from Kelowna to graduate from UBC with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. She married Calvin Covert on July 16, 1969. They both shared a deep love for horses. They lived in California where Calvin trained racehorses and they began their family. Allison May was born February 13, 1971. After moving back to the Okanagan they had a second daughter, Catherine Paige, on January 29, 1973. And on May 3, 1975 their son, Christopher Drew was born in New Westminster while Calvin trained thoroughbreds at Hastings Park (Exhibition Park). In 1979 Elaine moved back to Kelowna to start her own farm, Cottonwood Thoroughbreds. While running her own farm she also worked at Mission Creek Farm. She produced many successful racehorses such as Ring a Rosie, Kelsey, and Zatz Best. She had a deep love for all animals and they were a large part of her life. She professionally raised many animals including dogs, horses, and goats. In addition to her family and her animals, Elaine had a love for computers. She bought her first computer in 1983 and used them extensively within her businesses. She will be lovingly remembered by Terry, and his son Landon; her children Allison Covert (Jamie Demetrick), Kiff (Melanie) Covert, and Cathy (Kipp) Krivoshein; her grandchildren Paige, Emily, Joe, Kaley, Riley, Kody and Lily; and last, but not least, her two cats Bob and Mac. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, December 21, 2015 at 10:00 am at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to New Stride (info@newstride.com), 778-985-5673. If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Service
Monday, December 21, 2015 at 10:00 am
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
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In lieu of flowers donations can be made to New Stride (info@newstride.com), 778-985-5673
Memorial donations can be made to New Stride (info@newstride.com), 778-985-5673 Link: www.newstride.com
Service Information
Service Details
The service for COVERT, Helen “Elaine” (nee August) is scheduled for Monday, December 21, 2015 at 10:00 am . Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
Springfield Funeral Home
2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
Elaine and I had a long friendship over the years. We grew up very close to one another in Kelowna where I remember falling out of a tree in her front yard!
We taught swimming together in our summers and shared adventures riding horses. In 1967 we lived together while attending UBC.
I went to visit Elaine in California after she married and was living south of San Francisco. Calvin was training at Golden Gate Park.
Although we lived far apart for most of our adult life, Elaine was always in my thoughts. She came to visit me when I moved back to BC from Colorado, in 2004 , and we shared lots of stories about our trials and tribulations. We shared our sorrows and renewed our friendship.
I will miss you dear friend. Losing you feels like losing part of my childhood. Sydney
Elaine and I became friends 57 years ago. That’s very special. When I moved to Kelowna with my family and my horse, and settled on Abbott St., it was not long before I met Elaine. She and I shared many interests. We were animal lovers, we swam on the Ogopogo Swim team, we rode together and showed our horses in local events, we competed for good marks in school, we were room mates at UBC. We pushed each other to be better. We encouraged and comforted each other through the emotional ups and downs of teenage love stories. She was my bridesmaid and I was hers. We basked in the glow of young motherhood and embraced the arrival of each others children. Coming of age in Kelowna in the late 50’s and early 60’s was magical. Elaine and I along with Sydney Shaw and Ruth Gillespie and Judy Charter and Wendy Kerfoot and many others enjoyed time on Hot Sands beach, at the Aquatic Club, at the teen town dances and on the lake. I am truly saddened to lose Elaine from my life, but I have wonderful memories of living the dream along with her and our special group of friends. I will miss her.
Elaine and I were classmates with our common love revolving around horses. We both competed in the Kelowna Riding Club horse shows. Our paths never physically crossed again but her name always remained among those that I considered my high school friends with Pat Buckland being our common link. It is always sad to lose one of your classmates. Sally
My most heart felt condolences to a family very dear to me .A great lose to all. To Allison, Cathy and Ciffy ,a mother ,to the grandkids ,a grand mother. To others a friend ,someone to confide in. Elaine loved her critters ,big and small . It didn,t matter if it was a cat ,a dog or a horse .She drove to Alberta to get an old family raised mare ,Pixie Piper.She came home like she had just found a golden treasure beyond any expectations.Elaine was a person not easy to forget. I had the pleasure of working along side her,always learning and striving to be better. Well i guess it is time to say ‘’ MAY THE SUN ALWAYS SHINE ON YOU ,HAVE THE WIND AT YOUR BACK and MAY YOU ALWAYS RIDE A SOFT HORSE ‘’ . God bless .KIDS remember your mom ,keep her in your hearts forever. all my love Larry
I met Elaine because our kids went to Casorso school together, and all join me in sending condolences to those dear children . We got a kitten from your family named Soda! So these greetings come from Jacki Kofoed Nybo, Jillian Kofoed Buechi, Leah Kofoed Jones and Jeremy Kofoed.
Elaine and I were the same age, too young to have to say Good bye to children and grandchildren! I admired your Mom and I am sure you will treasure your memories of your life together! Best wishes to the family. With love and care, Jack and Lee Kofoed
So happy to read all these wonderful remembrances of our dear friend. Farewell dear Elaine. I will always remember you. Sydney
I met Elaine when I was a child, but I’ll never forget it. I went to school with Kiff and our class went on a field-trip which was capped off with a brief ride on one of Elaine’s beautiful horses. I remember I was terrified of the horses and was very reluctant to get on one… Elaine gently but firmly scooped me up and placed me on the back of one and led us around 12 paces forward and 12 paces back. I was in awe of her – Elaine was Wonder Woman in my mind; beautiful, fearless, strong and so kind to a shy, nervous kid.
My deepest condolences to the family.