RUSSELL, Emilia (nee Popp)

February 13, 1936 — January 11, 2013

Emilia Russell of Kelowna, BC, formerly of Hudson Bay, SK, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer and pneumonia, with her loving sister Eugenia by her side.  Emilia, with her love and courageous heart will be sadly missed by her family and many friends.  Her husband William (Bill) predeceased her on August 26, 2003.

Emilia was the 13^th child, born to Dumitru (Dan) Popp and his wife Rachila.  She was delivered at home in Bjorkdale, SK with the help of her father and Mrs. Jeffries, a midwife from England.  She only weighed 15 oz. at birth and no one expected her to survive.  Mrs. Jeffries stayed an extra two days to help and keep vigil.  She had to be fed with an eye dropper and her little cry was very faint.  She got her strength from her mother who bathed her with olive oil every day for the first three months and was kept in a box lined with wool and flannel and warmed on the oven door.  No one thought that a baby that tiny could survive without an incubator.   As time went by her body, spirit and heart grew stronger.  She survived pneumonia at one year old and at three years old she fell in a well.  After that, she never looked back.  She was so loving and giving and was such a joy to everyone.

In 1939 the family moved to the new block of homesteads opened at Erwood, SK, where the family was able to farm by the Smoky Ridge.  Emilia went to Bluefield School, this was where she took all her schooling.

In 1968 Emilia met the love of her life when Bill Russell came to work for a while on her parent’s farm.  Emilia and Bill were wed November 9, 1968 and lived in Hudson Bay, where their only son, Wayne, who was born on November 11, 1971.  Wayne still lives on the family home in Hudson Bay.

Emilia was always loving and giving.  She loved all the farm animals and especially flowers and gardening.  With her husband Bill, she always had lovely flowers in her Hudson Bay home and garden.  Emilia lived in Kelowna with her loving sister Eugenia.  There, they have spent the last eight years enjoying each other’s company and lives.

Emilia was predeceased by her parents Rachila and Dumitru (Dan); a brother and two sisters in infancy; brothers Stephen, Danny, John and Constantine (Dode) and sisters Emma Knudson and Genevieve Haitsma.

She is survived by her brothers Peter Popp (Solange) and Miles Popp and sisters Eugenia Letteney and Alexandria “Zana” Hayworth (Don) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  We love you, our sweet Emilia!

A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 11:00 am at the Hudson Bay Legion Hall.  Interment to follow in the Hudson Bay Town Cemetery.