SCHRAM, Josephine Elizabeth (neé​ Gabara)

January 12, 1931 — March 16, 2021

Josephine Elizabeth Schram (neé Gabara) was born on January 12, 1931 to Joseph and Helen Gabara in Ghost Pine Creek, Alberta.

She passed away peacefully on March 16, 2021 in Kelowna, BC at the age of 90 years.

Josie grew up in the lower mainland and after she married Eugene Zado in 1948, she moved to Calgary, Alberta where her first three children were born. Later two more children were born to this union in Langley, BC.

In 1960 she married Harold Bradford, who had five children. For the first two years of their marriage they lived in Lamming Mills, and from there they moved to Grandview Flats. Two more children were born to this union. In 1976 they moved to Kelowna.

She married Bert Schram in 1989 and had a happy three years with him before he passed. She cherished and loved him and his family dearly for the time they had.

Josie was a loving mother, grandma, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was a hard worker, loved helping people and would give the shirt off her back if there was someone in need. She sponsored children overseas, knitted over 120 baby sweater sets for iServe in the last few years of her life, and helped out in various other capacities in her church. Josie’s love of gardening showed with her bountiful vegetable garden and her beautiful flowers. She was a woman of God with a strong faith and kind heart. She was loved by many.

She is survived by numerous family members:
Children: Gloria (Leroy) Harland, Cheryl Johnson, Marilyn Bradford, John Zado, Janice Bradford (Rob Armstrong), and Carolyn Bradford (Nick Tytor); Step-children Grace (Bob) Redekopp, Lyle (Rose) Bradford, Myrna (Henry) Jones, and Jim (Elvie) Bradford; Grandchildren: Tammy (Ken Weiss), Stephanie Harland (Manny Almeida), Brad Harland, Chad (Landy) Johnson, Ewanah (Rafal) Johnson – Toczylowski, Melissa (Tim) Atwood, Josh (Maja) Huether, Mayegan (Byron) Lovely, Marlayna Zado, Aaron Bradford, Autumn Bradford, Laurel (Shane) Gibbons, Cole Moore, Jasmine Moore (Joel Chalifoux) Clayton Moore, Cayla Christy, Erica Christy (Nathan Tralenberg), Joel Harley, and Jaidyn Harley; Step-grandchildren: Joyce Redekopp, Glenda Redekopp, Rob Redekopp, Brenda Bradford, Rhonda Taylor, Glenda Bradford, Donalda Briggs, Andy Briggs, Julia Black, Roger Tilstra, David Coltman, Hope Coltman, Wesley Bradford, Dan Bradford, Lana Beierbach, and Sandra Bradford; Siblings Noreen Gabara, Art Gabara, Marion (Johnny) Lilbeck, Mike (Linda) Gabara, Tommy (Ena) Gabara, Donna (Gordon) Dodgson, Carol (Al) Curtis, and Vickie (Jerry) Roraph; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was predeceased by her father Joseph Gabara, mother Helen Gabara (neé Malaka), husband Bert Schram, son Barry Bradford, brother Bob Gabara, sister Elaine Cadsand, step-daughter Marion Coltman, step-grandchildren Bonnie Tilstra, and Chris Briggs, son-in-law Dwight Johnson, and daughter-in-law Pamela Zado.

A celebration of life for Josie will be held when Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

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