WANECK, Christine

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November 22, 1949 – May 21, 2021

With profound sadness, we announce that Christine Bonavia Waneck (née Young) passed away peacefully on May 21, 2021, after a short and very courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Redruth, Cornwell, England in 1949, to the late Cecil Henry Young and Marjorie Bonavia Mick. She was the eldest sibling of Madelaine, Jacqueline, and Richard Yioung. Christine moved with her family to Canada in 1956. She attended Vernon Secondary School, where she was a proud member of the Vernon Girl’s Trumpet band. She then moved to the Kootenays in 1971. She lived off the land with her husband, they turned a bare piece of land in Lemon Creek into a house and home. She was a true pioneer woman, washing diapers in the creek and sewing by kerosene light.

Christine made lifelong friends from her days in the Kootenays and was known for her kindness, humor, and energetic spark. The neighborhood kids knew her well as she often babysat, sewed, and cooked her famous cookies for all. Her creative spirit was seen in sewing, creating clothing for her family, and intricate doll clothes that were often sold at craft fairs and local shops.

After her marriage breakdown and her daughter, Jessica, headed to college, Christine decided it was time for a new challenge. She built a little house on a piece of land and made a home all of her own in the Crescent Valley; she loved this little house. In the later part of the 90s, she returned to the Okanagan to live in Vernon, BC to be closer to family. She gravitated towards working in hardware stores, being around like-minded ‘DIY’ people. Her life experiences let her know a little bit about everything.

Shortly after the birth of her cherished grandson Brayden Arnott in 2005, she relocated to Kelowna, BC, so she could enjoy being a big part of his childhood. This was so very important and precious to her. She was the energetic, active, and fun grandma that came to every one of his concerts, shows, and birthdays. She was always in the front row cheering the loudest!

While in Kelowna she worked at Home Depot and loved being a part of the “reno” crowd. Her creative spirit began to soar during this time, and she started to discover her amazing art skills. She painted beautiful paintings of Mandalas, scenery, nature, and intricate art on rocks, and any other medium which let her show how truly talented she was. She loved showcasing her art at local craft fairs and art walks and meeting other like-minded creative locals. After she retired in 2019, she was able to spend more time on her art and enjoyed time with her family.

Christine will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Jessica Hamel, and her grandson Brayden Arnott; as well as by her siblings Madelaine Kineshanko, Jacqueline Worth, and Richard Young; and her nephews Ben Kineshanko & Tom Kineshanko, and Casey Mielnichuk & Tyler Mielnichuk; and all our dear friends She will be greatly missed

A celebration of life will be held once it is safe to do so.

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