Obituary of Thelma Harriet Benham

Thelma Harriet Benham

July 11, 1948 – December 28, 2017

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that our family announces the unexpected passing of Thelma Harriet Benham; beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt, at the age of 69 in Grande Prairie, Alberta on December 28, 2017.

Thelma was born a twin on July 11, 1948 and raised in Regina Saskatchewan; the baby of her large family of eleven.

Being married, and a mother, then divorced at a young age made for a challenging life for Thelma, one she tried to face with courage while taking things in stride.

Thelma had a love for animals, was outgoing with a good sense of humour and loved to be the center of attention.  At the age of 25 she and her children moved to Edmonton, Alberta for a short time before moving to Coquitlam, British Columbia where she spent the next 39 years raising her children, working, volunteering and making many close friends.

A decline in her health made it necessary for her to move to Beaverlodge, Alberta in order to live closer to her daughter. Unfortunately, after she moved, her health continued to decline which brought her to the Grande Prairie Care Center in the spring of 2014.  This is where Thelma lived out her last days, still making new friends, helping others, volunteering and telling lewd jokes, all the while still speaking her mind right up to her sudden death.  She will be greatly missed.

Thelma leaves behind to Celebrate her life, daughter Michelle Lett, son John (Juantia) Benham, twin sister Velma (Peter) Bowden, sisters Elsie (John) Varsegi, Bea Johnson, Bunny Mitchell; brothers Ted (Mary) Dietrich and  Ernie Dietrich, grandchildren Ashley, Charissa, Damara, Alyssa and Brett, and great grand daughter Anna.

She was predeceased by her father, Henry William Dietrich, mother Edith Alice (Hugo) Dietrich, sisters Boots Norris and Marlene McGuire, and step-siblings Margaret Smith and Carl Dietrich.

A Celebration of Life for Thelma will be held on February 10 at ? at the Royal Canadian Legion, Nutana Branch 362, 3021 Louise St. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan with Interment at the Robinson Cemetery, 621 Robinson Street, Coquitlam, British Columbia on June 29, 2018 at 2pm.

Memorial Donations in Thelma’s memory may be made to the Heart & Stroke Association #109 10126 120 Avenue, Grande Prairie, Alberta T8V 8H8

Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780-830-7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com