Obituary of Harriet (Hattie) Benson (McCollum)
January 18, 1924 – January 10, 2018
Hattie was born to Melville & Libby McCollum in Oyen, Alberta on January 18, 1924. As a child she moved to Peace River country to reside and attended school in Royce. Hattie married Bill Benson and had two girls, Irene Portsmouth and Lois Whiteman.
Over the years she moved around the area to Chester, Montagneuse Valley, Eureka River, and Hines Creek. In 1960 Hattie moved to Ponoka and then to Parksville, British Columbia; Vancouver and lastly Hines Creek. Her last years have been at Continuing Care in Fairview where she passed away on January 10th, just 8 days short of her 95th birthday. In her lifetime she was a hard-working farm wife, club organizer, rig cook, ward aide, postal employee and church elder.
She was pre-deceased by her parents; sister Melinda Satre (Martin); brother Lyman McCollum (Jeanne); husband Bill, daughter Lois Whiteman, and a loving partner Jim Ellis.
She is survived by daughter Irene Portsmouth (Dale), grandchildren Lanny (Anita), Craig (Tammy), Sandra Bjornson (Jay), Travis Whiteman, Jill (Mike) Renaud; great grandchildren Breeanna (Kyle) Kehler, Kirk (Sam), Kira, Cole, Kirsten (Jesse), Nolan & Joel Bjornson, Page, Ashton Whiteman, Emily and Cooper Renaud, also many nieces and nephews.
At her request there will be no funeral. She be interred to lay beside Bill sometime during the summer.
Donations in her memory may be forwarded to Continuing Care in Fairview, 10628 110 Street, Fairview, Alberta T0H 1L0.
Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780-835-3306 www.bearcreekfuneral.com
