Lenora F. 'Nee King' Churcher

Lenora Churcher (nee King), an accomplished, creative and kind woman, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on December 19 2015, in her 95th year. Left to cherish her memory are children Dar, Bob and Trevor; step-grandchildren Shauna Leblond (Steve) and Sheldon Steed (Lexi); grandson Rob (Krystal); step-great grandsons Cole Gueho, Angus and Johnny Steed; great grand daughter Victoria Churcher; sister-in-law Agnes King; and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. Predeceased by parents Oliver Joseph & Mary King; husband Master Warrant Officer Walter Robert Churcher; sister Ann Miller (Bob); brother Bill King (Kay) and brother Frank King (Agnes). Lenora was born to Austrian/Ukrainian parents in Winter, Saskatchewan and grew up alongside her older siblings, Ann, Bill and Frank in Biggar, Sask. As young children they enjoyed Saturday movies at the Majestic Theatre. It was there that Lenora would watch her favourite skating star, the famous Sonja Henie. Since there were no instructors at the local rink Lenora taught herself to figure skate by memorizing and copying Henie's onscreen technique. Lenora went on to teach other youngsters to skate and at the age of 23 she choreographed and directed an ambitious Kiddies Skating Review with over 100 costumes to raise funds for the Biggar swimming pool. A member of the Saskatoon Figure Skating Club, ‘Miss King' also enjoyed pair dancing and performed with the Club on tour. In 1947 Lenora moved to ‘the Coast' and as a single young woman, worked at Spencer's Store, Eatons (where she enjoyed singing in the Eaton's Choir) and the Poodle Dog Café. She went on to become a white-gloved waitress in the prestigious dining room of the Empress Hotel and served various celebrities including ‘Wacky' Bennett. Lenora also became a member of the Victoria Figure Skating Club and enjoyed performing in the ‘Ice Capers' shows at Memorial Arena. Occasionally Lenora made time in her busy life for volunteer work and on one fortuitous day a friend asked Lenora to visit a (handsome) sailor who was languishing in bed at the Navy Hospital in Esquimalt. She befriended this burly, bearded man named 'Bob' (Churcher) and a few years later married him! Not long afterwards Bob sailed off for an extended tour of duty in Korea whereupon Lenora returned to Biggar to visit her parents and give birth to baby #1, a daughter. In 1954, when Dar(lene) was 11 months old husband Bob finally came home, reuniting with Lenora and meeting Dar for the very first time. The threesome then moved to Abbotsford, B.C. where Bob junior was soon born. Like other military families it wasn't long before they were on the move again and this time they resettled on Vancouver Island in married quarters at Belmont Park, Colwood. Lenora contributed to their new community as a brownie pack and guide leader. Old home movies depict Lenora proudly leading her uniformed brood along the packed Inner Harbour causeway to catch a glimpse of visiting royalty, HRH Princess Margaret. In 1958, wanting to become a submariner, Bob relocated his young family to Southsea, Portsmouth, England. The following year during a royal naval ceremony in which Bob stood to attention, in line for the grand ‘inspection', he had the honour of being addressed by and speaking with her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Not surprisingly, the newspaper photograph illustrating that meeting was sent to every single relative back home in Canada! Life was always full of the unexpected and the next year was no exception when Bob and Lenora's third child Trevor made his first appearance at Bowlands Naval Maternity Hospital. While Bob was seafaring all over the globe, Mum Lenora raised her young children and worked in the home as a professional seamstress. She was a fabulous costume designer and over the years sewed a multitude of outfits for the children who attended the local Dancing School. Whether ballet, national dance or modern stage costumes, she made them all! In 1968, after ten years in jolly old England it was time to return home to Canada. Bob was commissioned on the HMS Okanagan in Chatham, Kent in the summer of 1968 and it was on this submarine that he sailed back to his homeland. Lenora and their three children returned next in a very slow and noisy prop plane while the family poodle, Polo, travelled in luxury via jet plane! The Churchers first settled in Dartmouth, N.S., then in 1971, after a 13 year absence and with much anticipation, the family took up roots again in Victoria. Sadly, in 1972, after just having settled into their retirement home in Colwood, Bob passed away aged 47. A few months shy of 30 years' service in the navy, MWO W.R. Churcher was given a full military funeral at the Naden Naval Chapel and burial at Veterans' Cemetery, Esquimalt. As a relatively young widow, Lenora marched on fearlessly - hard work and determination had always been her hallmark. For years she enjoyed serving as a waitress at the famous Princess Mary Restaurant and was to all accounts a real favourite amongst diners. Upon retirement, Lenora rekindled her passion for figure skating by joining the Juan de Fuca Figure Skating Club. Throughout her late sixties and seventies, under the tutelege of several valued instructors, Lenora undertook official CFSA dance and pairs tests. She was 2 days shy of her 79th birthday when she passed her final test, the Willow Waltz, and was awarded the junior bronze badge. Lenora loved helping out young skaters and was regularly costumed as Mrs. Claus at Christmastime. This senior skater also had a wonderful comradeship within the circle of her adult skating friends. At a Juan de Fuca Skating Club Review, Lenora is fondly remembered for her smashing solo performance to the music, ‘Second Hand Rose'.
Lenora was a devoted mother, a great cook and an avid gardener. As a senior she also attended ceramic classes. In recent years Lenora enjoyed playing bell choir (director Rachelle said she had ‘great rhythm!') and having fun with her friends at Selkirk Lodge. Lenora loved to entertain and spend time with family and was very proud of her grandson Rob and great grand daughter Victoria. Mrs. Lenora Churcher was known for her infectious smile, her ‘spunk' and for spreading cheer. An inspirational woman who lived a full life with love and grace, Lenora will be greatly missed by all those many friends and family members whose lives she enriched. Rest in Peace dearest Mumsie. A Celebration of Life service is planned for later this year.

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