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April 26, 2020
Beautiful all the way through. Nell Chernichen was our mother, the love of our father's life, the heart of our home. She was kind, graceful and generous, offering compassion and a helping hand whenever she encountered someone in need. She dedicated her life to her family, friends, community and faith. She asked only that we love one another and find happiness in return. She was the healing center of every circle she joined. She listened to anyone who needed to be heard, gave comfort and hope to everyone who spent time with her. She had a captivating smile and infectious sense of humour. She made us laugh at the most inappropriate times, finding fun in bright and dark times. She could make a dollar go farther than anyone, made cinnamon buns, bread, perogies and prime rib dinners that made sure we all hurried home for dinner. She grew gardens and canned the bounty, all while raising five very busy children, six if you count dad. She saw the world as a place that needed a lot of love and opened her arms and her heart in response.
Nell left this world on Sunday, April 26, 2020 at the age of 86. She died at her Sidney BC home in the care of family and close friends. She will be remembered with sorrow and joy by her children Michael (Tracy), Catherine Getty, Jeffrey and Carolyn (Jim); her grandchildren Audrey, William, Michael, Ashley, Kirk, Eric, Sara, Florencia, Federico, Elliott and Hannah; her brother Ron Wharton (Sharon) and sisters Dorraine Robb (Bronko), Elaine Evans, Dorothy Wharton and Mary Wharton; her brother-in-law Don Chernichen (Nina) and sister-in-law Marg Carroll; nieces and nephews and friends too numerous to count. Nell was predeceased by her husband Bill in 2006 with whom she shared 50 years of marriage, her daughter Jacqueline (2011) and her first child, a daughter who died 4 days after birth (1956). She was also predeceased by her sister Ann and brothers Bob, Ed, Jim, Terry and Jack, as well as several brothers- and sisters-in-law.
A celebration of Nell's life will be held in Sidney when public gatherings are again allowed. In the meantime, we would like to thank everyone who provided care and loving support through her final days including her incredibly kind GP Dr. Andrew Kwasnica, the palliative medical team at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, the home care and palliative nursing team that provided support to Nell at home, as well as her daytime caregiver Alicia Agayo-Lopez, and her close friend Willy VanDungen. We also want to thank Maureen Hertz and her husband Ray Folk who serenaded mom through her bedroom window with some of her favorite hymns.
Mom, we will miss you dearly, but you got us this far. We can take it from here.



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