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Elizabeth Chernoff, was born to John M. and Ann Dergousoff (nee Popoff) at Verigin, Saskatchewan on October 28, 1926. Her birth followed that of her older brother, William. Elizabeth lost her mother at a very young age and her father subsequently married Tina Markin. This union produced a sister, Kay. After the family relocated to British Columbia, as a teenager, Elizabeth worked at various physically demanding jobs, including field and orchard work.

She met Fred Chernoff, and they were married on November 30, 1944. They made their home in the Almond Gardens area in Grand Forks where they were blessed with the birth of three daughters, Betty, Gloria and Terry. To supplement the family income, they grew carrots for seed and potatoes for market. As Fred found steadier employment they were able to stop commercial farming and life became somewhat easier.

Elizabeth and Fred continued to live in their home in Almond Gardens until 1993 when serious health issues showed them the wisdom of downsizing. They moved to the Triangle Gardens Mobile Home Park, where with the help of their sons-in-law, they made a comfortable home for themselves ensuring that Elizabeth was still able to plant a garden and have ample room to store her canning and all the foods she loved to prepare.

After Fred’s heart attack and stroke in 2008, Elizabeth chose to take care of his every need with minimal outside help. After Fred’s death in 2010, she continued to make her home at Triangle Gardens until her own health failed. In late December she moved to residential care at Silver Kettle Village where she resided for less than two weeks.

Elizabeth passed away at Kelowna General Hospital, with her daughter Betty at her side, on January 13, 2013 due to complications following surgery. Elizabeth was predeceased by her parents, brother, one son-in-law and two infant grandsons. She is survived by her three daughters, Betty (John) Sapriken, Gloria (Walter) Zoobkoff, all of Castlegar, BC and Terry (Tony) Chursinoff of Grand Forks, BC, six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and her sister, Kay Fuller.

A prayer and funeral service was held on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at the USCC Community Centre with Fay Malins officiating. Castlegar Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements and interment was at the Sion Cemetery.



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