Cariboo-Chilcotin Funeral Service Ltd.

04/25/2026

04/14/2026

Kyé7e Cecilia Dick DeRose, a beloved matriarch, educator, and cultural ambassador, passed away
peacefully on April 8, 2026, at the age of 91 in Williams Lake. Cecilia was born on January 14, 1935,
in Alkali Lake. She was the fourth of ten children born to Amelia and Matthew Dick. Kyé7e Cecilia
was a proud Esk’etemc member whose life was a testament to her dedication to family, education,
and cultural preservation.
Throughout her life, Cecilia was a beacon of knowledge and a passionate advocate for the
Secwépemc language and cultural practices. In 2018, she was honoured as an Indspire award
recipient in the Culture, Heritage & Spirituality Category. Her commitment to education and cultural
preservation was further recognized in 2024 when she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters
from Thompson Rivers University (TRU) by her daughter, DeDe DeRose, the TRU Chancellor. This
prestigious accolade was a testament to her lifelong dedication to teaching and to her dream of
integrating the Secwépemcstin language into the public school system, which she successfully
achieved, touching the lives of countless students and community members.
Cecilia’s most recent work was conducted with the Spi7uy Squqlut.s Language and Culture Society,
where she helped give places Secwépemc names and mentored others in the language. She took
pride in passing down her teachings to the next generations.
Cecilia's legacy is lovingly carried forward by her children: DeDe (Allan), David (Deb), Sonny (Tracy),
Denny (Cam), and LuLu (Rudy); her 11 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and her rodeo
kids. As a family, they cherish the memories and lessons imparted by their matriarch, who was not
only a guiding light for them but also a revered figure within the broader community. Kyé7e Cecilia
was preceded in death by her husband Lenny, her son Wes, her grandson Tyrell, and her beloved
dog Toshi.
The DeRose family deeply appreciates the overwhelming support and condolences received during
this time of mourning. The community's kindness and respect for Cecilia's contributions have
provided immense comfort. As they navigate this profound loss, they find solace in knowing that
Cecilia's spirit and teachings will continue to inspire future generations.
Details regarding a Celebration of Life service will be shared at a later date, allowing all who knew
and loved Cecilia to come together in remembrance and gratitude for a life well lived. The DeRose
family extends their heartfelt thanks to everyone who has reached out to share in their sorrow and
celebrate Cecilia's remarkable legacy. The family is collaborating with School District No. 27 to
create a memorial scholarship in honour of Kyé7e Cecilia and asks that monetary donations be
made toward this scholarship in lieu of flowers. Information will be shared once confirmed.

TRU remembers Kye7e Cecilia Dick DeRose

Thompson Rivers University is saddened to learn of the passing of Kye7e Cecilia Dick DeRose, Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, a respected Secwépemc knowledge keeper, educator and champion of language revitalization.

A member of the Esk’etemc First Nation, DeRose dedicated her life to preserving and sharing Secwépemc culture and knowledge, including Secwepemctsín. She was a strong advocate for education as a pathway to advancing the Secwépemc people, inspiring generations of learners through her teaching and mentorship in schools, communities and post-secondary institutions, including TRU.

TRU recognized her extraordinary contributions with an honorary degree. As an elder advisor and educator, DeRose shared her knowledge generously with students, faculty and the broader community, helping deepen understanding of Secwépemc traditions, values and ways of knowing.

Her work included contributions to Secwépemc ethnobotany, culturally safe dementia care and language revitalization initiatives such as FirstVoices Secwépemc. In 2018, DeRose received the Indspire Award for Culture, Heritage and Spirituality.

Despite the lasting impacts of residential school, DeRose devoted her life to restoring language and strengthening culture. Her leadership, resilience and generosity leave a lasting legacy.

TRU extends its deepest condolences to her family, including her daughter, current TRU Chancellor DeDe DeRose, and to the Esk’etemc community and all those whose lives she touched. She will be deeply missed.

04/13/2026

Eleni King
Aug 22 1954 - April 5 2026
In the early hours of Easter morning, Eleni King (71) slipped away quietly and was at last, re-united with her loving husband Garry.
Her memory will lovingly live on in her daughter Teila, "son" Dean and granddaughter Sara.

Known as "Ele" by her family and friends, she was an unforgettable, charismatic & creative force in this world and she will forever be loved.

04/10/2026

Patricia Eulalia Cassidy

Our much loved mother, Paddy Cassidy left us in the early morning of April 4, 2026 at Royal Inland Hospital after a brief illness. She was waiting for vascular surgery, but ever impatient, she decided to jump the gun and take things into her own hands. Her tired body could no longer handle the pain.

Born Patricia Eulalia da Silva in Hong Kong Dec 10 1935. She was just about 6 years old when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour and invaded Hong Kong Dec 8, 1941. She and her family spent the next 4 years in a refugee camp and later in the community in Macau as it was a Portuguese colony and her family was of Portuguese heritage. School was in English in the morning and in Portuguese in the afternoon and she blamed this schooling for her poor math abilities but we all know better as there was nothing wrong with any of her other schooling! The family returned to Hong Kong in 1945 when the war ended and she graduated high school in 1952, attending business college afterwards and becoming a secretary. How do we know all these details? We found notes from her talk at her 90th birthday party, so in true Pat Cassidy fashion, you could say she wrote her own obituary.
In 1957, she moved to Victoria BC as the family had some friends there; she was only 21. Her father and younger brother Andy, joined her in BC in 1958 and many years later her older sister Vilma and her family moved to Victoria as well. Her brother Gerry was already in the UK as a member of the RAF, where he still lives.
In 1959 she met our father, Alfred Cassidy at a card game at the house of mutual friends. A bird flew in the attic and under the table Paddy went! We must surmise our father saved her from the beast (Mom had a phobia about birds) as romance blossomed and they were married in 1960. Last July, they celebrated 65 years together.
They moved to Williams Lake in 1966 and bought the house they still live in that same year. At that time, the sidewalks were raised wooden planks and the community was small. Later that year, Mom joined the CWL (the Catholic Women’s League) to get out of the house and meet people. She was still a member when she died. Sometime after we children all started school, Paddy trained as a travel agent at Cariboo Travel, then later started Allways Travel for Hugo Stahl where she worked until she retired. An avid traveler, Mom went wherever the travel companies were willing to send her (for free of course) and has visited many many countries in the world, excepting notably India, Russia, or any in Africa.
Mom leaned heavy into Community and was by times, President of the Musical Festival, the Williams Lake Toastmistress Club and the OAPO where she was the Liaison between the OAPO and the Senior Activity Centre for over 20 years. During this time, she used to joke that she was a journalist, writing articles for the Tribune, first with the byline Senior Living and later as Smart 55. She was supposed to be sticking to the Seniors’ Activity Centre’s schedules and special events but couldn’t resist commenting on Current Events. She got hate mail once, proof she was a real journalist!
As a member of the CWL, she made sandwiches and treats for many of the Parish’s funerals. She sang in several choirs and even acted in a play. We used to joke she was the unofficial mayor of Williams Lake and her attending ALL the various churches’ bazaars and the local Gurudwara for Vaisakhi Festival for the last few years seemed to confirm it. Recently, our mom developed a fondness for cribbage and went twice a week to the Seniors’ Centre to play. When the Senior Provincial Games were in Victoria, she came down and competed for the local region. Despite being a hockey mom for many years when her children were young, we thought she didn’t understood the rules much, so imagine our surprise when she became one of the Vancouver Canucks’ most avid supporters.
Sadly this winter Mom developed an infection in her heel which landed her in the hospital. It never healed properly and the doctors and nurses deduced she had narrowing in the veins in her legs. It was while she was waiting for vascular surgery in Royal Inland Hospital that her body just gave up. Perhaps Mom just got tired of the pain, threw down her cards and left the table.
She is survived by her husband Alfred and her children Peter Cassidy, Bridget Cassidy-Keais (Bill Lupton), Tim (Jana Vander Kloet) and Lorraine (Sean) Burnett, plus her grandchildren, Shealand, Graeme and Morgan Keais, Paige and Ian Burnett and Anton and Sebastian Cassidy and one great grandchild, Sunny Nielsen who is 5 and loved her Gigi very much, as we all did.

Funeral services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Monday April 20. Prayers and viewing start at 10:15am followed by the eulogy at 10:50 with the mass immediately after. As Pat wished to be cremated, the reception will be immediately after the mass at the Church Hall, directly across the street. Many thanks to the CWL, who will be providing coffee, tea and refreshments.

If you knew Paddy, you know she will expect to see you there, nicely dressed of course, so you can have a laugh over her last shenanigans.

03/11/2026

Today we recognize National Funeral Director Day and the individuals who quietly serve families during some of life’s most difficult moments.

Funeral directors carry the responsibility of guiding, supporting, and caring for families with compassion, professionalism, and dignity. It is work that often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is deeply meaningful.

Today we acknowledge the dedication of those in this profession and the care they bring to their communities every day.

03/08/2026

On International Women’s Day, we recognize and celebrate the women who serve our communities with compassion, strength, and quiet leadership.

Funeral directing is a profession built on care, dignity, and trust. Women in this field bring profound empathy, resilience, and professionalism as they guide families through some of life’s most difficult moments. Their presence continues to shape and strengthen the profession in meaningful ways.

Today we honour the women who have paved the way, those who serve today, and the generations who will continue this work with grace and dedication.

Happy International Women’s Day to the women of funeral service and to the many women who support their communities every day.