On Friday September 23rd at 7:45 p.m. Lydia Ostashek, with her husband Nick at her side, peacefully drifted into eternal sleep. Lydia, 4th of 6 children, was born to Andrew and Olga Charchuk of Hines Creek Alberta on April 27, 1938. She was so proud that she was the first Canadian born child to her immigrant parents. She spent her childhood and teen years in Hines Creek, graduation from high school in 1957. After graduation she moved to Coal River, BC at mile 543 on the Alaska Highway. It was there she met the love of her life and after a brief courtship, moved back home and made all necessary arrangements for their wedding on November 24th 1957. After a honeymoon in Vancouver they moved to the Beatton River Airport north of Fort St. John where Nick was the senior radio operator for the Department of Transport (DOT). Their first two sons, Donald and Terry, were born during Nick and Lydia’s time at Beatton River. In July of 1960 that airport was closed and they moved to the Fort St. John Airport. Two more sons, Wesley and Kevin were born here. In 1968 Nick left the D.O.T. and they moved into town where they lived until 2001. While living there Lydia worked as a rental clerk for AVIS, kept a beautiful home, spent many hours with her hobbies: sewing, crocheting and gardening. At this time she joined the Royal Purple Lodge holding many positions in that organization, culminating in becoming the District Deputy for the area. She enjoyed many hours of fellowship with her sisters at meetings and other functions, catering for parties and weddings, travelling to other lodges from Whitehorse and Faro to St. John Nfld and many more in between. In 2001 Nick and Lydia, always loving the outdoor life style, moved to Tumbler Ridge where they lived until her passing.
Lydia was predeceased by her parents, Olga and Andrew, brother Harry and son Donald. She is survived by brothers Alex, Fred, Mike and sister Anne, sons Terry (Koreena) of Prince George, Wesley (Fort St. John), Kevin (Christine) of Cumberland. Also surviving her are grandsons Christopher (Melissa) of Fairview AB, Shaun of Fort St. John and Cooper of Cumberland. And lastly her pride and joy, her 4 great grandchildren, Cayden, Haylee, Ayviah and Madlyn.
We will never forget you! Rest in Peace!
Celebration of life will be held in Fort St. John at the end of April with internment of cremated remains at the Forest Lawn cemetery.