Tribute

Elizabeth Eileen (DeDe) Emery was born in Penticton, BC, on June 18, 1950, the youngest of three daughters (sisters Ann and Nora) born to Charles and Mary (nee Brown) Emery
DeDe’s father Chuck was elected as the Board Commissioner for the municipality of Osoyoos from 1952-1954 and 1962-1967 in the days before Mayors. He was later appointed to the BC Marketing Board and was active in civic and public service for most of his life.

DeDe lived in Summerland and Osoyoos and then moved to the heritage property of her grandfather, RP Brown, at Vaseaux Lake. DeDe attended high school in Oliver.  She loved the outdoors, especially skating on the lake in the winter.
DeDe loved animals and was very proud of her German Shepherd show dog Max, who won trophies for obedience. She also enjoyed riding horses and joined the local riding club.
Dede bought a 10-acre ranch on Green Lake Road and raised a few cattle over the years. She worked at the co-op fruit packing plants in Oliver and Osoyoos for a number of years. Once retired, she obtained a BC Security worker licence and kept busy protecting and patrolling the area’s businesses.
Although DeDe was a very private person she made life-long friends in all walks of life and every orbit she travelled or worked in.
She kept up to date on local happenings by listening to her fire and rescue scanner.
She loved watching PBR, Yellowstone and Longmire series on TV. Anything involving horses, rodeos and the Wild West held her interest. Listening to country music was a favourite pastime.

Following her health diagnosis in the fall of 2023, with subsequent treatments in Penticton and Vancouver, DeDe’s world was reduced to medical appointments, scans, tests, and treatments. Her world had shrunk down to a vortex of just staying as healthy as possible and maintaining a positive outlook, which she kept up tight to the end. She just wanted to go home to look after her horse, Kola, and cuddle with her cat, Kitty. Sadly, that wasn’t the plan God had created for her.

DeDe is predeceased by both her parents and her sister Boots (Nora). She is survived by her sister Ann (Pepper) Thorstenson, nieces Diane, Shelley, and Corinna, as well as their extended families.

Right up until the end, DeDe was a fierce, independent and strong person.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the oncology department, SOS Medical Foundation at the Penticton Regional Hospital in her memory.

A special thank you goes out to Dr. Tyler Murphy, GP., Dr. Travis Thompson, oncology, and the wonderfully supporting nurses and lab staff at the Penticton Hospital, as well as to the caring nursing staff at the South Okanagan General Hospital where DeDe peacefully passed away on November 15, 2024.

No service, by request. A celebration of Life will be organized at a later date.
May you rest in peace.