Jun 20, 1918 - Dec 19, 2017
One of the Oldest Storytellers on the River has gone home. A library of Indigenous knowledge, stories, and wisdom was held by Great Grandmother Rozina Buker.
Mom was the daughter of Theresa Louise Newton (Lake Babine Nation) and William Gowan Hairsine (Sto:l Nation).
Mom's knowledge of the Fraser Valley pioneers, history, and community growth especially, along the Fraser River, was legendary. She knew hard times and good times. She walked the land in the 1920's, learned how to survive throughout the tough 1930's and when WWII came to Canada, she stepped up to become one of the first Aboriginal women in BC to become a Rosie the Riveter for the Boeing Plant in Vancouver. She helped build PBY planes.
Mom was honored by the Mission Archives as an extraordinary woman in the Paths and Pathfinders Community award in 2011. Mom had an incredible spirit with a tactful but quietly fierce determination in forwarding the rights of all women, children and families. When she got the right to the vote, Mom never missed a municipal, provincial, or federal election. Your vote counts, she would say. And, it is true.
Mom lived her 99 years by the Fraser River in Dewdney, and then active years in town and the last years at the Cedars in Mission. She will be missed beyond these words, and remembered forever in our hearts.
Her husband and best friend, Lyle Fayette Buker, predeceased Rozina. Also predeceased by sister, Victoria Riley (Hairsine), brothers, Edward Hairsine, and Bob Hairsine.
Mom's remaining family includes: daughter Karen Bourne (Bob), daughter Professor Lolehawk Laura Buker, and brother, Donald Hairsine.
Grandchildren: Paula Bourne (Bryce Parman), Mia Clow (Dennis), Amber Rice, and Adam Bourne.
Great Grandchildren: Mackenzie, Morgan, Cody, Keith, Tannor, Jeremy, Cameron, and Noelle.
Mom was loved by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear, dear friends throughout B.C., California, Thunder Bay, the Yukon, Washington St, Saskatchewan, and England.
A Celebration of Zena's Life will take place Saturday March 3, 2018 at the Best Western, 32281 Lougheed Hwy, Mission, BC.
The Gathering Begins at 11am. Lunch will be served.
Correspondence: L. Buker at PO Box 3192, Mission, BC V2V4J4.