Obituaries

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jo at the age of 90. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend Josie lived a full and vibrant life, leaving behind a legacy of love, warmth, and joy. Her last years have been behind the veil of Alzheimer’s, a cruel disease that slowly took her zest and spark for life.

Jo was an avid cyclist well into her later years, cycling 80 km on her 80th birthday! She inspired those around her with her passion for staying determinedly active. In years past she was a runner, and a race walker, winning a silver and a gold medal for race walking at the 1993 BC Senior games. In her good years her kitchen was always filled with the aroma of her delicious cooking, a skill that she shared generously with family and friends. Her butter tarts and apple pies were famous!

Josie will be dearly missed by her loving husband Brian Drage, her children, Lorren Jody and Mark; her daughter in law Reneé; her grandchildren, Micha, Jackson, Nile, Caelan, Maya, Riché and Theoren, her step daughters Sharon and Leslie and her sister Catherine, numerous nieces and cousins and all who loved her. She will also be missed by her adopted family Harry and Michelle Crezednikow and their family in Montreal. Jo was predeceased by her son Mike in December 2005 and her brother Duane in August 2024. Her memory will forever live on in the hearts of those she touched.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Jo to the Alzheimer’s Society of British Columbia.

In tears we saw you sinking
We watched you fade away.
Our hearts were almost broken,
You fought so hard to stay.
But when we saw you sleeping,
So peacefully free from pain.
We could not wish you back
To suffer that again.