Obituaries

ZEBROFF, Christine

Happy Birthday mom, you would have turned 82 today, December 1/22. However the family of Christine Zebroff, nee Love, regret to announce that her time with us on Earth is now passed. On September 2, 2022 God saw that her suffering was overwhelming and called her home. Christine, or Chris, was born to her Scottish Immigrant parents, Bill Kerr Love and Martha Currie Love on December 1, 1940 at Kelowna General Hospital. Mom was the sixth and youngest child in an already busy household of five children. Marion (Dec 12,‘26-Feb. 26, ’06), Jean (Feb 20, ’28 - Mar. 26, ’06), John. H. Love, 1930 - , Isobel (Aug. 12, “31 – Mar. 12, ’06), Bill ((Nov. 19, ’37 – May 5, ’19). Born and raised in Kelowna, mom never left. Like most Kelowna teenagers she lived at the Lake. She took up Aquatic sports, winning ribbons and trophies for swim meets. She was on synchronized swim team. Forevermore she looked forward to the synchronized swim teams during every Summer Olympics and during Winter, all the Skating events. She attended Central and Kelowna Senior Secondary, acquiring close friends, Margaret and Ginny. In the early 60’s mom married Larion Zebroff, and soon found herself meeting an entirely new Doukabour family and community: Russian food, customs and culture! Soon they started their family, first was Peter (’62) and daughter, Joanne (’64).

Chris joined Sun Rype in 1965 as a Closing Machine Operator. In 1983 she transitioned to Tray Pack Operator, where she stayed until her retirement in 2005. During her 40 years at Sun Rype Chris also worked in the Cherry Room and was there for the installation of the Tetra Pack equipment. It was May, 2000 her sharp eyes spotted a two sentence ad in the Daily Courier bringing forth a chain of events that brought Mrs. Denise K. Horvath to Kelowna to search for her son, Charles. Mom’s exact words were, “you brought him over here didn’t you? Better get down to the police station and fax her to let her know he was here.” Later Denise said, “you were the only respondent to my ad.” Mom was always haunted by his disappearance.

In 1995 she bought a condo at Gordon Manor where she made many friends, special thanks To Sharon, Karen, and Vicki for all you did for her especially when her health declined. Before that happened she enjoyed bowling, metal detecting, reading, the Wheel of Fortune/Jeopardy shows, collecting pretty Royal Doultons, decorating for Christmas, gardening, Scrabble games with Wanda, her long time friend. She took trips to Hawaii, Alaska, the SouthWest of the States and loved Utah. I recall one family trip when we couldn’t get a room in Spokane because Jimmy Carter was there. Dad drove on to Seattle!

Mom looked after her furry “brats” Willow, Chopin and Maestro when ever I travelled. I'd come home to a cleaned up yard too! Thanks mom! In the end the best of her life was wrapped up in Peter (Mitchell)’s her two wonderful grand children, Randy O. Zebroff, April 17, ’04 and Katherine A. O. Zebroff, July 11, ’06.

The best photos of mom lit up with sheer joy are of her with them whether they were in Canada or the Philippines. She loved visiting them there going to the family enclave on the South China Sea was her highlight. Mom survived severe health wishes, determined I think, to visit with them again and was delighted when her grand daughter flew to Canada and visited in 2019, and her grandson visited en route to the University of Toronto in 2022.. Alas, shortly after her health took a turn for the worse, and on September 2, passed to the mystery of the Otherside. Out of pain through her many challenges, and at Peace. We always think we have more time here though. A special thank you to Dr. Lindsay Black for assistance to the most reluctant patient right to the last day. December 1/2022 would have been your 82nd Birthday mom, I hope you celebrated in Peace. Light a candle, have a Kaluha with milk, watch Wheel of Fortune in mom's memory today.

Condolence Messages

Dec 03, 2022
Sending you my deepest condolences Joanne. May the memories of your beloved Mom shine brightly in your heart. - Leslie Murinko Smith
Dec 03, 2022
Joanne and Peter

Her Journey’s Just Begun

Don't think of her as gone away her journey's just begun, life holds so many facets - this earth is only one. . .

Just think of her as resting from the sorrows and the tears, in a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days and years.

Think how she must be wishing that we could know today, how nothing but our sadness can really pass away.

And think of her as living in the hearts of those she touched. . .for nothing loved is ever lost, and she was loved so much. - Wendy Stapleton
Dec 03, 2022
Joanne and Peter...our family was deeply saddened to hear of your moms passing in September. Although we were not related, our families spent a lot of time together growing up and I always referred to her as 'Aunty Chris'.

Aunty Chris and my mom, Wanda Horkoff, became friends through our dads and had many years of friendship, most notably, spending hours playing scrabble and I'm sure making up their own words not to be found in the Webster Dictionary.

Aunty Chris was also affectionally referred to as 'Grandma Chris' by our children, Ashley & Rylan as she was apart of many of our family gatherings.

We hope it comforts you to know your mom meant a lot to our family.

Wendy, Kelly, Ashley and Rylan Stapleton. - Wendy Stapleton
Dec 02, 2022
It sounds like she had a very fulfilling life with a beautiful family Joanne! Beautiful words for a beautiful woman!! - Kim Wilson
Dec 02, 2022
Joanne and Family. So sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. Wishing you peace and love. Renee Boucher and Family. - Renee Boucher
Dec 02, 2022
A beautiful tribute to your mom Joanne. I am sorry for your loss Joanne. - Cheryl Sidenberg
Dec 01, 2022
My condolences Joanne and Peter and families.

Linda Jefferies (nee Singbeil) - Linda Jefferies
Dec 01, 2022
So very sorry for your loss Joanne.

It sounds like she was a remarkable woman. - Lore
Dec 01, 2022
Joanne and family, we are very sorry to learn of the passing of your mother. You are in our thoughts, - Tony & Robbin Roberts
Dec 01, 2022
My condolences for your loss Joanne (and family). Sending hugs xx - Peggy (Sige)
Dec 01, 2022
Our condolences to all the families , we had the pleasure of being neighbors on Cornation Street back in 1970 and have never forgotten what great people they were.

So sorry for your loss. Wally and Bonny Warner - Bonny Warner
Dec 01, 2022
Joanne,Peter and families. Deepest condolences to you all. I'm thinking of you and my Auntie Chris today,especially her Birthday. I was fortunate to talk to her on my birthday in August and tell her I loved her. She was a great friend to mom, Jackie and a special Auntie to us all. Peace and love. Julie Singbeil - Julie Singbeil