McPHEE, Wanya Yvonne
1932 - 2015
Wanya McPhee passed away July 3, 2015 at the Drumheller Continuing Care Centre after a lengthy illness at the age 82 with family and friends by her side. Left to mourn are two sisters, Willa Hirsch and Arda Robinson, numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her husband Robert, her parents Nels and Florence Westeen, four brothers: Robert, Kenneth, Bernard and Donald, one sister Rayma Schreder. Wanya grew up in the coal mining town of Rosedale and attended the Rosedale Village High School. At the age of sixteen, Wanya attended the Calgary Business College in 1948. Upon the completion of her course, Wanya’s first job was the position as bookkeeper for the Canadian Institute of the Blind. From Calgary Wayna moved to Edmonton where she procured the position as bookkeeper for Alberta Blue Cross. At the age of 19, she returned to Rosedale due to ill health and later was employed by Joe and Sarah Ruskin at the Star Mine Store. Wanya started dating Robert McPhee who was also employed by the Star Mine Store. They were married March 29, 1956 at the Knox United Church in Drumheller. When Joe Ruskin sold the Store, Bob and Wanya moved to Lacombe. Wanya went to work for Jenkin’s Grocery and Bob went to work for Marwood Swain in his Hardware Store. After returning back to the Valley, Wanya went to work for Christian and Kergan CA which later became Kergan and Aagaard and remained there for 12 years as an accountant. In 1968 Wanya quit her job at Aagaard and went to work as an accountant for the Drumheller General Hospital. She remained there until February 1980 when she retired. Bob and Wanya bought a motorhome and spent the winters in Yuma, Arizona. They moved to Maple Ridge Manor I in 2009. Bob passed away in 2011 and Wayna and went to the Continuing Care Centre in September 2013. Wayna enjoyed visiting residents and everyone who stopped to visit at the puzzle table. By special request there will be no funeral or memorial service. A family service will be held at a later date. As an expression of sympathy memorial contributions can be made to: The Drumheller Health Centre, 351 9th St. N.W., Drumheller, AB, T0J 0Y1.
