Roberta Jean Strachan
STRACHAN - Roberta “Robi” Jean Strachan was born April 9th,1941 in Montreal, QC. She passed away on November 26th, 2023, at the age of 82.
Robi was the beloved wife of Ronald Strachan and the mother of four children; Jamie Gelfand (Gary), Jeffery Strachan (Michelle), Leanne Strachan, and Douglas Strachan. Loving grandmother to Aaron, Sydney, Michael, Jack, and Charli. She adored her loving puppy, Sammy. She has two brothers, Bob Walker (Lorraine) and Wayne Walker, a niece, Carmen, and five nephews; Paul, Jeffery, Bradley, Matthew, and Scott. She was predeceased by her parents Robert Walker & Jean Walker, and her sister Diane Harmel.
Robi was a successful businesswoman who owned and operated six ladieswear boutiques in SK, AB, and BC. She and her husband Ron owned and operated two restaurants in Melfort, SK, two KFC franchises in Kindersley and Rosetown, SK, and the Swiss Chalet Restaurant in Kelowna, BC. They also owned and operated a real estate publication which was distributed throughout the Okanagan and Victoria, BC.
Her hobbies included gardening, reading, sewing, knitting, and baking home-made pies. She enjoyed talking about current events, history, politics, healthcare, and business. She had an astute mind for the stock market and had a keen interest in real estate. She also had a memory like an elephant and continued to reach out by phone to her family and friends on a regular basis.
She was a member of a local book club, hiking club, and a passionate volunteer to many local charities. Other activities she enjoyed were downhill skiing and swimming. When she was raising her family in Saskatchewan, one of her favorite things to do was to spend the summers at Turtle Lake where they built a log cabin. There was always room for family and friends to come and enjoy the Griswold moments and adventures. She enjoyed long boat rides, would water ski from time to time, occasionally fish, and enjoyed long walks around the lake chatting with the locals and other guests.
Robi had an infectious laugh, a sweet smile, and a genuine curiosity for others. She encountered a few obstacles along the way and struggled for several years with a debilitating illness called Myasthenia Gravis, an autoimmune disorder. She faced a lot of adversities and setbacks and managed to stay the course with a strong desire and will to live. Her presence in our lives brought joy, kindness, laughter, and love.
Rest in peace, Robi.
A “Celebration of Life” was held on December 1st, 2023. Our family would like to thank all extended family members and close friends who attended. Robi’s ashes will be spread at her favorite salmon run, located at Hardy Falls Regional Park, Peachland, BC late summer 2024.
“You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left”
Author: David Harkins