Obituary of Viola Mabel Colby

It is with great sorrow that the family of Viola Colby announces her passing on December 20, 2007 at the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert after a short battle with pneumonia. She was born in Big River on July 30, 1923, the fourth of five children to George and Francis Mcknight. In 1944, Viola met and married Albert Colby in Big River. They had their first daughter, Audrey, there. Then they moved to Saskatoon and had their second daughter, Darlene. Viola and Albert remained there for thirty five years until Albert retired and then moved back to Big River to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Viola is lovingly remembered by her loving husband of 63 years, Bert Colby of Big River, SK; her children Audrey (Wendell) Hiltz of Big River, SK and Darlene (Randy) Bradley of Big River, SK; her grandchildren Kelly (Kathy) Hiltz and their children Cordelle, James, Desiree, Jordann & Micheal of Big River, SK; Kim (Cory) Hodgson and their children Caitlin & Micheal of Big River, SK; Tanya Hiltz (Darryl Arcand) and her children Waylon, Lauran & MacKenzie of Big River, SK; Tracy (Lawrence) Doucette and their children Levi & Quinton of Big River, SK and; Melanie (Jonathan) Baynes of Spiritwood, SK; a sister Marjorie Skopyk of Big River, SK; a brother Bill (Beryl) Mcknight of Big River, SK as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was predeceased by her parents George & Francis; a brother Sam (Peg) Mcknight; a sister Freda (Cliff) Felt; & brothers in law Bill Yurach & Mike Skopyk. The funeral service was held on Saturday, December 22nd, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. from St. Marten's Anglican Church in Big River with Rev. Mary Anne Boote as the officiant. The organist was Laura Wilson who played the hymns Abide with Me, Jesus Loves Me and Amazing Grace. The Big River Royal Purple formed an honor guard at the end of the service. Honorary pall bearers were all relatives and friends who shared in Viola's life and the active pall bearers were Kelly Hiltz, Neil Yurach, George Yurach, Clifford Mcknight, Jim Mcknight and Warren Mcknight. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society. Viola was laid to rest in the Big River Cemetery.