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Families, communities mourn

Bill Harpur, Marge Maclean and Alan Spalek - three well-loved West Boundary citizens pass away in September.
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left: Bill Harpur was presented his Diamond Jubilee Medal last February by MP Alex Atamanenko. right: Senator Nancy Green-Raine (left) and Greenwood Mayor Nipper Kettle presenting Marge Maclean the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal last year in the courthouse upstairs in City Hall.

The last full week of September was a hard one for the West Boundary as three well-known and well-loved citizens passed away.

The passing of Kettle Valley resident Alan Spalek due to a heart attack was an unexpected and tragic loss for his family and friends.

In addition, two residents who served the Boundary for many years, in countless capacities also passed.

Marge Maclean, resident of Greenwood for over 67 years passed away on Sept. 25. Maclean was recognized for her years of volunteerism in service to her community with the presentation of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Maclean came to the Boundary in 1946 as a schoolteacher and district librarian. It was said that she has belonged to every single organization that has gone on in this city for all these years.

At the presentation of her Queen’s Jubilee Medal Maclean had said, “But you know it’s never just the individuals—it’s the team. It’s the museum team that does the work at the museum and the bingo team at the Community Association.”

She was a major part of the Greenwood museum and her influence will resonate in the community for many generations to come.

Also passing on Sept. 25 was Rock Creek pioneer Bill Harpur, himself a recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.

He too served his community in many capacities throughout his lifetime. In 1951 he was President of the Rock Creek and Boundary Fair. He was president offoolthe fair for 10 of the 63 years of active service he gave to the organization.

Harpur has contributed to the community in numerous ways over the years, being involved with 4-H, Cattleman’s Association, regional district committees, and Farmer’s Institute to name only a few.