Tribute

“A true pioneer of Powell River”

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother Amelia Gustafson (nee Piccoli) better known as Mal. She was predeceased by her husband George (1905-1995) and is survived by her daughter Marlene (Ted) Hall of Powell River, son Gerry (Kathy) Gustafson of Powell River, grandsons Sean (Cheryl) Hall of Queensland, Australia, Ryan (Shannon) Hall of Prince George, granddaughter Kari (Sheldon) Gaudet of Whistler, grandson Jamie Gustafson of Powell River, eight great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

{C}Mal was the 5th of six children born to an Italian immigrant family and the 3rd to be born in Powell River. In 1919, at the age of 3, her family moved from the townsite to homestead in Wildwood where other extended members of their Italian family were already living. She was part of the first class of students to attend James Thompson School when it opened in 1924. At the age of 14, Mal became charged with raising her younger sister and looking after the household for her father and brother when her mother died suddenly. Mal married George in May of 1933 just after turning 17 to begin a long and happy marriage of 63 years. She worked in the mill during the war while George decided to leave the mill and go to Barber College.

After the children were born, Mal became a stay at home mom which she felt was her calling. During those years she worked as a volunteer at both the baby clinic and the Wildwood Pubic Library. But where Mom really shone was cooking and baking for anyone she could feed. Anyone visiting would be treated to a “snack” of roast beef, mashed potatoes, at least 3 veggies and more than likely homemade pumpkin pie to be followed with a plate of her famous gingerbread cookies and Roman apple cake. You couldn’t visit Mom and leave before you’d had something to eat. She continued this tradition until she went into extended care and even there she wanted to be in the kitchen making homemade chicken soup or pie.

From the 1960’s to the mid 1990’s, Mal and George took great pleasure in running their small cabin rentals in the summer and travelling in the winter during the 70’s and 80’s. During the winters they travelled to Mexico, the Orient, Hawaii, Reno, Australia and throughout Europe but Powell River was where Mal really loved to be.

After 19 years on her own after George passed, Mal moved into Evergreen Care Unit where she passed peacefully. The family is very grateful to the staff at Evergreen for the care and compassion they showed Mal during the last 5 months of her life.

The family will hold a celebration tea for Mal on Saturday, September .