In Loving Memory of
Vera Lillian Cumming
October 12, 1920 – August 31, 2021
Funeral Service
Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 1:00 PM PDT
Bowers Funeral Home
440 10 St SW, Salmon Arm, British Columbia
Graveside Service
September 8, 2021 at 3:00 PM PDT
Eagle Valley & District Cemetery (Solsqua)
1711 Cemetery Rd, off Solsqua/Sicamous Road
Open for any to attend with an opportunity to mingle with family and friends
Watch the Funeral Service
Vera Lillian Cumming (nee Gardner) was born in Victoria, BC on October 12, 1920 and passed away on August 31, 2021 in Salmon Arm, BC.
Mom was the eldest of 5 children. She married David Cumming on May 6, 1942 and spent 57 years in the Sicamous area where they raised their 6 children. She is predeceased by her husband David in December of 2009, youngest son Merlin in August of 2009 and oldest son Robert (Bob) December 2020.
She is survived by daughter Diane Jackson of White Rock, BC; son Jim (Judy) of Sicamous; daughter Frances Jordan (Willis) of Creston, BC; daughter Janet Rosenfeld (Garry) of Surrey, BC; daughter in-law Marj Cumming of Kelowna and daughter in-law Charlene Cumming of Revelstoke, BC; 20 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, and 1 great, great grandchild. She is also survived by her youngest brother Peter Gardner, of Sydney, BC., as well as numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends.
A special thank you to the staff at Hillside Village Good Samaritan in Salmon Arm where Mom has spent the last 3 years.
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My Aunt Vera was the most competent, funny, kind, talented and friendly woman that I have ever met. I will always remember her with reverence and awe. My sincerest condolences to all her family.
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Dear family: it has been a privilege and honour to call your mom our family’s friend! Your mom and dad were such an encouragement to us all. Know you are being thought of with with love, honour and deep condolences!
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It was a privilege meeting with your mom for a few years in Surrey.
The eulogy beautifully described every part of Vera’s life.
Her vitality and zest for life will always be remembered. God always remained first and it was evident by her life.
Our thoughts & prayers are with you all.
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My condolences to all the Cummings family. My memories go back to when your dear Mother would come to Salmon Arm for Dr. appointments, and then she would come and visit with our Mother. I also have happy memories of our family sitting around your family table enjoying your Mother’s delicious dinners. We had sweet fellowship with your dear Mother and Dad, and now I have happy memories of a very faithful couple and very dear friends. My heartfelt thoughts are with all of you at the time. Love Violet
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Thanks to Paul C. I had the distinct honour of going to Wednesday night meeting in the Cumming home in Surrey when they lived next door to Garry and Janet..
All meetings are special but being in a meeting with Vera was “extra” special.
I will never forget one meeting when she told us of how they met the truth. You would have thought it happened the previous week. She was so enthusiastic.
If I was to covet anything it would be the enthusiastic love for truth that Vera had. She was a joy to be with in meeting or out of meeting. The world and Gods way needs more Vera’s. A beautiful Godly Lady.
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Dear Janet, Gary and Families,
We send our deepest condolences and keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. You have some beautiful memories that will keep you in the days ahead. It is wonderful when a faithful one finishes the race. It brings comfort to all. I always felt a deep warmth of love and kindness that your mom gave in her smiles and care of others.
I have one childhood memory – after meeting and staying for dinners in Sicamous, your mom’s Big and I do say big, Yorkshire puddings. We could fit the mash potatoes, meat and veggies inside and then pour the gravy over them. Yummy! I have never mastered her secret to this day. Times at their home and visits were dear to me. She will always be remembered.
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Dear family,
I’m sorry that your dear Mom has passed. You will miss her so often but it will give you relief too to know that she is beyond the reach of illnesses which are so common these days. I will also enjoy her memory as we had such rich times at your Dad and Mom’s home for meeting when we lived in Revelstoke and always a great visit from your Dad and Mom at Salmon Arm. They were really ageless to me. I can see in your Mom’s face that she still loved life. How wonderful for you to have had such a long time together. You will all be in my thoughts,
Sincerely,
Wendy Murdoch
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Both your parents, Dave and Vera, never lost their zeal or first love. No small thing to keep alive in every experience of life.
Special thoughts towards all the family today.
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Your mom and dad were very kind and special people to many. On a personal level, the meeting in their home helped me find my footing for the first steps in my journey. I am forever greatful. I still have the birthday cards they gave me with words of encouragement. I think of them and their home often. My thoughts are with all the Cumming family at this time. Take care.
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A kind and faithful friend through many years – gone on to her reward – appreciated,
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Dear Family.
Our thoughts are with you these days in the loss of your Dear Mom.
We have many fond memories of being in your home around that table and sharing in the rich hospitality of your Mom and Dad..
There was no question what were the most important things in their lives.
And now we get to share in that rich influence that they have left us.
I was always amazed how your Mom knew the names of us Kofoed kids all through the years, and took a special interest in us each time we would see her.
Know you will feel the comfort of heaven.now.
As you pick up the torch.
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Dear Janet and family, I got to know Vera a little when she and Dave moved to Surrey. My fond memories of your Mum is her kindness, loving spirit and her warm welcoming smile. She was always the same. You will miss her dearly but all your wonderful memories will keep her near. Hugs Heidi McLane
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Dear family…..
Your precious Mom was one of our childhood “mothers.”. Those strong loving hands and her mother’s heart laboured for and loved us all. Our family was large but not too many for Vera to feed! Our moms were best friends. As long as Vera was with us with her smile and sweet spirit it was like a little part of our Mom.
We have lasting memories of sweet fellowship and friendship with your family.
These days I am thinking especially of my dear and lifelong friend, Diane.
Love and caring thoughts to each of you.
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Sending love and care to all of Vera’s family. What a wonderful woman your mom, and grandma. Her positivity was so infectious and encouraging. Hugs to you.
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Dear Gary and Janet and families. We have such special memories of meeting with your mom on union sundays. She had such a beautiful smile, so much enthusiasm. In her testimony. Was an inspiration to value what we have and have a thankful heart. Know that you will find comfort in memories of her faithful life. Love. Ron and Adrienne
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Thinking of you all as you gather today to honour your Mom and Grandma’s life. We love that we were able to share fellowship with her on Union Sundays.
Vera had an open heart and cared for all.
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Condolences to the Cumming family from Alberta, always remembered Vera for her fantastic smile!
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I think of when I first moved to Malakwa and the wonderful Sunday morning I went to in their home in Solsqua near Sicamous. Always a warm welcome and a truly open home. Thinking of the family right now and knowing you will have comfort from Heaven.
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Simple heartfelt love and hugs Janet, Garry and family. I loved how happy your mom always was and the twinkle in her eyes.
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My thoughts and prayers are with you in these special moments. I remember aunt Vera as a chearful kind woman. I’m sure she’ll be keeping a watchful eye over you all still from where she is now. Good bless.
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Dear Family of Vera and Dave. When our children were younger and we vacationed in Kelowna, we usually planned our trip to be at your Folks for Sunday Morning Meeting and of course we were always asked to stay for lunch. We appreciated their kindness and warm welcome always. We especially remember one trip on our way home, our Son, Owen came down with a very bad case of chickenpox and your Dear Folk insisted we spend the night with them. A very real comfort to have such a welcoming home for us at such a time.
Your Mom was SO KIND and CARING. Your Mom enjoyed a long and rich life and is now gone on to her reward. We are thinking of you all and send our condolences. We know it is not easy to lose a loving Mother. John and Iona Drummond.
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Cummings family
You can be so thankful for such a wonderful example of a God filled life. Vera’s smile was infectious. I’m sorry for your loss but so happy for Vera to be safely home.
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My thoughts are with with you all. Your mom (and Dad) were the greatest outside influences to me. They are truly missed. I often think of the care they had for the very special meeting in their home. I hope the memories will bring a little comfort in time of sorrow.
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Thinking of all of you these days after hearing of the passing of your dear mom! We so appreciated her cheerfulness in every situation, and her ready smile. It was a privilege to have her in our union meeting for many years and she always brought an enriching word. A faithful mom is such a treasure! Take care and take courage. as you continue on with many loving memories in your hearts,.
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Dear Cumming Family , our thoughts and prayers go your way at this time. I believe our families go back to before I was born to Winifield. Our family always appreciated yours and the fellowship shared lots of good memories to 3 generations ! She was such a happy woman and always singing hymns. Love from Dennis and Barbie Melvin
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I always remember that the names, Dave and Vera were always mentioned together. They were a familiar name in our household in Kelowna and we always saw them at Salmon Arm Convention. They were an early example of a couple who moved to another city in order for a home to be established there. They were a light to many.
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Glad for good memories of Vera. My condolences. She had a full life and anHome to go .
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Dear Fran and children of the Cummings .
You can count yourselves very fortunate to have had both these parents … for us as workers they were one of our hundred homes !!! And oh!!!!! The welcome !!! And now I think of your dear Mom receiving a welcome in Heaven .
When you go to visit old people you think , maby we could cheer them up … but as you know it was your mom’s love and cheer that cheered us up . It was because God Put a fire of love in her heart and she kept on feeding it . I always think of a line of a poem .. in Flanders. field …. “ to you from failing hands we throw …the torch … be yours to hold it high ….God can help you to do that . Hold up His love in this dark world.
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Dear Janet and family. I didn’t know your mom very well but I do remember her smile, it was consistent like many other things in her life. A true inspiration to me of a steadfast life and faithful finish. She will be missed, but may you all know Gods love and comfort at this time. Love Raeanne
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Dear Gary & Janet and Family.. you are all in our thoughts so much at this time. Your dear mom will be greatly missed by all! Have very special memories of our many times in your home as a child. Also valued so much your mom when she was in our Union Mtg..she always had a simple and meaningful message. Not easy to say goodbye to a dear mom..but know you will feel the comforter very near.
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Condolences to the family. Vera was a very special lady. Always was like a second mother. Can still smell the roast beef in the oven, and the fresh bread will always rember the special time we had at your place.
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Many cherished memories of Aunt Vera over at least 75 years. She and Uncle Dave hold a very special place in my heart. I was wondering how she was doing just around the time that she went home to be with God and all of the loved ones who have gone before.
Remembered with love, Leona
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Remembering your mom in their Sicamous days. We thought she was a lot like our mom. We loved her smile, her laugh, her love towards us, and her good meals. She always made us Kofoed kids feel welcome. Thinking of you all and sending much love
Marj + Angus McEachern
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Thinking of you all at this time with lots of love . What A wonderful comfort knowing that there is no doubt where she is.
Vera was a wonderful woman… An inspiration and encouragement to us all.
We always really enjoyed her and her uplifting spirit.
May all the wonderful memories bring lots of comfort .
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Dear family
Just sending my sincerest condolences to you all. My husband and I and our 3 children went to your dad and moms for Sunday morning meeting for several years when we lived in Salmon arm. Those were very special years.
May God comfort you at this time.
Memories are a great comfort as well.
Thinking of you all.
Donna Kneesch
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Thinking you Janet and family at this time, we always enjoyed her in meeting
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Aunt Vera was always so kind and loving.
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A great lady! She was always cheerful. I have special memories of being in Union Meeting with the Cumming family all my early childhood. So grateful for the example of those who finish faithfully. Love and condolences to all the family. Jo Tregear (nee McNary)
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Janet & Gary and family…
Thinking of you losing your dear and faithful mom and grandma…
Joy and sorrow interwoven….a great victory for the Kingdom..
Holding you close…love, Rich & Becky
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Always loved Vera’s positive attitude in life .loved our many visits we had in the Cummings home & their visits in are home . Love & thoughts go to all the family there will be comfort in knowing that mother is in a safe place now