Hampel, Rosamunde (nee Wolski) – slipped peacefully from this earth and into the arms of God Sunday, February 14, 2016 in Coquitlam, BC. Rose was born February 13, 1919 to Euphrosine (Kaut) and Adolf Wolski, in Knutange, France and raised in the Lutheran faith.

Rose was predeceased by her husband Rudolf, son Ken, sisters Elsie (Stierle), Hulda (Hennis), Hilda (Watson), and brothers Daniel and Carl Wolski. She is survived by sons David (Marlene), Robert (Rosanne), daughter Hedy (Bill Black), daughter-in-law Dee Hampel, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren (so far) as well as sisters Irma (Mayer), Anna (Jack Humphrey), brother Rudolf Wolski, sisters-in-law Joyce Wolski and Inge Wolski, and, and other family and friends.

Rose was born of a generation the likes of which we may not see again. At the age of 10, along with her parents and sisters Elsie, Irma, and Hulda, she immigrated to Canada from Poland, sailing from Danzig to Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1929. The family traveled by train and horse-drawn cart to a homestead at Hines Creek in northern Alberta. Land was cleared, a log house built complete with sod roof, a farm begun, and life in Canada was under way. Rose met and married Rudolf Hampel in 1943. Early in their marriage they moved to Peace River, Alberta where their four children were born. Rose never had the opportunity for much formal schooling and she was determined that each of her children should have a university education. Thus the family moved to Edmonton in order that David and Ken might attend the University of Alberta. Rose was a cook for much of her life – in a coffee shop she and Rudy ran in Peace River and again in Edmonton as well as in the boarding house they operated near the university. With the older boys grown, Rudy, Rose, and the two younger children moved to Courtney and then Comox, BC. There Rose took a job cooking at St. Joseph’s Hospital until she retired in 1984. While living on the island, Robert and Hedy attended the University of British Columbia and Rose’s dream was realized when she saw all four children obtain a degree. In spite of working as a cook all those years, Rose always enjoyed cooking and baking at home as well. When you visited the Hampel home, you knew you would not go away hungry. Following Rose’s retirement, she and Rudy moved again – this time to the lower mainland to be closer to the BC grandchildren. Here she enjoyed tending gardens, visiting with family and friends, caring for the local grandchildren, and vacationing in the Shuswap, Alberta, Texas, and elsewhere. Rose was aptly named as she was never happier than when in a garden. She loved flowers, fruits, and vegetables and could make anything grow. As her health declined Rose moved again, first to assisted living and then into full care.

Rose was kind, gentle, incredibly giving, and family was very important to her. She often had a twinkle in her eye and she loved to laugh. With such an innocent face, no one would believe that she might be responsible for some of the practical jokes she initiated. Though her body was failing, her mind was sharp and she had her sense of humour to the end. We will all miss her smile, her hugs, and her genuine personality.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude for the excellent care provided by all of the staff at the Belvedere Care Centre, Mom’s home for the past four years.

Memorial Service and Celebration of Life to be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 2, 2016 at Kearney Columbia-Bowell Funeral Chapel, 219 Sixth Street, New Westminster, BC.