Maureen Hannis passed away peacefully on February 23, 2024, at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops BC where she was born and raised. Maureen had a beautiful life of 81 years and will be missed dearly by everyone who knew her.
She met her loving husband, Laurie Hannis, of 62 years at the young age of 19. They married on June 2, 1962, and began their loving life together. Shortly after welcoming their first daughter, Janine, 1964, they bought their forever home in Brocklehurst where they continued to reside today. A year and a half later they had their son, Darin, 1965 and 2nd daughter four years later, Debra, 1970.
In Maureen's early years she worked at The Bank of Nova Scotia and once she became a mother, she stayed home raising her three pride and joy. Throughout the 70s you could always find Maureen in the stands at Brock arena watching her daughters figure skate or son playing hockey. In 1976, when her youngest started in grade 1, Maureen joined her husband Laurie in his business, Laurie's Paint Shop. She managed the office books up until they sold their business in 1989. She then became the friendly face at the Pharmasave Post Office in the Brock Shopping Centre until her retirement in 2013. Laurie and Maureen loved to travel and would often travel to East Hanover, New Jersey, to spend time with their eldest daughter and family.
Maureen's strong Christian faith had her active in the Free Methodist Church, singing on the worship team most Sundays. Maureen was a shining light and shared her compassion with others as one of the church visitors where she filled many people's days with a friendly visit and often delivering Laurie's baking as a token of love. In the 70s and 80s, you would find Maureen at the Kamloops Curling Club, curling in both a mixed and women's league. She always had a love for the sport and continued to enjoy watching the game. She loved her gym time with girlfriends, and you could often find the group of them gathering at Tim Hortons after their workouts most weekday mornings through and into her 80s.
Maureen is survived by her loving husband, Laurie, three children and their families: her daughter Janine Tardibuono, sons Michael and Steven, her son Darin Hannis, her daughter Debra (Mitch) Shafer and daughters Mikayla and Maddison. She loved being a Nana/Grandma to her four grandchildren and was their biggest cheerleader in life. She will forever be remembered as always making things better and giving the best tickles. Maureen had many roles and was the matriarch of her family; brother Martin (Carla) Gerry, Susan Bossert and many nieces and nephews and brother, and sister in-laws. She was predeceased by her parents, William and Joyce Gerry and son-in-law, John Tardibuono.
Heather Gesy
Heather Prochuk Heather is also in the class of 1961
