Obituary of Karolyn Woodley

Karolyn Woodley was born on June 17, 1940 and passed away on July 30, 2016 at the age of 76 in Dawson Creek, BC. Karolyn was the fourth of five children of Oliver and Mary Wolfe and spent her childhood years growing up on the family farm in Willow Valley, BC. It was during her childhood years that Karolyn was diagnosed with polio. It was difficult for her at first but she accepted it and moved forward with a determination to not let it get her down. Karolyn had a good sense of humor and she loved music and animals very much. She shared many stories with her family of her early years riding her dad's horses and pulling pranks on her two older brothers and little sister. In 1959, Karolyn married Bob Smalley and soon had a family of four daughters. Together with their love of music they started a band (Bob and The Country Playboys) and over the years they had several good musicians playing along with them. Their music was good and they were in demand and played music for many weddings and country dances at dance halls throughout the Peace. Karolyn was a farm girl at heart and was always the worker and so she worked at a variety of jobs in Dawson Creek. In 1980, Karolyn and Bob parted ways and Karolyn then found a job taking care of the elderly at the David Lloyd Jones care home facility in Kelowna, BC. Soon after, Karolyn meet Bruce Woodley and in 1982 they decided to get married. Life changed for the two of them and in 1989 they decided to move back to the Peace Country to be closer to family. They purchased a small acreage just outside of town with enough room for a couple of horses, a few chickens, a couple of dogs and a cat and enjoyed the country life until moving into town in 2010. Karolyn always had a good garden and you could certainly count on her planting more than enough peas as she knew that all her grandchildren would be sneaking into the pea patch to pick them. She got a great kick out of that. Karolyn had many hobbies and winter past times, from sewing, knitting, crafts, playing cards, putting together puzzles or playing bingo on Tuesdays at the seniors hall or spending an odd evening at the casino. She loved music and going to local concerts and music festivals. She enjoyed camping especially with family and visiting with relatives while taking vacations or attending family functions. She was a good cook and loved to bake. Home-made soups, fresh buns, lemon meringue and raisin pies were her favorites and they didn't last long in her house. Karolyn was always there for any of her family or friends who either fell ill or needed a bit of care and was willing to help in any way she could with a positive outlook and a smile. Karolyn loved her four daughters very much and was always interested in how their families were doing and was always there for them to lean on when they needed her help. Karolyn was predeceased by her parents Oliver and Mary, brothers Johnny, Tom and Frank. She is survived by her husband Bruce, daughters Penny (Ken) Grassie, Karen (Dan) Hutton, Colleen (Dean) Daniel, Karol (Stewart) Stendall and 12 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, sister Pat Kettner and her very dear and very close friend of 55 years, Muriel Formaniuk - they meet in 1961. We, will forever miss you! A celebration of life was held Saturday, August 20, 2016 at 2:00 pm at the McLeod Community Hall & School, 8025 - 265 Road Groundbirch, B.C. Pastor Lee Stephenson officiated. Interment followed at the Willow Valley Cemetery, Willow Valley, B.C. Expressions of sympathy may be made by donation in memory of Karolyn to the Willow Valley Cemetery, 1629 - Loran Drive, Dawson Creek, B.C. V1G 4X9. Celebration Of Life 2:00 pm Saturday, August 20, 2016 McLeod Community Hall & School 8025 265 Rd Groundbirch, British Columbia, Canada V0C1T0