Caron Lee Kozachenko, beloved wife of Brent Kozachenko, passed away peacefully at the Pincher Creek Health Centre on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at the age of 67 years.

Caron was born on May 11, 1957, at Elrose, Saskatchewan.  She grew up attending school at Cotterview and Elrose.  In the summers she worked on the family farm alongside her father Pete Riglin, mother Beth, sister Sandra, and brothers Kirk, Clint and Perry.  She attended Kelsey College in Saskatoon, and graduated with a Diploma in Recreation Technology, which furthered her interest in helping people live an active and healthy lifestyle.  She also spent a semester at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.  While in Saskatoon she met Brent, and they remained entangled for the next 47 years.

Caron worked in various jobs and locations over the years, including time with the Northern School Board and at Prince Albert National Park, both in northern Saskatchewan.  She enjoyed working at a picture framing shop in Ft. Smith, N.W.T.  Upon moving to the small, isolated post of Nahanni Butte, she assisted with operations at Nahanni National Park by keeping track of park staff and visitors during the busy summers, feeding crews and taking weather readings daily.  A 10-day hiking and canoe trip on the South Nahanni River was the highlight of one summer.  Somehow, she managed to have a couple of sons, Adam (1982) and Matt (1984), both born in Ft. Simpson, in her quieter times.

In 1985 Caron and Brent moved to Waterton Park and became members of the local community.  Caron had a third son, Sean, in 1988, and spent much of her time ferrying kids to kindergarten, school and sports.  Her love of wilderness hiking and canoe travel continued as she made many trips with friends and family.  She hiked the West Coast trail several times, and stayed in touch with a close group of hiking buddies over the years.

Caron and family moved to Pincher Creek in 1994, and shortly after she started work as a Teacher’s Assistant in Canyon School.   She developed great friendships with fellow teachers and parents, and was much loved by younger students over the years, as she taught that school can and should be fun.  She also enjoyed time with her book club friends, the church choir, and the women’s hockey team.

Retirement of a sort came in 2013, as she moved full-time into helping construct a new home on the Christie Mines Road.  She took great pride in selecting and installing flooring, fixtures and finishing log work and trim.  Her taste for quilting was reflected in her expertly matched floor tiles, and custom rock work.  She also made a pile of beautiful quilts, mostly for family and friends.

Caron has four grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews that she has hiked and camped with over the years.  She believed strongly in staying active, and getting things done.  Her love and respect for nature, and wilderness has been a big part of her life, and she did her best to inspire the same in others.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the Pincher Creek United Church, 972 Police Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to

Windy Slopes Health Foundation
Box 2554, Pincher Creek, AB. T0K 1W0

OR

Canadian Cancer Society
55 St Clair Avenue West, Suite 300
Toronto, Ontario
M4V 2Y7