Obituary of Ula May Hamel

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our beloved mother Ula May Hamel. Ula passed away peacefully in the early hours of Sunday May 22, 2016 at the age of 95. She was predeceased by her parents John and Esther Roarke of St Denis de Brompton, QC; her husband of 61 years, Robert (Bob); her sisters Jean Roarke and Rita Milnes; her brothers Allan, Malcolm and Donald Roarke, and her granddaughter Chelsea McIntyre. She leaves to cherish and honor her memory, her six children, Patti Hamel, Gary (Debbie) Hamel, Keith (Joanne) Hamel, Maureen (Richard) Choy, Kevin (Lori Donaldson) Hamel and Julie (Brian Davis) McIntyre; her grandchildren Matthew and Cory Hamel, Brent Hamel, Garth (Michelle) and Chris (Saida) Riess, Justin (Amie) Donaldson, Jon Hamel, and Emilly McIntyre, as well as five great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and special extended family. Ula was born in Brampton, Quebec on January 21, 1921. She met and married her sweetheart Bob in 1946 and moved with him to Regina where she would stay the remainder of her life. Ula was a loving, caring and understanding mother, a devoted wife, a loving, nurturing grandma, a trusted friend and an extraordinarily talented dressmaker. She proudly owned and operated “Fashions by Ula” in downtown Regina for more than 40 years. Ula created beautiful flowing gowns for the likes of opera singers and entertainers from all over Canada. She designed and dressed some of the “upper crust” of Regina, as well as working tirelessly, many times late into the night, to sew each of her daughters, daughters-in-law, friends of friends their wedding gowns; right down to the gowns worn by the bridesmaids, mothers of the bride and grooms and flowers girls. No one went without a dress fashioned by Ula! We will celebrate her life at a service held at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina, SK, on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. followed by a tea. Interment at Riverside Memorial Park. Friends so wishing, may make a memorial donation in Ula’s name to a charity of their choosing. Ula was a truly wonderful woman we are all very proud to call our Mom / Grandma. She will be deeply missed and always remembered by all of us who loved her.