Born in Victoria, B.C. December 2, 1937 to Anne and Dal Kerr, Roma passed away November 23, 2022 with Leo and family at her side. She was predeceased by her youngest son Eric Pedersen in 2018. Survived by her husband of 61 years, Leo Pedersen*, and children Wayne Pedersen, Audrey (Mark) Silbernagel, daughter-in-law Alison Robbins, grandchildren Lucas, Adam (Jenna), Ian (Thordis) Silbernagel, Jaren, Megan (Nathan) Pedersen and extended in-laws in Denmark and western Canada.

Roma was a legal secretary before marriage, later a bookkeeping assistant, worked at the Kettle River Museum in Midway and the Oliver & District Heritage Society (ODHS). Founding member of the Willowbrook Fire Department, volunteer with the International Hike and Bike Trail (Trans-Canda Trail), 232 Bighorn Air Cadets. Because of her association with ODHS, she wrote hundreds of the weekly feature “Turn Back the Clock” in the Oliver Chronicle. Roma and Leo were BC Parks campground hosts for a few seasons.

Roma was an avid traveller, camper, explorer, maker, baker, sewer, quilter, square dancer, musician, reader, writer, language lover, history buff, family log home builder with Leo, gardener, amateur photographer and more.

With her parents, she lived in Australia as a preteen for four years before returning to B.C. Travel was an integral part of her life, including 24 lengthy trips to Mexico and beyond with Leo in self converted camper vans.

The family wishes to express gratitude to the loving, caring staff of Sunnybank Centre in Oliver and River Valley Lodge at Orchard Haven in Keremeos. Thank you to Dr. Margaret Myslek and Dr. Mark Hamilton for their compassionate care.

A public gathering to celebrate the lives of Roma and Leo will be held Saturday, March 25, 2023 at the Quail’s Nest Art Centre in Oliver, B.C from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.

*Leo subsequently passed away January 19, 2023

Consider donating to the Oliver & District Heritage Society – oliverheritage.ca