Chantelle Bernadette Kirkham was born on May 2, 1971 in Fredericton NB, the daughter of Perry and Denise (nee Tremblay) Kirkham. Chantelle grew up on the family farm in Saltcoats, along with her brother, Nathan. She attended Saltcoats School from Kindergarten to Grade 9, completing grades 10 through 12 at the Yorkton Regional High School. Chantelle lived her life with a passion that made her a strong person throughout her entire life. She loved her roots in agriculture and from the time she was just a little girl she knew that passion would always keep her connected to the farm. Family was Chantelle's number one priority and she centered her life around "her crew". Chantelle's son, Dustin Skitcko, was her pride and joy. Seeing him grow into the fine young man has become made her so proud. But Chantelle's passion was not just her family and her farm life, she was passionate in her love for all animals - especially her dogs and watching eagles. Her passion was also evident in her employment with Grain Millers and Woodlands Farm as well as the way she took care of her yard - mowing the grass and tending to her flowers and flower beds brought her peace and joy. In recent years her involvement with her new family and farm created new loves for Chantelle that included being a director with the Yorkton Exhibition Association. She was also able to use her organizational skills on the new farm and excelled at running the entire farm's office with perfection. Seeing her stepsons, Justin and Steven, coming back to farm with their Dad gave her a great sense of pride. Chantelle's passion for travel and seeing the world was cut short, but she did journey to such places and China, Venezuala, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and many places in North America. Going to "the house" in Maricopa was also a source of great joy for Chantelle. In March of 2010, Chantelle began a journey of a very different kind - to fight a new battle of triple negative breast cancer. During this spiritual journey, she was blessed with meeting new friends who helped her greatly in this part of her life. She insisted that she wanted to keep everyone's lives around her as normal as possible - to be as it was before the diagnosis. Chantelle called it her "new normal". On April 13, 2012, she peacefully took God's hand when she heard Him call and is now soaring with her beloved eagle. Chantelle was predeceased by her grandfathers, Bert Kirkham and Lionel Tremblay; her stepson, Clinton Buckle and mother-in-law, Avis Buckle. She leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memory, her husband and best friend, Blaine Buckle; her son, Dustin Skitcko; her stepsons, Justin (Jessica) and Steven; her father, Perry and her mother, Denise; her brother, Nathan (Cara); her father-in-law, Raymond Buckle; brother-in-law, Wade Buckle; her grandmothers, Adeline Kirkham and Bernadette Tremblay as well as many nieces, nephews, other family members and many special friends. The Memorial Service was held on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Pastor Desmond Klingspon officiating. Chantelle's uncle, Howard Kirkham as well as others in attendance at the funeral shared words of tribute and eulogy. Special taped music selections included "If I Die Young", "When I Get Where I'm Going" and "Last Night I Had a Crazy Dream" which was dedicated to Chantelle from her brother, Nathan. Chantelle's cousin, Tami Kirkham served as the urn bearer. A Private Family Cremation Committal will take place at a later date. Friends so wishing may make donations in Chantelle's name to the Allan Blair Cancer Centre (www.saskcancer.ca/allan-blair-cancer-centre) as tokens of remembrance. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
