Lois Isabell Ripley
Lois Isabell Ripley (née Priest) was born in Economy, Nova Scotia on February 25, 1932 and passed away at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, British Columbia on Sept. 19, 2008. She is survived by her husband of 51 years Hedley, Clearwater, B.C.; son Michael (Linda), Clearwater; daughter Betty (Cliff) Olson, Clearwater; daughter Holly, Kamloops; grandchildren: Amanda Olson (Todd), Kamloops; Nathan Olson (Nicola), North Vancouver, B.C.; Karmin Poirier (Dave), Vancouver; and Robert Poirier, sister Betty Elliott, Lower Sackvile, NS; brothers: Percy (Mary) Priest, Economy, NS and Harvey (Audrey) McWhirter of Sackville, NB and many beloved Ripley in-laws, nieces and nephews. Predeceased by mother Violet (nee Smith), father Penfield Priest, brothers Murlin and Sydney McWhirter and nephew Donnie Priest.
Mom started cooking at a very young age and worked in many bush camps in rural Nova Scotia. She met her husband Hedley while working for his father in one of these camps. Son Michael was born in Pembrooke, Ontario in 1959 and in 1960 they moved to Clearwater where daughter Elizabeth (Betty) was born. They lived in a tiny shed rented from Stan and Nellie Davison. Much kindness was shown to them by Stan and Nellie and they soon became “Granny and Grampa Davison” to Mike and Betty There was no running water or electricity and Betty’s crib was an apple box. Mom and Dad built their first home on Trutch Road and in 1964 Holly joined and completed the family. Mom’s health precipitated our move to Kamloops in 1969 and Dad would make the long commute. In 1976 we moved back to Clearwater as there was a new hospital to help her be able to stay.
Our home was filled with much love, laughter and music. Dances and card parties were a great pleasure to Mom whose laughter and sense of fun infused us all. From a very early age she loved writing songs and poems, her empathy and joys and sorrows made her record well liked words of hers and others on any scrap of paper found. Mom loved to tell fortunes and cared greatly for all those who came to see her. Mom’s other great love was Bingo! Many ladies would gather at homes and put in a penny a pot just to have a game. Mom went to Reno several times and was lively in the slots. She also travelled frequently “home” to Nova Scotia to visit family and friends. In 1980 Mom and Dad bought Fur, Fin and Feather Resort on Canim Lake, B.C. Again the music, fun and laughter followed us all there. Mom had great memories of all the people that came and stayed. Mom belonged to the Laubach Society, teaching literacy to all ages in Clearwater. In 1982 her first grandchild, Amanda was born, followed by grandson, Nathan in 1985. They were quite simply the joy and delight of her life. Mike’s marriage to Linda in 2007 gained her two more grandchildren, Karmin and Rob to spoil.
Mom fought hard but had to say goodbye, we all miss her so very much and will continue to until we are together again.
A funeral service for Lois was held on Friday, September 26, 2008 at the Baptist Church in Clearwater, BC. Arrangements entrusted to North Thompson Funeral Services, Clearwater, BC, tel.: 1-877-674-3030.