May 26, 1925 - Apr 2, 2018
Mom was born in Medicine Hat, AB to Mary Jane and Harry Tingley. She was the fourth of seven children raised during the depression. She developed a love of life, pranks and jokes.
Mom was always smiling and had a joke to share. Mom was very athletic and enjoyed swimming in the South Saskatchewan or the open swimming pool. When the boys would chase the girls from the swimming hold, they would get mom and she would go and chase the boys away.
During the war, mom joined the Royal Canadian Navy as a WREN. She served in Canada and was awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service medal and the defence medal. After the war she moved to Vancouver and met the love of her life, Art Fisher. They were married for 60 years. Married in December 1951 they moved to Kemano to work on the Kitimat project.
Dad went to Kitimat in 1954 and mom went to Vancouver to give birth to their first-born son, David. Mom went back to Kitimat in December 1954. We moved to 47 Swan St where they lived until retirement in 1986. During that time, they had another son, Bruce, born on the hospital beach in 1958.
Mom loved to play softball and curling. She helped with the Legion track and field program in the 60's. Mom was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and helped them and helped with the Cubs, Scouts and Sea Cadets. Mom worked at Coghlin hardware store and Sears and finally as a lunch lady at the high school cafeteria where she was known as "fish". Mom loved to talk on the phone for hours with her friends.
We would spend most Sunday's fishing on the mighty Kitimat River. We went on holidays every year to Vancouver and Medicine Hat with a few days of camping in the rain. At Woods Lake and Parksville Vancouver Island.
When dad retired in 1986 they moved to Vernon where they were once again involved in the Legion. Mom and Dad loved the meat draws and mom liked to go to the casino which she called the bakery. When she said she had baking to do you knew she was off to the casino. Mom and her friend Dianne Colley would make "lists" at the Legion.
After dad passed, mom moved to Creekside Landing care home where she was in complex care. If you went into her room you couldn't leave without some candies or chocolate. Mom loved her chocolate and candies. Mom would spend hours watching the birds at the bird feeder.
Mom had a smile all the time, she sure brightened up the home with her jokes and smile and positive outlook. Her best prank was the April Fool's prank of 2015 when they came to get mom for lunch she played dead and the staff was beside themselves trying to revive mom and she didn't move, they were just about to call the ambulance and she opened her eyes, smiled and said "April Fool's".
Mom was predeceased by her parents, her husband Art in 2011, four of her brothers and sisters, daughter-in-law Paula and son Bruce in 2005. She is survived by her brother David (Ardis), sister Madeline (Dale), son David (Laura), grandson Aaron (Melanie), granddaughter Laurel (Andy), great-grandchildren Jordan and Leslie, many nieces, nephews and friends.
Special thanks to Dr. Dippenaar and his staff. Dr. Dippenaar was not only her Dr but her friend. A very special and heartfelt thanks to the staff at Creekside Landing who took special and great care of mom. We are forever thankful for going the extra mile in her care.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to a charity of your choice.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family's on-line obituary @ www.MyAlternatives.ca
Arrangements entrusted to ALTERNATIVES FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES Vernon 250-558-0866 & Armstrong 250-546-7237
Alternatives Funeral Home