It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lois Allan after a brief illness on September 3, 2023, at the Polson Care Home with her family at her side.

Lois was born in North Vancouver to Rodger and Muriel Burnes on January 18, 1924. She attended school in North Vancouver, graduated during war time and worked at the shipyards, followed by several years at the Bank of Montreal.

Despite the difficult economic times Mom enjoyed many adventures. She especially reminisced about fun at church camps on the Gulf Islands, various hi jinx with her siblings, and cycling with a friend from Campbell River to Victoria in the 1940’s. Quite a feat for two young women during that era!

Lois married Arnold Allan in May 1949. His career as an agriculturalist led them to live in various communities throughout B.C. eventually settling in Vernon in 1967.Lois was a “stay at home mom ” during the multiple moves and births of her three children. She provided a stable, loving environment while her children were adjusting to a new community and schools.

Over the years Lois enjoyed many activities : volunteering at the church, going for walks, square dancing, bowling, knitting, reading, playing crib and bridge with friends, sewing, baking, camping, picnics, world travels, gardening, canning, making jams, pickling, and most of all, spending time with family. After the kids left home Lois was a dedicated volunteer at the Georgette Shop  for many years. She took her commitment very seriously and rarely missed her weekly shift. It was her way of contributing and giving back to the community.

Mom loved going for drives and was an amazing navigator. She could direct you to any street or road around Vernon and knew most of the backroads in the North Okanagan, too. She corresponded regularly with a pen pal in England since the late 1930’s and even to this day letters have been going back and forth. They also visited several times over the years.

Lois was predeceased by three siblings, Rodger and John Burnes and Phyllis Oryschak, a niece and nephew, and her husband, Arnold, in 2013. She is survived by her three children: David in Vernon; Barb (Ray Webster), in Penticton; and Robert (Alice McGrath), in Armstrong; three grand-daughters, Cara (Nuno) Covas, Megan (Mark) Petry, Erin (Simon Dellar), as well as seven great grandchildren who adored their “G.G.”.

Mom adjusted to the changing phases of life with calm acceptance. During the past twenty months of her life residing at the Polson Care Home she was happy and very fond of her Polson Family.

We, her family, wish to express our gratitude and appreciation to the staff on the Fintry wing of Polson for their compassionate care and to Dr. P. Henley and Dr. Hayward. A  celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements entrusted to Pleasant Valley Funeral Home   250-542-4333