April 20, 1928 – December 2, 2022

 Mum, it’s been 1 year since you left us on December 2, 2022 leaving a huge hole in our family.  I am sorry I have left this so long but the thought of putting your life into a few short words left me overwhelmed.

You were born April 20, 1928 to Stanley and Ellen May Rickard in Mortimer Road, Pontcanna, Cardiff, Wales in the house next door to where your mother was born.  An only child; but surrounded by numerous aunts and uncles and cousins living close by you were likely never lonely.

We (Nicola, Jacqueline, Lorraine and Raymond) recently returned the Pontacanna neigbourhood where you grew up staying only doors away from your home on Fairleigh Road.  We walked though Llandaff Fields where I remember you saying you played when you were young. It’s a beautiful park along the River Taff and I’m sure you spent many happy hours there.

We walked through the park to Llandaff Cathedral where you and dad were married on May 30, 1955.  What a beautiful church.  We laid some of your and dad’s ashes to rest there under a secluded shady tree.

I found in your papers that on January 2, 1941 (when you would have been 13 years old) bombs were dropped on Cardiff in your immediate neighbourhood and caused massive damage to Llandaff Cathedral and the adjoining graveyard.  It goes on to talk about air raid sirens and shelters being a way of life for the next several years.  I’m sure it was very frightening.

You and Dad were both proud members of the British Royal Navy; Dad working on various ships and seeing active service in Cyprus and then being stationed in Malta and you as a member of the WRENS on HMS Cambria in Cardiff.  I see that on some of your trips back to the UK you met up with some lifelong friends you made in the WRENS.

After the passing of your father (1961) and your mum (1962) you packed up 4 children under the age of 7 and sailed to Canada on the Cunard Line Franconia from Southampton on April 13, 1965 arriving in Montreal on your birthday April 20, 1965.  Then a long train journey to Calgary, Alberta which was our home for quite a few years.  Quite an adventure into the unknown.  Your only relative in Canada was an aunt and her family.

We lived in Calgary until the 70’s when after a holiday to the Okanagan, we moved to British Columbia.  After we all graduated we spread out through Alberta and BC (and a short stint in Manitoba for Jackie).  But eventually we all returned to the Okanagan where we all live today.

Some of the things you loved were TV game shows, bingo, travelling, chocolate, reading, Tom Jones, British humour, a penchant for putting together puzzles and gambling trips to Nevada.  You had a wonderful, slightly sarcastic wit which surprised a lot of people.

You are survived by your children, Nicola, Jacqueline, Lorraine and Raymond and 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, Sean (Cash and Rhett) and Jayme (Rylea), Cody (Ashlynn) and Shane, Madalyn and Britney and Jared.

I found this poem in your papers.

If tomorrow starts without me,

And I’m not there to see,

If the sun should rise and find your eyes

All filled with tears for me;

 I wish so much you wouldn’t cry,

The way you did today,

While thinking of the many things

We didn’t get to say.

 I know how much you love me,

As much as I love you,

And each time that you think of me,

I’ll know you miss me too;

 But when tomorrow starts without me,

Please try to understand,

That an angel came and called my name,

And took me by the hand.

 And said my place was ready,

In heaven far above,

And that I’d have to leave behind

All those I dearly love.

 So when tomorrow starts without me,

Don’t think we’re far apart,

For every time you think of me,

I’m right here in your heart.

We miss you mum, forever and always.

 

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Pleasant Valley Funeral Home,

Phone: 250-542-4333

Condolences may be offered at www.pleasantvalleyfh.com