Grandma Sarah

Grandma Sarah was a bride at 16, and a Mom by 17, and had 6 children before she was 30, losing one, Anita, to SIDS. Despite this very busy, and at times difficult life, Grandma Sarah still found (or made) time to volunteer with the Women's Institute while still in the Okanagan. Womens' Institutes were extremely involved in the War Effort: fundraising, nursing, collecting and manufacturing domestic supplies. Individual Institutes would hold various events such as dances, plays, and recitals as social events in their communities and the proceeds would go to support the war. Many Institutes spent time canning fruit, knitting socks, and making bandages for the troops overseas.

When Grandpa enlisted in WW2 and served overseas in the Forestry Corp, Grandma was on her own with five small children. She moved back to Didsbury, where she grew up, to have family support for the approximately four years that she was a single Mom. When Grandpa came home, (and can you imagine the challenge that was - going from single, head of house decision maker back to the expected "housewife" role?) - they returned to the Okanagan. Their move to Golden in 1952/1953 was made for work, but they moved into a two room cabin! Grandpa had to convince the Doctor's, for whom he was building a clinic, that they needed a caretakers suite. And then he needed to persuade Grandma to take the caretaker's job, so they could have a home that fit Grandma, Grandpa, Mom and Auntie Denny.

Grandma became a member of the Golden Legion Auxilliary. The Ladies auxilliary did things like catering as a fundraiser to support the operation of the Legion and their charitable aims.

Mom tells me that during the planning of the Purcell apartments, Grandma would say she was glad she wasn't going to live there, because the units were too small. As we all know, Grandma lived there for 16 years. I appreciated their small size, as I often steam-cleaned the carpet for her. And every time I brought my kids to visit her, she asked me if they didn't need an undershirt.

Grandma had more than her share of painful events in her life, losing two daughters and Grandpa, but she was never bitter or complaining. She just dug deep, and kept going, making all our lives richer for knowing her.