MacKENZIE
Nora Verschoyle (nee Young)
October 18, 1917 - March 30, 2017
Nora died peacefully at The Residence in Mission in her 100th year.
She is survived by her daughters: Stella E. MacKenzie (Gary Cleave) and Donna L.E. MacKenzie Achtymichuk Kovacs; 6 grandchildren: Amanda Achtymichuk (John Wilson), Andrew Achtymichuk (Christina Clarke), Samantha Cleave Balakrishnan (John Grantham), Hamish Cleave (Kim), Ceilidh Cleave Hunt (Dan) and Joseph Cleave (Kristy); 13 great grandchildren: Sage, MacKenzie and Elle Balakrishnan, Ethan and Lochlan Hunt and Julia Brinson, Grace, Hunter and Hayden Cleave, Isobel and Axel Cleave and Jazzlyn Herman, and Fiona Achtymichuk; and several nieces and nephews.
Mother was the last of her generation, being predeceased by her adored husband, Wilson Harold MacKenzie, three sisters, and granddaughter, Lola Achtymichuk.
Nora was born in Agassiz, BC to Stella H. (nee Tamblyn) and Charles Warburton Young. To her last days she remembered her childhood in Agassiz with great fondness.
She became an instructor with "Pro Rec", a BC Government program to bring physical education (sports, gymnastics and dance) to communities throughout the Province and was assigned to Haney where she met Wilson.
Nora and Wilson married in 1941 and returned to Haney after WWII with their two young daughters. They lived in a small house on Purdy Lane (now Burnett Ave.).
Mother was a dedicated community service volunteer. Her greatest enthusiasm was teaching hundreds of local youngsters in the YWCA free swim classes. She was a member of the Rebekahs, President of the Women's Auxiliary to the Volunteer Fire Dept. and President of the Ladies' Curling Club. Nora also sewed the first kilts, prepared the plaids and knitted the socks for the newly formed Legion Pipe Band. She did all this while continuing to teach highland and square dancing. She loved art (worked in watercolour), music, dance, knitting, fancy dress (loved Halloween), camping, travelling in the motor home, baseball (never missed the World Series), time at the cabin on Lake Bosworth and being hostess to large parties and family celebrations.
We are so grateful for the support and many kindnesses of those who cared for mother these last few years. Our special thanks to Dr. Peter Barnsdale and his staff, and all the people at The Residence in Mission, particularly Stave Lake Neighbourhood.