Our resilient, feisty, smart , independent, and enduring Aunt Mollie, a member of the Great Generation, passed away as a Centurion six months ago. Mollie was born in Essex, England, November 25, 1921.
Mollie met her beloved husband Jim while he was serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. They were married in England during one of Jim's leaves. Mollie became one of 48,000 War Brides who waited over eight months to immigrate to Canada after WW11. While they were parted due to the war, Mollie & Jim exchanged over 100 love-letters. Once they settled in Maple Ridge, Mollie got to know everyone in town working for 21-years at the White Store which was a fixture in Haney for years at Laity and Lougheed Highway.
Mollie and Jim were well travelled including trips to Australia, New Zealand, China, Alaska, the Canadian Maritimes and Arctic. She travelled across Canada by train three times, including on the War Bride's Train.
Before her beloved Jim passed in 2004, and because they were childless they generously donated their property to the City of Maple Ridge for a park for the community to enjoy. Watch for the coming sign near Dewdney Trunk and 216th. We're hoping city council will approve it as "Fairey Park" and that dogs will be welcome.
Mollie always said marrying Jim, coming to Canada and enjoying their 57-year marriage in Maple Ridge was her best life-decision. As per her wish, Molly died peacefully in her home of 72-years in the early hours of July 30, 2022. Mollie's final wish was the love-letters be laid-to-rest with her and Jim. We should all be blessed with such a magical love story.
Mollie ... a Life well Lived. Her wisdom will be sorrowfully missed by her nieces and nephews, other dear family, friends and her beloved dogs, most of whom she enduringly outlived. Surely she is walking her dogs or gardening in heaven!
With Love Always.
Additional Photo(s):
