Elizabeth Anne Hunter

June 18, 1920 - November 2, 2016

Wild roses were blooming when Elizabeth began her life on a prairie homestead in Patience, Alberta. Lib had a close and loving relationship with her parents, Harry and Mabel, and her two sisters, Jaffrey and Patience. Life was not easy for many families after WW I and during the great Depression; Harry (a veteran) left the farm, while Mabel and the girls went back to England. After a brief sojourn there, and sadly leaving Jaffy to be raised by English relatives, Lib, with her younger sister Pay and mother, returned to Canada, to reside with Mabel’s brother Jack, in Woodbridge, Ontario. Lib received her education at St. Mildred’s College and developed a life-long interest in drawing and painting, a talent and gift bestowed by her mother.

During WW II, Lib worked as a typist in a factory where the first Lancaster bomber was built, then trained in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto. It was while working as an OT at Queen Mary Veteran’s Hospital in Montreal that she met an eager young intern, Douglas Robert Hunter, who was immediately smitten by her beauty, gentle kindness and quick wit. They married May 14, 1949 and together they raised nine children.

Lib was a devoted sister, wife and mother who always put the needs of others ahead of her own. While living in various Ontario communities, Lib was very busy raising their growing young family and supporting Doug through his medical career. They had many family camping and canoe trips in Ontario, which started their tradition of month-long summer holidays in August. Rising to the challenges of camping in those early days with small children and babies, cloth diapers and canvas tents, was a testament to their determination to pursue an adventurous lifestyle. In 1964, they moved the family to Kamloops, BC, where they continued enjoying an active life, square dancing, skiing, sailing, canoeing and hiking. Lib, ever resourceful, competently coordinated the increasingly complex family activities. Then, in 1974, pursuing a latent dream, Lib and Doug purchased Twin Creeks Ranch in Upper Hat Creek, where they worked side by side for almost twenty years raising beef cattle. Lib loved sharing chores and activities with family and neighbours in the beautiful mountain valley and it was during this time that she reconnected with her long lost father.

Lib and Doug sold the ranch and retired to Kamloops, where they continued to square dance, paddle and cross-country ski into their late 80’s. She and Doug were familiar figures on the Stake Lake ski trails, on the Goose Lake Road or resting on their walkers nearer their home. Lib continued her daily walks until shortly before her death. Over the years, inspired by nature, Lib continued to draw and paint whenever she had the opportunity, and when blessed with grandchildren, wrote and illustrated treasured stories for them.

During her final days, family gathered around Elizabeth, sharing their memories, singing, reading and returning a small portion of the love she so selflessly gave to all. Lib imbued in her children a love of camping and nature. Her acceptance of hardships in the pursuit of experiencing the beauty and freedom of the great outdoors remains very much alive in her family. Elizabeth is survived by her husband Douglas, sister Patience, children Helen (Rick), Robert (Ann-Marie), Chris (Marilynn), Richard (Susan), Paul (Jennifer), Mary (Bruce), Martha (Mark), Cynthia, and Patricia (Luciano), sixteen grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. Mum will be truly missed by all who knew her.

We would like to thank all the people who gave such generous and gentle care to our mother, the staff at Kamloops Seniors Village, Ponderosa Lodge, Royal Inland Hospital, Ridgeview Lodge, and especially, Doreen. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice. In honour of Mum, enjoy a walk in the hills or perform an act of kindness for someone.

A memorial service will take place at St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Kamloops, on Friday, November 18th at 2 pm; reception to follow in the Church Hall.

Condolences may be left for Elizabeth’s family at www.firstmemorialkamloops.com

Arrangements under the direction of First Memorial Funeral Service, Kamloops, British Columbia.