Colleen Dickson

Colleen Dickson, businesswoman, dedicated community volunteer, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and matriarch to a loving and successful family died peacefully November 7, 2021 at her home at Heron Grove in Vernon, BC. She was 92.

Born in Wetaskiwin, Alberta on March 17, 1929, her mother died when she was young and she was raised by her father with help from her mother’s sister through the Depression and Second World War. The hardships and sacrifices she experienced and witnessed propelled her into a life of service and she joined the nursing program at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton.

While studying to become a nurse, she met and married the love of her life, Russ Dickson and they embarked on a life of entrepreneurship grounded by a growing family. After selling their successful electric motor repair business in Edmonton, Colleen and Russ moved with their five children and their two pets to Vernon, an appealing community they had found on the family’s many Okanagan vacations.

Colleen and Russ opened Electrical Enterprises in Vernon in 1974 and operated the successful electric motor supply and repair business until 2003. Colleen worked for local dentist Dr. John Matthews, and later Dr. Bernie Grages, for many years, while also taking care of the administrative side of the family business. She loved to accompany Russ on service calls to the far-flung clients at sawmills, mines and other businesses in the hills and valleys of their adopted home.

Colleen enjoyed a life of community service, especially in leadership roles with Girl Guides of Canada. A lifelong and devoted Anglican, she was a pillar of All Saints Anglican Church in Vernon, rarely missing a service and volunteering countless hours to the various committees and charities operated through the church. She especially enjoyed singing in the choir and was never happier than when her large family would gather at Christmas and other important services.

Despite her full and busy life, family always came first with Colleen. After ensuring her own kids obtained post-secondary educations and embarked on successful careers, she watched with enormous pride as her collection of seven granddaughters and four grandsons grew into successful and productive people. She and Russ would think nothing of hopping in their truck to pull their camper 2,500 miles to attend a graduation or just celebrate a birthday.

They also built a family hub on a challenging clifftop property on Okanagan Lake where they hosted family and friends with generosity and a fun-loving spirit. Time spent with Gramma and Grandpa “at the lake” are among the cherished memories her huge extended family will have forever.

Colleen is survived by her five children, Judy Loog (Tony), Tim Dickson (Eva), Marni Niles (Russ), Barb Durno (Bill), and Jane Dickson. Grandchildren are Gina Osborne (Tyler), Kathryn Loog, Terry and Julia Dickson, Evan (Agnes) and Megan Durno, Graham (Hannah) and Capt. Mark (Kate) Niles, and Taylor, Rachel and Delaney Gilmore.

The family is grateful for the compassion and care for Colleen from Dr. Peter Henley and the staff at Heron Grove, especially those in Cottage Six.

Funeral services will be held at All Saints Anglican Church Saturday, November 27, 20 at 2:00 pm by invitation only. The service will be broadcast live at https://youtu.be/RrKYFvlHNAU . It will also be available at the same site for viewing later.

In lieu of flowers, donations to All Saints Anglican Church ( http://www.allsaintsvernon.org/) in Colleen’s memory would be appreciated.