Thelma Norene Parke

Thelma Norene “SAMMY” (McKim) PARKE

April 26, 1931 — July 30, 2024

The life mom lived within the “dash” was a life so well lived.

The family of “Sammy” Parke sadly announces that our mom died in the early hours of July 30th.

Mom will be forever missed by her family, Doug (Robyn) Parke, Don Parke (Sivona),

Norene Parke (Gil Kurtz) and Shelley (Ted) Ockenden; her grandchildren Phil (Dena) Parke,

Al (Kristen) Parke, Neil (Ashley) Parke, Kerry (Paul) Sutton, Stuart Chutter, Julie Chutter (Noah Morse), Tanner (Jordyn) Ockenden and Jayden (Jenny) Ockenden and 14 Great Grandchildren: Spencer, Isaac, Olivia, Jacob, Jack, Ben, Arthur, Charlotte, Bowen, Bastian, Rocco, Bodhi, Mazey and Rayne. Mom was predeceased by her husband, Alan; her daughter in law Daphne, her grandson Colin, as well as her sisters Leah and Lois.

Sammy was born in Nelson to Albert and Thelma McKim, the youngest sister and friend to Lois and Leah. The family moved to Kelowna in 1935 when mom was 4. Mom always referred to Kelowna as home.

As a young girl, mom was very active in sport and proudly told us that she won her first race at age 5 by dog paddling; and of swimming across Okanagan Lake as part of her training with the swim team.

Although mom was never regarded as tall, she was the centre on her school basketball team which always made us laugh. Mom spent her childhood within a strong group of friends and they stayed connected throughout their long lives.

In 1951, mom left Kelowna to attend Teachers’ Training at Vancouver Normal School. It was there that she met many new friends. After her training, mom took a teaching job in Ashcroft and it was there that she met our dad, Alan Parke. Mom and Dad married in 1954 and in the next 9 years added 4 children to complete their family.

Over the next 49 years mom and dad worked hard together, enjoyed time spent with her sisters’ families and many friends, built our family cabin at Pavilion Lake, sold the ranch and built their dream home in Kamloops, travelled extensively and enjoyed being “nana and papa” to 9 grandchildren.

For mom, grandchildren meant snuggling babies, happily attending countless school and 4-H events and many graduations. Mom loved watching her grandchildren become parents and the week before mom died she had welcomed her 14th great grandchild.

Mom was a knitter-extraordinaire~ she knit hundreds of sweaters for her family, countless baby blankets that she donated to families in need, toques for the homeless and afghans for every grandchild and dishcloths for absolutely everyone. Mom didn’t like idle hands, so it was very hard for her when she lost her vision and was no longer able to knit.

To mom, nothing was better than spending time with her kids and grandkids. “Nana” would be out in the cold Pavilion Lake in all sorts of weather to play water tag with the grandkids which would “encourage” us parents to jump in as well. Mom kept her love of swimming her whole life and it was her joy to get into the lake at Pavilion last summer at age 92!

Mom expressed her love openly and we all knew how loved we were. You never left mom’s presence without her saying “I love you”. That immense love was reflected right back to her.

Mom spent her last days receiving loving, palliative care from the staff at the Kamloops Hospice. There are not enough words to express our gratitude to all who provided care to mom: Lorie and Brandon on 5 south, Drs Choi, Proctor, Trudeau and Cook, Cherilyn , Sam and Andie and everyone at the Hospice.

A Celebration of Mom’s Life will be held at the St Andrew’s Presbyterian church. 1136 Sixth Avenue Kamloops on Saturday August 31st at 4 pm with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to can make a donation to Kamloops Hospice Association in Sammy’s memory, 72 Whiteshield Crescent, Kamloops V2E 2S9.