"Amie" Alma Lily Gamble

Grandma Amie passed away peacefully in her home, at the age of 98½ years. She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Stan; son in law Ted; great granddaughter Grace; sisters Hedy and Lita; and brothers Len, Ed, Bill and Grant.

Born on August 9, 1924 in Poland, she immigrated with her family to Canada in 1928, settling in Sibbald Alberta, later moving to the Gynne Valley. After receiving training in bookkeeping, typing and shorthand as a young adult, she moved to Port Alberni, BC to work for the federal government and later in a doctor’s office. It was in Port Alberni that she met her husband Stan at a Saturday night dance. They were married in 1947 and welcomed their daughter Kathryn Beth in 1951. In 1953, they moved to Natal, BC where Amie opened the first community library for the town and played an integral role in opening a community curling rink. When she wasn’t doting over her family, at the library, or on the curling rink, Amie could be found skiing at the Fernie ski hill or playing golf at the golf course. In 1960, they settled permanently in Colwood BC.

Family was always most important to Amie and she especially loved spending time with her three grandchildren Andrew, Elizabeth and Kaitlyn. She was a wonderful cook and baker and would host large family dinners, always with fine china, crystal glasses and silverware. She was famous for her “three fork dinners,” making spaghetti and meatballs, a recipe that continues to be a mystery her grandchildren try to solve; baking chocolate brownies and blackberry pie from the berries Stan spent hours picking for her; and steeping delicious iced tea. She continued her passion for curling and was a long-standing member of the JDF curling club. She was the president of the Tuesday/Thursday afternoon ladies group for a number of years and curled with the club until she was 90 years old. Amie was an avid reader and gardener. She loved walking the galloping goose trail after dinner, going on winter vacations with Stan to Hawaii and Mexico and cruises to Alaska and the Panama Canal, shopping (“shop til you drop”) in high heels, and taking her entire family to Butchart Gardens every year at Christmas.

She will be lovingly missed by her daughter Kathy Waring; grandchildren Andrew (Katharine), Elizabeth (Aron) and Kaitlyn; great grandchildren Jaden, Jacob, Lily, Harrison and Charlotte; and brother Garry (Judy).