March 15, 1922 –
April 24, 2015
Our heavenly Father, in His wisdom and at His appointed time, called home to Himself “Granny”, or “Rev.’, as she was known by many in Nelson at the age of 93. “Granny” was born in Nelson in the old High St. KLGH, the youngest child of Caleb and Frances (Boustead) Parker.
“Granny” is survived by: 1 son Donald Gordon (Lois) of Langley, BC, 1 daughter Carol Daykin (Stan) of Houston, BC, 5 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 4 generations of nieces and nephews.
“Granny” was pre-deceased by her parents, husband, all 12 of her siblings and their spouses, 3 children, and 1 grandson.
Even though “Granny” would venture from Nelson occasionally, her heart remained in the Royal City of Nelson, BC where she lived most of her 93 years. She spent the last 4 years of her life in the loving care of the staff of Nelson Jubilee Manor and Dr. Janz.
Over the years “Rev” ministered both physically and spiritually to many people. She was a trained nurse and worked at the Nootka Mission Hospital at Esperanza, BC, as well as at the Nelson Jubilee Manor in Nelson, BC. “Rev” became an Ordained Minister in 1975, when there were very few women ministers. She received her Bachelor of Theology in 1977 and her Doctorate of Divinity in 1978. Over the years “Rev” had preached as a fill-in pastor in most of the churches in Nelson. She could always be reliably called upon on short notice to preach or play organ. She had a great love of music especially for the bagpipes and the organ, and her singing career started when she was about 8 years old in a church choir and went on well into her 80’s as she sang with the Billy Graham Crusade Choirs in both Canada and the USA. She continued to have a love of learning, and serving her entire life, like working at the Nelson Food Bank. She also worked as a night clerk and in housekeeping at the “Queens Hotel” in Nelson, BC for about 10 years, was linen supervisor to the Canadian Kewick Conferences in Ontario, and at the Lake Louise Hotel. She had a lot of variety in her life that took her close to people and their needs.
“Granny” will be missed by many for her humor, wit, and attention to detail, especially when it came to the history of the Royal City of Nelson, or her Lord, as she was a frequent contributor to the newspaper editorials and ministerial columns.
A Memorial in Celebration of “Granny’s” life will be held April 23, 2016 at 11am in the Nelson Memorial Cemetery. At the site of her beloved brother, J. Edward Parker, who was a victim of the Kuskanook Disaster, Kaslo, BC on July 13, 1925.
To honor “Granny’s” love for the needy and orphaned, in lieu of flowers please make donations to OUR DAILY BREAD – hot lunch program in Nelson, BC at the Kootenay Christian Fellowship Church, 520 Falls St., Nelson, BC, V1L 6B5 or to HaitiArise also sponsored by the KCFC.
Online condolences may be expressed at
www.thompsonfs.ca