Winifred Hazel Halsey passed away peacefully on January 30, 2013 at Mountain Lake Seniors Community in Nelson B.C. She was born in Littlewick, England in 1912. She was predeceased by her parents Edith and Harry Russel of South Slocan B.C., her brother Jim of Glasgow, Scotland, sister Marjorie of Tsawassen B.C., and Tom, her loving husband of 65 years,; grandchildren, Terri -Lee Halsey and Shaun Skene, and son-in-law Ron Skene. She is survived by her sister “Bea” Palmer, children Gordon (Phyllis), Ken (Shirley), Hazel, and grandchildren Keith (Carol), Kevin, Brad, and Sarah (Steve). Great grandchildren, Cynthia, Carlie and Shauna McLean of Anmore, BC.
The family emigrated to Canada, settling at South Slocan where “Win” attended elementary school. Growing up in South Slocan the family enjoyed many hiking, fishing, swimming and picnic outings and Win played tennis. Many days where spent at the South Slocan Pool swimming and looking for arrowheads. While attending Nelson High School, she was recruited at age 17 to take Nurse’s Training in the Kootenay Lake Hospital, Nelson. She graduated as Validictorian of her class. While nursing in Nelson she met Tom whom she married in 1935.
They raised their children in a house Tom built in Fairview. Mum was active in the Church of Redeemer, singing in the choir and serving on the Womens’ Auxiliary and Altar Guild and also on the auxiliary for the Hospital. Her interest in the outdoors coincided with Dad’s keen interest in fishing and boating on Kootenay Lake. Family holidays were frequently spent on the boat and camping around Kootnay Lake. It was not uncommon for Mum to catch more fish than Dad. They enjoyed dancing with the Scottish Country Dance Club in Nelson, and square dancing in Kaslo and Nelson. Where-ever Mum lived she cultivated a flower and vegetable garden. Her interest in family history took her back to England to visit her birthplace in the family home in Littlewick and the vacation spots in Bath, Looe and Pulpero. As well she visited Jim and family in Glasgow. While briefly living in Kaslo, Mum worked with her husband in the Hardware store. While there, they took up golfing and Mum served as Club president. After retiring in Nelson they returned to Kaslo where they built a new home. Their motor home took Win and Tom to golf courses and fishing streams throughout southern B.C and Vancouver Island. A visit by “Gran” and “Grandad” to Vancouver or Victoria always included a golf game with Keith, Kevin, Gordon and Phyllis.
After several years in Kaslo they moved back to Nelson and continued to enjoy their many outdoor activities with family and friends.
Mum enjoyed a nightly crib game with Dad and card games with her grandchildren; she played the piano; she enjoyed a good joke and she had a reputation as a kind and generous neighbour – often assisting them with professional nursing duties. She joined with the rest of the family when we all learned to ski and she curled with Dad in Nelson. In her last years at Mountain Lake Senior Community she had a reputation for being a spunky and enthusiastic participant in wheel chair races; she was a ready participant in the bingo and the music sessions.
We thank all the staff at Mountain Lake for their professional care, compassion and good humour while looking after Mum.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of her life will take place at a later date.