Jean Milton (nee Fraser), passed on August 21, 2020.
Jean was predeceased by her husband Jack Milton, sister Glenys Pritchett, and sister-in-law Ann Boyd. She leaves behind her four children: Sharon Waldern (Trent), Allan Milton (Cheryl), Laurie Baldwin (Doug) and Leann Milton; nine grandchildren: Alison Gregory (Myles), Lindsay Milton, Shyla Waldern, Ian Waldern, Ainsley Shymko (Adam), Alecia Baldwin, Lieren Milton-Wood (Brandon McDivitt), Connor Milton-Wood (Kate Proznick) and Leith Milton-Wood; and five great grandchildren: Keegan, Riley and Dorren Gregory and Jordyn and Brooklyn Shymko. Jean also leaves behind her brother Allan Fraser (Diane) and brother-in-law Bob Boyd, in addition to all her nieces, nephews and cousins.
Jean was a lifelong resident of Kamloops and married Jack Milton in 1954. Over the next ten years their family grew to include four children. Although maintaining a household of four busy children, She always found time to be involved in all our activities throughout the years, even after she went to work for J. Milton Ltd. She could always be found cheering us on at the countless sporting events and other activities. She always encouraged and supported us to work and develop our own unique skills and continued the tradition with all of her grandchildren. She taught us that whatever we committed to, we followed through with and completed. She was sharp with a quick wit and a great sense of humor, and could always be counted on for a laugh. Grandma never missed a thing, she truly did have eyes in the back of her head.
Jean loved spending time at the cabin on Little Shuswap Lake, whether it was a quiet weekend with just her and Jack, a house full of all the kids’ friends or one of the many family reunions. She also enjoyed knitting, creating keepsakes for family members, and in her later years became involved in a wide variety of different crafts which she thoroughly enjoyed. Jean will be remembered most of all for her generosity and delicious family meals (with a few notable failures). Our home and cabin were always open to family and friends whom she embraced, welcomed and ensured never left hungry. Jean was a force to be reckoned with and she leaves behind a void that will never be filled.
Shirley Fraser
Shirley Cumberland
Sybil Freeman
Sybil Hogan Sybil is also in the class of 1950
Willam passed away at RIH the evening of Aug. 28, 2022 surrounded by and engulfed in the love of his wife Mary and family members.
Bill was born to William and Emily Kelly, who resided in Avola B.C. (due to William senior's posting as CN section foreman). He was baby brother to Beth (deceased 2001) (Armand Cordonier) and Jean (deceased 1997) (Ken McDonald - deceased 2012). The family moved from there to Little Fort and finally to Kamloops. Life was good at 619 Pine Street. It was at this time that the lifelong friendship with Doug Drummond and Martin Dohm began, (with the threesome still reliving memories at Bill's 90th birthday gathering) of boys paddling the river in their home-made kayaks, bicycling and roaming the hills and riding their Harleys in their young rebel era.
Bill's first job after cutting his schooling short in 1948 was as CN Crew Caller, often riding his bicycle many miles to give the 'call'. He also worked as a masonry assistant. From there he worked as a much sought-after sawyer in numerous sawmills around the interior until finally obtaining a permanent position at CN as Conductor/Brakeman until his retirement in 1990 with the phasing out of the caboose.
In December 1955, Bill married Elizabeth (Bessie) McGillivray and whisked her away to a little sawmill shack in the Cariboo where he was then employed. After settling back in Kamloops, they started their family of four girls - Cathy Marr (Kim), Aaron Marr; Tina Marr - Pat Ives (Mike - deceased), Jessica Ives (Ted Lawrence) and Jane; Libby Ives (Joe); Ali Ives (Kate) - Colleen Lepik (Kerry), Lea Lafontaine (Will) and Benoit; Scott Lepik (Shawna) and Henri, Brooklyn - Maureen Kelly (Tom Perry).
Bill, Bessie and family moved to a 50-acre hobby hay farm along the river at Vinsulla where he worked tirelessly, as well as working full-time for CN. The girls have many wonderful memories of skiing, camping, boating, waterskiing, hiking, riding and 4H. In 1988 Bessie passed away much too early, after a lengthy illness.
In 1992 Bill began (what he referred to as) Chapter 2, when after retirement, he left the hobby farm and married Mary Spencer, also adding to the mix Mary's three grown sons - Duane Spencer (Annie) - Steve Spencer (Cheryl) Jenna, Bailie, Erika - Kelly Spencer (Jesse) Liam, Ethan - as well as Mary's large extended family.
Bill and Mary spent great times together camping, riding, cycling, hiking, ocean kayaking and skiing, as well as many large family get-togethers with much singing, dancing and homegrown music. They travelled to many places including Bill's parents' birthplace in Ireland. During this time his building projects were many, transforming their home property, as well as building a get-away cabin at Mad River.
Upon suffering a major stroke in 2006, Bill remained resilient and accepting and turned to his passion of reading of BC History and amassed a large library of such. He managed to stay cheerful and often said "I've had a great life - all the way through".
Being ever curious, Bill was a life-long learner. He was confident and capable with many abilities - though always humble. He is described by his daughters and stepsons as a man of integrity and a wonderful role model to them as well as his grandchildren. He was well loved and his large presence will be terribly missed.
