Edith Anne Gregory

Edith (Edie) Anne was born in Salmon Arm to Herbert and Anne (McCurdy) Elliott. As the eldest sister to Hylda (Peg) and Sandra (Sas), she always looked out for them with care and love. Whether walking them to school or rescuing them from the apple tree outside their bedroom window, Edie took her role as big sister very seriously. Despite the miles that sometimes separated them, the three sisters shared a close enduring bond. They kept strong relationships with one another through countless phone calls, visits, and family trips throughout the years. Their kids often referred to them as ESP because they were always in each other’s thoughts.

Edie met Gordon Herbert Gregory one day when she was walking home from work at a bank in Salmon Arm. Gordon was living in Vernon at the time but had decided to take one of his convertibles out for a drive with his friend. Luckily for Gordon, he saw a pretty lady walking on the side of the road and decided to pull over, little did he know that pretty lady would soon become his wife.

During their courtship Gordy felt that he was doubly lucky because Edie’s father owned a cabin at Pierre’s Point on Shuswap Lake. Many happy summers were spent there boating, laughing around the campfire, and making wonderful memories with family and friends. Later, Edie and Gordy purchased their own cabin to share with their kids and friends until they sold it in the early 80’s.

Edie and Gordy were married on November 30, 1956. Shortly after, their sons Dean and Randall (Randy) were born in Vernon. In 1962, Gordy and Edie moved their family to Kamloops where both their daughters Tara and Mianne were born.

Throughout the years, Edie supported and worked alongside Gordy in their various business ventures. This included the Pacific 66 Station/Tiger Tune-up at Seymour and 6th, the Shell Service Station at 6th and Victoria (most recently Frick and Frack), Big T Marine and Budget Rent-A-Car. Budget Rent-A-Car/ Storage was the most noted since they successfully ran the business for 28 years before selling in 1998.

Edie and Gordy loved to travel, so when they semi-retired in 1986 they bought a truck and camper and began travelling to California and Mexico. Once they were fully retired, they traded their camper in for a fifth wheel and their Kamloops home in for a smaller townhouse and became Snowbirds, spending 6 months in Canada and the other 6 months in California. After a few years they were tired of pulling the fifth wheel around and decided to purchase a lot in a trailer park (later known as Chabelos) on the Little Shuswap Lake in Chase. Eventually they sold their Kamloops townhouse and built a park model on the lot at Little Shuswap, leaving the fifth wheel on a rented lot in Palm Desert, California. Their favourite part of their travelling adventures were the wonderful friendships they developed and maintained over the years.

Once their Snowbird days were over, Edie and Gordy sold the park model and lot to build a house next door to their daughter, Tara, and her new family. They lived together in the home they built until Gordy passed on May 8, 2013. Edie continued to live in the home until she moved to Ridgepoint Retirement Residence in August 2019. At the end of 2020, Edie moved to Bedford Manor to be closer to her sister Peg, who already lived there. In 2021, the two of them moved together to Overlander Long Term Care, where Edie lived the rest of her years, passing peacefully in her sleep on Oct 1, 2025.

Edie spent many years, along with Peg, volunteering at the United Church Thrift Store. Every week she looked forward to catching up with the ladies she worked with. She ironed and cleaned the products that were donated to sell, occasionally bringing home and sharing the little finds that she would buy herself.

Edie was very close with her family and most of us can say that she truly was the “wind beneath our wings.” She spent many selfless and loving hours helping take care of her grandkids. She always made time for her kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, and friends. She loved listening and laughing along to stories from the people she cherished. She had a beautiful kind heart and always made you feel heard. When you were talking to Edie you felt like you were the only person in the world at that moment.

Edie was well known for her delicious baking. Neighbours (mainly Tom Caldow), friends and family would line up to be recipients of her cookies and yearly Christmas cakes.

Edie was predeceased by her parents Herb and Anne, husband Gordy, son Dean, daughter Mianne, Auntie Marguerite and Uncle James McCurdy, brothers-in-law Ken Watts and Brian Rodgers, and nephew Shaun Rodgers.

Edie will be deeply missed and remembered by her son Randy (Annette), daughter Tara (Peter Kiss), grandchildren Cody (Emily Middleton), Tegan (Shane Simpson), Annika and Karrie Kiss, great grandchildren Lennon and Maddox Gregory and Demi and Dax Simpson, sisters Peg Watts and Sas Rodgers, nieces Tracey Butner and Sherri Anderson, nephews Tim Watts and Scott Rodgers and their families.

A service in Edie’s honour will be held at the United Church, 431 St. Paul Street, Kamloops, on Saturday, December 20th at 11:00 am with a tea to follow. We will also supply a streaming link for those who will not be able to be there in person. We will attached streaming link to this closer to the December 20th.

Edie loved her many beloved pets; therefore, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the SPCA, Sammy’s Forgotten Felines or Ruff Start Rescue or the Alzheimer’s Society.

Edie’s family would like to thank the staff at Overlander Long Term Care and Dr. Rob Thomasse for making Edie’s last few years as comfortable and dignified as possible. We will always remember their kindness and support.