(Sylvia) Daphne Christine Houlden

She will be dearly missed by her extended family - children Pat, Penny (Ralph) and Trevor (Beth); grandchildren Tim (Christie), Rebecca, Rachel, Charlene, and Jonas; and great-grandchildren Cooper and Ben.

Daphne grew up in the Okanagan Mission on her parent’s fruit orchard. She loved to share her vivid memories of her family and community in the days before modern conveniences, including – her favorite – the telephone. She bicycled to high school in Kelowna and enjoyed swimming and fancy dress parties with friends and family. With the coming of World War II, Daphne volunteered for the Royal Canadian Air Force, subsequently serving at RCAF Station Patricia Bay. There she met and married Royal Air Force pilot Buzz Houlden. Later in the war and for a few years following its end, the couple lived in England. As a Mechanical Engineer, Buzz subsequently began a career with Cominco (now Teck Resources). The couple moved to Rossland and later settled in Kimberley, BC. Upon retirement, they moved to Coral Beach in Lake Country to a home they designed and built. Here they enjoyed several very happy decades.

Family and community were always at the heart of their lives together. Skiing, swimming, boating, camping, and singing around the campfire were enjoyed as a family. Daphne was a dedicated member of the Anglican Church’s Altar Guild, volunteered with the Kimberley Public Library and served as Brown Owl with the Girl Guides. Throughout her life, Daphne had a special talent for reaching out and making friends with the people around her.

Daphne was predeceased by her husband Buzz, parents John and Elsie Bell, siblings Jack, Loys, Len, Brian, and Willam, daughter Melanie, and sons-in-law Ken Lotzien (Pat) and Harvey Wright (Melanie).

We would like to thank Dr. Venkataraman for his years of care and kindness during Daphne’s time in Summerland. Also, many thanks to all of the staff of Summerland Seniors Village, in both Assisted Living and Long-term Care, for their support and friendship. And special thanks to caregiver Laurie Kenzie for her thoughtfulness and dedication during Daphne’s final year.

In lieu of flowers the Family suggests a donation to the Nature Conservancy of Canada in memory of Daphne. By her request, the funeral will be family-only.