Ann Jeannette Dockray

Ann was born in Hampstead, London, England to Phyllis and William Lotter, the first of three daughters. The family moved to Kemsing in Kent where the girls spent many happy years growing up at Queensmead, the family home. After attending Maidstone Grammar School, Ann worked as a Flight Attendant (Air Hostess in those days) with Jersey Airlines before meeting, and falling in love with Frank Dockray, who became her husband in 1961. They had two children, Jacqueline and Kay. With a change in employment, the family moved from England to Scotland and spent seven idyllic years living in Lanark where the girls’ stepbrother, Colin, would join them for a portion of each year. Ann and Frank then embarked on a huge adventure when they emigrated to Canada in 1976, and settled in Bolton, Ontario. After eight years in Bolton, they returned to the UK once again to run a pub, Ye Old Elm Tree, in Durham City. This would see them through to retirement, and many happy years thereafter travelling Europe and other wonderful places.

Ann learned French in school and was gifted with the ability to easily pick up other languages. She was a wonderful writer and was very artistic and creative, pursuing oil painting for a while. She loved racquet sports and was hard to beat on the tennis and squash courts. Ann was a naturalist at heart and enjoyed learning about all the plants around her wherever she was and especially about their nutritional and healing properties. She was an avid gardener and had that enviable “green thumb” that resulted in beautiful gardens and delicious fresh vegetables and fruits wherever she lived. Ann came to Prince George to be near her grandchildren, whom she dearly loved, and actively take part in their day-to-day lives, picking them up after school, looking after them and Buddy, the family dog, and joining in with all the daily and special occasions – she was an amazing Granny! She was independent, strong, determined, kind, thoughtful, adventurous, fun-loving, brave, genuine, and an absolutely beautiful person.

Ann will be deeply missed by her daughter, Jacqui, son-in-law Brent Murray, and her two grandchildren, Euan and Sabina. She is also mourned by her sister, Denise (aka Poppet), as well as dear family friends, Hugues and Linda. She is predeceased by her loving husband, Frank (2007) and her precious daughter, Kay (1985). Her dear stepson, Colin, passed away in 2022; she is fondly remembered by his daughters Sonia and Claire and their families. She is also predeceased by her beloved sister, Jane (2017), and her mother and father. The Murray clan will sincerely miss Ann, whom they immediately and warmly embraced as family, as will her grand-dogs, Buddy and Pippin.

Family meant everything to Ann, and leaving the bulk of her family behind in the UK when they emigrated to Canada was extremely difficult for her. Thankfully, many family members visited in Canada, easing her homesickness. She loved all her in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and endeavoured to keep them up to date over the years writing amazingly newsy letters. Ann had many wonderful friends all over the world, thanks to her travels, with whom she also enjoyed keeping in touch.

We would like to sincerely thank Dr. I. Khan whose care of Mum has always been exemplary, right to her final days. And to the amazing nurses and care aides at Simon Fraser Lodge, thank you for your gentle and attentive care of Mum during her time there, and especially in her last days, along with the many kindnesses shown to her family. A very special thank you to Linda for caring for and comforting Mum during her hospital stay.

If you are able, donations of your time and/or money to your favourite cause while thinking of Ann would be very much appreciated. A few of her favourites were the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in the UK, Alzheimer Society, and the David Douglas Botanical Garden Society in Prince George.