Inez Maj-Britt Alice Parr

Inez Maj-Britt Alice Parr was born on October 29, 1925 in Bjorna, Sweden to Solomon and Christina Nazell. She immigrated to Canada arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1926. The family moved to BC and lived at Britannia Beach where Solomon worked at Britannia Mines. Maj-Britt lived in Upper Britannia, in a settlement of a few homes, until she was school aged. She is still best friends with her neighbor Judy, 96 years later. Then her family moved to the small northern mining community of Herb Lake, Manitoba. Maj-Britt went to school there until the end of grade ten. Growing up in a small mining town in the 1930’s taught Maj-Britt many skills to be independent. She moved west and attended Kitsilano Highschool for grades 11 and 12 and went to business school then worked as a policy writer for an insurance company.

Maj-Britt met Ted, the love of her life, in 1948 at Hollyburn Ski Hill where Ted had built a cabin. She married Colin Edward Parr (Ted) on July 16, 1949 in Vancouver, BC. They loved to downhill ski and cross country ski and they spent many happy times at dances at Hollyburn Lodge. In 1951 they both quit their jobs to join her parents on a world adventure. They drove in Solomon’s car across the states to New York, and took their car on the ship to the UK and Sweden where they visited relatives. Maj-Britt was able to understand her native language until her final days. She had a special bond with her Swedish cousins and enjoyed speaking Swedish whenever she had the opportunity.

In June 1952, son Ken was born in Vancouver. Then they moved to Brampton, Ontario where Ted worked with Ontario Telephone. After two years they moved west to Cranbrook, BC and Ted worked with BC Telephone. In July 1957 their daughter Britt was born. While living in Cranbrook, May and Ted purchased property at Moyie Lake and spent many happy summers developing the property and after retirement, building a beautiful summer home. Maj-Britt continued to enjoy holidays at Moyie every summer after Ted passed away. She spent time playing cards and swimming with her three granddaughters Chelsea, Kali and Lisa. She insisted on her daily Happy Hour with friends and neighbors, a tradition enjoyed by everyone. After Cranbrook, May and Ted lived in Nelson, then Kamloops before moving to North Vancouver.

Maj-Britt was an independent and adventurous woman starting as a child. As a young woman she loved to go to dances at Hollyburn and at the local dance halls with her girlfriends. In the summers she enjoyed going to dude ranches in the Caribou or Okanagan. In later years with Ted, Hawaii was the yearly holiday adventure with several friends. They enjoyed the ‘sandbox’ at the beach and daily Happy Hours with friends! Maj-Britt and Ted loved to sail in the Gulf Islands and they sailed their boat in the Expo 1986 Island Odyssey expedition around Vancouver island. They went on a number of trips including a two week cruise in The Carribean West Indies, on a ship around South America, and travelling by van across Canada and the United States. May and Ted made many memorable trips to Sweden, England, Ireland and Scotland. May also travelled to Egypt and enjoyed cruises with her best friend June getting in and out of trouble and having a lot of fun together!

May had a quick wit, always a smile, and liked playing bridge and having coffee with friends! She enjoyed hosting many dinner and ski parties. May loved living in her condo for thirty-two years with its beautiful views and wonderful neighbors. She was always excited about a new adventure to Pender Harbour or Salt Spring Island with her granddaughters, or cruises to Alaska/Hawaii with her son and friends. Maj-Britt will be remembered for her love for life, her kindness and her sweetness. May was musical and loved to play piano and may be saying now "can I play it again for you Ted" as they find each other once again in the universe ahead.

Memorial donations can be made to the Lion’s Gate Hospital, North Shore Hospice or Canadian Cancer Society.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.firstmemorialnorthvancouver.com for the Parr family.