Edith Alice Randall

Edith Alice Randall, (known as Alice) is the 7th of 8 children. She was born November 18, 1924 at home on a farm in New Osgoode, Saskatchewan. In the 1920's and 1930's life on the farm was challenging. Her clothes were made from bleached flour sacks and her family’s food had to be grown or produced on their farm. Our mom often said that during the hungry thirties she was fortunate to live on a farm because at least they had food. She was raised in a home where tramps that came by the farm were always fed a meal before they went on their way.

Alice traveled several miles to school by horse and buggy in warm weather and by horse and sleigh during the winter months. School was locally available until 8th grade. During those early years Alice thought of being a nurse but figured she wasn't strong enough. After that she considered being an actress but she thought she wasn't pretty enough. Finally, Alice decided to become a teacher and continued her education and completed 9th and 10th grade by correspondence. For grade 11 and 12 she lived with a family in town and worked for her room and board. Her last month of grade 12 her father paid for her room and board so she would have study time. Teacher's training started one week after high school ended. Two months later at age 18 she was teaching in a one room school house with multiple grades.

Our mom first met our dad when she was 15 years old. One day Alice's older sister Marjorie who worked at the Randall farm received a ride home from Allan and that day mom's family was making ice-cream. Allan joined in by cranking the ice-cream maker and our mom (as the annoying younger sister) dropped some ice down the back of Allan's neck. Mom thought it was a great joke until Allan took off chasing her. When Alice thought he was getting to close, she called out to her dog "Bounce, get him". Allan went home with a shoe full of blood.

Alice at age 16 received a promise ring and committed that she wouldn't marry until Allan got back from the war. She made her wedding dress from parachute silk that Allan had sent home from Europe. Allan returned from the war and they were married July 8, 1947.

Initially they lived on a farm and their home was a converted grainery. Alice taught school and Allan worked the farm. In 1948 their first son Glen was born then their daughter Gloria arrived in 1950. Both children were born in Tisdale, Saskatchewan.

In 1952 the family moved to B.C. Dale was born in Comox, Robert and Donna-Lee were born in Duncan. The family moved to Mission in 1958 and in 1960 Lynn was born.

Alice had become a Christian during the time our family lived in Duncan. Glen can remember her being baptized in a horse trough on the stage of a little Brethren Church.

Alice was an amazing mother who prayed daily for her children and future generations. She had a true pioneer spirit. Throughout her life she overcame hardships with creativity, hard work and perseverance. Her resourcefulness and artistic flare was demonstrated in how she made our clothing and taught us to find quality items at second hand stores. She raised her family in a variety of living conditions that included a tent, a shed, a garage, a house with no running water, and a rental house that was affectionately called "the barn".

Once all the children were in school Alice returned to teaching. She taught full time in the Mission School District for over 20 years.

Her retirement years were filled with gardening, knitting and crocheting, writing poetry, baking and solving Soduko. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and hosting large family and community gatherings.

Alice lived a very active and healthy life until she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June 2012. She was an example of dignity, grace and courage as she dealt with an illness that took her life on October 5, 2012. God granted her 3 final wishes, to die at home, in her own bed and peacefully in her sleep.

She is predeceased by her husband Allan in October 1995, siblings Elsmere Will, Bea Hubble, Thelma Wrigley and Dorothy Murton.

She is survived by her 6 children Glen (Jolleen), Gloria (Murphy) Pottage, Dale (Merna), Robert (Linda), Donna-Lee and Lynn (Brian) Higgins-Jouget, 28 grandchildren, Sandy (Tim) Goyer, Chris (Teresa), Timothy, Elizabeth (Kyle) Snyder, Rebecca (Mark) Maxwell, Stephanie (Rob) Luke, Jessica, Kimberly (engaged to Nathan), Matthew, Katherine and Kristina Randall. Karen (Bryan) MacBurney, Nathaniel (Michelle), Danny, Milannie (Kris) Brown, Glen, John (Elizabeth) and David Pottage. Michael (Jeneva), Amy (Bryan) Wozniak, Jonathan and Anna Randall. Grant (Abby), Steven (Gabrielle), Evelyn, David, Kathy and Bruce Higgins. 15...soon to be 18 great- grandchildren, sisters Myrtle VanLeutervelt, Marjorie Thomas and Aileene Snider as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers donations would be appreciated to Food for the Hungry (fhcanada.org) for continued support of Alice's 2 sponsored girls in Rwanda.