Tuesday, 18 Feb 2020
Ellenor Christine Graham (nee Nelson-Smith) passed away peacefully in Merritt, BC on February 18, 2020 aged 82 years.
She will be sadly missed by her children Allan (Nancy), Susan (Brian) Thompson, Wayne (Valerie), Kathy (Ralph) Reimer and a brother Ralph Nelson-Smith, 12 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. She was predeceased by her parents Arthur and Elizabeth Nelson-Smith and her husband Charles Robert Graham.
She was born at the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster on May 21, 1937 and the family moved to the Nicola Valley in 1945. Ellenor married “Chuck” Graham in Bellingham Washington on July 12, 1954 and before you knew it she was a very busy mom with four children under five years old. She always told us that her biggest accomplishment in life was her children, and the most important thing she was leaving us was her love.
Always volunteering at something, she set an awesome example for her family and community. She was a brownie and girl guide leader, volunteered at the Lower Nicola Community Club, convened the baking section at the Nicola Valley Fall Fair for years, and was treasurer for the Merritt Stock Car Association. Mom worked at the Merrittonian, a local newspaper, as a reporter for a period of time. She then went on to complete her GED to achieve her grade 12 in the early 1980’s and then attended Thompson Rivers College to obtain her Office Admin Certificate. She took an income tax course and started her own H & R Block Tax office in 1982 and worked well into her 60’s, there were still many phone calls asking “Mrs. G” a question or getting her advice. She was a very smart lady and always strived to learn, she took Law Courses, piano lessons, loved to do crossword puzzles and read “real stuff” as she put it, she was also an avid snowmobiler in her younger years.
The family would like to thank the kind and compassionate caregivers at Gillis House where mom resided for her final years. A Celebration of Life for Ellenor will be held at the Nicola Valley Evangelical Free Church on Feb 29, 2020 at 1 pm, with Pastor Perry officiating. Should friends desire donations can be made to Gillis House.
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