Elsie "Brownie" May Lake

Brownie passed away peacefully at the age of 103. Brownie will be greatly missed by her son Roger (Chantal) of Peachland, daughter Janice (Brian) of North Vancouver, and son David (Ginny) of Duncan; her grandchildren Tonia, Trevor, Kevin, Jennifer, Steven, Laura, and Danny; her nine great-grandchildren; and the many friends she touched in her life. Brownie's life journey started on December 7, 1914 in Winnipeg, Canada. At the age of 18, she traveled to England by herself (train and boat) to live in Devon with an aunt and an uncle who was the stable master of a wealthy estate. For nearly 5 years, Brownie had a charmed life training and exercising horses. When war broke out in 1939, she enlisted in the Canadian Women Army Corps and was posted to Ilfracombe, Devon, in the Army Pay Corps where, with her mathematical abilities, she soon rose to become Sergeant Brown. Her wartime nickname "Brownie" became her preferred name for the rest of her life. While in Ilfracombe, she met her future husband, Jack, of London, England, who was a Private in the British Army Pay Corps. Brownie always had a laugh letting people know she "outranked" her husband when they met. They married in uniform in 1942 and after the war, they lived in London for 3 years while Jack completed his Chartered Accountant studies. In 1949, they immigrated to North Vancouver where they bought a house and raised their three children. Brownie and Jack truly enjoyed their life in Vancouver. They both loved the ocean and had regular outings to Ambleside, Third Beach and Spanish Banks where they spent countless hours with family and friends. Following Jack's retirement, they traveled to all corners of the world on bus tours and cruises. Brownie and Jack were married for 65 years until Jack passed in 2007. Brownie kept healthy and vibrant driving to Ambleside for daily walks until she gave up her license at the age of 92! She always remained connected to her many friends and family. To all who have known her, Brownie will be remembered as a bubbly, energetic redhead who always said "yes" to life! Her laugh was infectious. She was kind and always made everyone feel so welcome. Until the very end, she appreciated all that life had to offer and never turned down a game of crib or Rummycube, a drive along the ocean, a gondola ride up a mountain, or an opportunity to go dine out…which always included a glass of white wine and a chocolate dessert! The family would like to thank the staff of Summerhill Retirement Residence and Inglewood Care Centre for their extraordinary loving care and support. A Hawaiian themed Celebration of Brownies Life will be held at Boal Chapel, 1505 Lillooet Road, on August 11 at 2pm.