Jessie Elizabeth Cole

Mom was born January 1, 1928 to Harry & Eva Sayer. May of 1930 brought the addition of her sister Rosa to complete the family.

Mom grew up in Marpole, a district of Vancouver with fond memories of them singing, playing piano & violin, attending Sunday school, church & band at the Salvation Army ministry then later at Marpole Baptist church.  Picnics on Bowen Island & Newcastle Island. Picking up tasty fish & chips from the Granville st. White Spot.  Singing and playing piano was a lifelong joy.

At the young age of 11, Mom began housekeeping for her mothers friend in North Vancouver. This required her to travel alone from Marpole to North Vancouver.  She was 16 when having to leave school, began to work full time for BC Telephone city switchboards and vividly remembered the supervisors wearing rollerskates to patrol the long tollboard room.

An invitation in early 1940s by good friend Pearl McKenzie to visit Pearls sister & family (Jessie & Henry Knudson) sparked Moms love of Sayward and the valley.  During a visit in 1946 to the McKenzies was how Mom met husband Eric, marrying him on June 14, 1947.  They lived and worked in Vancouver until moving to Sayward via Union steamship in 1952.

In 1949 their daughter Beth was born and in 1958 their son Harry to complete the family.

Many good memories were made for the family growing up in the Sayward Valley including fishing, eating fresh garden peas and riding the “ pealputt tractor”.

Mom joined Sayward Womens Institute in 1953 helping with fund raising for charitable causes and served a term as provincial secretary.  Sayward ringdown/partyline system was upgraded to dial phone in 1959/60 and Mom worked part-time for BC Tel to help with the changeover.  In 1964 she accepted the position of Office Secretary for the Sayward Secondary School and enjoyed this job until retiring in 1976.

Mom and Dad lived their retired years in Ladysmith and Campbell River. Mom later moved to Nanaimo for her remaining years.

Predeceased by her parents and loving husband Eric in 1996.

She will be greatly missed by her children Beth (Mel), Harry(Debbie), grandchildren Loretta, Jessalyn (Brett), Hailey (Jorden), Ben and great grandchildren Eric and Alex.

The words “Thank you” seem hardly enough to say to all the staff of Kiwanis Village and the carers, nurses & doctor at the Kiwanis Lodge for the excellent, loving care our mother received.

For those wishing to help celebrate the life of our mother a donation to the Salvation Army is appreciated www.salvationarmy.ca . 

In this time of pandemic a private service will be held