Born in Magnolia Alberta Feb 03 1929!
Daughter of Doris and Jacob Usselman in a family of seven boys and seven girls. As she described it, “fourteen kids and an outhouse in the cold Alberta winter was not fun”. Eventually the family moved to warmer surroundings and settled on Chickadee Lane in Surrey BC. Plenty of chores back then and everyone pitched in. Mom baked the bread every day. Her younger brother Lloyd would always steal the loaf ends as the bread cooled. Many a fight ensued! She got a job at Royal City Cannery and said it was hard work but everyone was so fun. But the time her dad came and collected her paycheque had her miffed to put it mildly.
She loved to dance and her favourite place was Kennedy Heights Hall. There she met our dad Colin. They were married Jan 15 1954 in Surrey BC. They built a small cozy house in Whalley BC on 101A ave. Back then you could hear the fog horns all the way from English bay. Here was born Calvin in 1955 and Lynn in 1956. In 1959 they moved to a new house in North Surrey where they stayed for 56 years. The youngest Moreen was born in 1959.
Touring the provinces of BC and Alberta visiting relatives in all these old cars made for some exciting summer vacations. Camping all along the way. Several breakdowns, fishing, boating and a lot of laughs.
In 1974 her grandson Scott was born to Lynn. She loved him to bits.
A wonderful sense of humour. Always a story and a laugh. She played the guitar, practiced Tai Chi, and enjoyed water skiing although water was not her favourite thing. Gardens, gardens, gardens. She loved Orchids and could always get them to re-bloom. She was an avid golfer and of course got a hole in one.
She worked at Dare foods in Surrey for many years making cookies which made us kids very happy. But not all was nice as her starting wage in the 1960s was 75¢ per hour. Over the years she became very involved in the union until rising to President of her local. Always the fight for a proper wage for equal work. She reluctantly retired when the Dare Foods factory closed. Then of course went out and bought herself a new 1996 Mustang and zoomed all over town. The car is still in the family.
She decided that a pond with a fountain and goldfish in the backyard would be neat.
Five iterations later it was triple the size and had a cover to keep out the Raccoons, Herons and mom! Final count was 76 goldfish and one Koi.
Mom and dad took the family to Hawaii several times for great, great memories. Moreen and her husband Anil shepherded them through many adventures. Calvin and his wife Denise joined them for two trips to Maui.
As their health declined mom and dad decided to move to a Seniors residence in Victoria, BC. Finally settling in at Amica house on Douglas road across from Beacon hill park. Out her window she observed the many sights of this tourist city. Often waving at the people as they passed. One lady even sent up flowers as mom’s smile and wave cheered her so. Her favourite times were the visits to all the gardens of the city.
Mom and dad celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Jan 15 2019! And of course, the Queen sent her congratulations.
Over the years that family of fourteen kids had dwindled to just three. But now there are two. Lloyd in Prince George and Jim in Hope. Mom passed away July 3 2019!
Good bye our dear sweet mom.
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