Lucy Matilda Reid

Mom was born in Hereford, England to John and Lydia Hoddell. Growing up, mom excelled at school, receiving a full scholarship that allowed her to attend high school. There, she enjoyed music and many sports, particularly swimming.

After high school, mom enrolled in an orthopedic nursing school; however, the onset of war interrupted her training. She met and married a Dutch airman, Johann Boate. They lived on several bases in northern England and Scotland. Sadly, when she was three months pregnant, her husband went missing in action following an air strike over Germany. Mom returned to live with her family in Hereford, where her son John was born in 1942.

Near the end of the war, mom met our father, Bill Reid, while he was serving his second flying tour of duty in the RCAF. They married in 1945, and our father came back to Canada almost immediately. It was several months before mom and John could follow, and, as so many war brides did, they arrived in Halifax, Pier 21 and made their way across the country. She often spoke of the generosity of the Red Cross meeting the train on the long journey, providing food and supplies for them.

Moving from a city in the green and mild climate of England to a farm in the harsh climate of Saskatchewan was foreign for her as it was for so many. She now had to learn about wood stoves, oil lamps, farm machinery, dust storms, grasshoppers, and mosquitos just to name a few. Dad adopted John, and he and mom had three more children-Carolyn, Maxine and Martin.

Mom didn’t work outside the home, which was not unusual for those days. There was enough work just being a farmer’s wife. She belonged to local Legion Auxiliary, Crocus Vale Ladies Aid and in later years volunteered at the Wheatland Library in town. Mom’s artistic flair was displayed in her talent for decorating cakes for the young brides of the community. She was a talented knitter and always there to lend a hand to someone struggling with a pattern or a stitch. In later years, that talent transformed into painting. She also wrote countless letters. Her Xmas card list was extensive and while people looked forward to getting her letters, her tiny English script was often illegible, and family members had to be called in to translate!

1968 our family suffered the tragic loss of our brother John in an airplane crash while performing as the “Red Knight”, the solo air force acrobatic act.

1974 marked a new chapter for her life. Retiring from farming, Mom, Dad and Martin moved to Brentwood Bay on Vancouver Island. They embraced their new island life making many friends and being involved in the community. They were instrumental in raising funds for the Brentwood community senior centre. Countless hours were spent fundraising at bingos. Dad would call the bingo, while mom sold coffee and Eccles cakes for a quarter!

In 1990, dads declining health prompted a move to downtown Victoria. Here she became an active member of the Victoria Silver Threads and loved volunteering at the Thrift Store they operated on Douglas Street.

Her last years were spent first at the Cridge Centre and then most recently, the Gorge Hospital Care Facility. We are so grateful for the wonderful care she received at both these facilities. God Bless you all!

Mom had a remarkable life over 102 years. She will be remembered by many for her English demeanour – often likened to the Queen! She was incredibly pragmatic, generous, spirited and opinionated. Always engaged in current affairs, she never backed down from a good political debate!

We were incredibly blessed to call her our mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother. A long life, well-lived, she has left us with many memories to cherish.

Mom is predeceased by her parents, Lydia and John Hoddell, sister Clare, brother Bill; husband Bill, son John, son-in-law, Ron Montgomery; great-grandson, Austen Dielsen. She is survived by her daughter Carolyn (Glen Steer), children Sherri (Jim) and Mike; daughter Maxine Montgomery (Harvey Kroll), children Veronica, Angela (Joe Taylor) and John (Christie); son Martin (Heather) and their children Kara (Matt) and Krystal (Glen) as well as numerous great-grandchildren and great, great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

There will be no formal service; her ashes to be interned at the family plot in Hillcrest Gardens, Saskatoon.