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Ethel Dunsmore

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother, Ethel Dunsmore, on December 3, 2010 at Eagle Park Care Facility in Qualicum Beach.

Ethel was born in Field, B.C. on October 25, 1924 to Jim & Jean Mann. When she was 6 weeks old the family moved to Cranbrook, where she grew up. Always active, she played ice hockey, basketball and participated in track and field. During the summer, she spent time at the pool, where she became an accomplished swimmer and eventually lifeguard.

After high school, she moved to Vancouver where she worked at the Boeing plant as a riveter until the plant closed at the end of the war. At the end of 1945, she moved to Nanaimo with her family and it was here that Ethel met Gordon, whom she married in March 1946. Always a firm believer that there were no such thing as male jobs and female jobs, she proudly boasted of cutting every stud in the home they built and where they raised their 4 children. Her independent spirit became obvious after Gordon passed away in 1989 as she continued the camping they so enjoyed at Big Qualicum River, until she was 83. It was there that she truly enjoyed herself and made many friends, old and young, who learned the meaning of her Irish humour. Many mornings were spent over an early cup of coffee with her friend Ev, and it was here the family came to spend time with her over the spring and summer. Each and every one of us have wonderful memories of those fun filled times which keep us coming back to that special place. She was well looked after and would admit that she was not afraid to ask one of the men for help if there was something she couldn’t do herself. Family was very important to Ethel. Trips to Pitt Meadows, from her new home in Bowser, to spend time with her 4 grandchildren were frequent and not just for holidays and birthdays. A visit to Cranbrook each spring, to spend time with her sister Helen and her many nieces and nephews who still live in the area, was another example of her love of family.

In March of 2008, Ethel was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, which brought her to Eagle Park and into the care of a wonderful group of individuals who looked after her with compassion and respect until her passing.

Ethel was predeceased by her husband, Gordon; her mother and father; her brother, George and sisters: Margaret and Ida. She is survived by her daughter, Anne and son-in-law Frank Middleton and his sons, also their grandchildren and great granddaughters; son Gordon and daughter-in-law Lisa and her daughter and son; daughter Barbara; daughter Donna and son-in-law Brian Baldock and her grandchildren: Melissa, Sarah, Matthew and Spenser. She is also survived by her sister Helen and brother-in-law Joe and sister-in-law Barbara and brother-in-law Wayne as well as many nieces and nephews on both sides of her family.

A service will be held for Ethel at Grace United Church in Coombs on Saturday, January, 15, 2011, 1:30pm. with a celebration of her life to be held at the Qualicum First Nations Band Hall on the Big Qualicum River at 3:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a donation in Ethel’s memory, please send to Cure PSP at 30 E. Padonia Road, Suite 201, Timonium, MD 20193, USA.

The family would like to thank our family and many friends, including those at Eagle Park, for their help and shared memories of our mother at this difficult time.



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