In loving memory, with heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of our dear mother, Mildred Lillian Thatcher, at the age of 98, in Nanaimo with family at her bedside. She was a bright and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.
Born in Courtenay, B.C., to parents Robert Ernest (aka Ernie) and Evelyn Josephine Morley (nee Pourier), Mildred was the eldest sibling to Doris, June, Pat, Ernie, and Bill. She lived her entire life on Vancouver Island where her father worked as a station master for the railway.
Mildred's family was a musical one and she learned the piano from her father at an early age. The little daily lessons turned into a passion for her. She played music all her life, skilled at playing piano by ear. After graduation, Mildred felt the calling to serve and joined the military at age 18 where she worked in the intelligence 'War Room' in Victoria, B.C., during WWII. The stories we heard as a family from Mom, or what she often answered to, Nana or Great Nana, were always very gripping, and they never got old. Her service has been recognized on the Veterans' Wall of Honour at the Vancouver Island Military Museum in Nanaimo. After the war, Mildred worked as a Practical Nurse in both Ladysmith and Nanaimo. She became an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion and a certified First Aider with St. John Ambulance.
Mom met Frederick Duncan Thatcher in Ladysmith at a dance, they married in 1945 and made their home on the poultry, later dairy, farm on Thatcher Road that belonged to the family for generations. Mom and Dad raised four girls and two boys on the farm where lifelong work ethics and family traditions developed. Family and friends were always around to give a helping hand and to join the fun. We will forever cherish all the happy times around the supper table, listening to mom playing the piano in the living room, and her taking us swimming at the river after our chores were finished. After Fred passed away suddenly in 1981, she continued to maintain the farm for several years. An avid gardener and an amateur painter, she later developed a passion for travel and her adventures included road trips in a 29-foot motorhome with her good friend Elinore (aka Bebie) Hackwood. Mom loved her little dogs and had two very special ones later in her life, Princess and Misty.
Predeceased by her parents, Ernie and Evelyn Morley, her husband Fred and daughter Beverly Grace Hagen, her three sisters, Doris Plant, June Sedola and Pat Thomas, brother Ernie, and great grandson Tyronne Wood. Survived by her children and in-laws, Carol Evelyn Wood (Peter), Freda Marie Bassanello (Al), Hans Hagen, Louise Mildred Judson (Gordon), James Edgar Thatcher (Lingbo), Frederick Morley Thatcher (Jessica), her brother William (aka Bill) Morley, and 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren!
As per Mom's wishes, she was cremated and there will be no formal service. Her remains will be interred at a later date at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens, next to our Dad.
Mom loved life and was always there for our entire family and will forever remain in our hearts.
For more about Mom see:
https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/sands-nanaimo/obituaries/thatcher-mildred-lillian-nee-morley/99521