Obituary of Rosalie Elena Sherret

Our dear mother, Rosalie Elena Sherret, "Lena" to all who knew her, passed from this world on December 1, 2013. While our lives are significantly less without her we are blessed by her legacy of kindness, goodness and unwavering love.

Lena was a Kootenay woman through and through. She was born in Cranbrook, and her first home with parents Lionel and Eliza Pippen and sister Laura was at Fort Steele. The family then moved to Mayook where her brother Clifford and sister Florence came into the family. Lena's commitment to community service was a value instilled by her parents and the early settlers of the Mayook Valley. She continued this legacy of service when she moved to Bassano, Alberta and became a practical nurse. Her education instilled a sense of pride and independence that she passed on to her children. She returned to Cranbrook where she worked at the St. Eugene hospital, met her husband Dave and they were married in 1954. They started their family of five children in Cranbrook then moved to Mayook to farm the land settled by her parents and Irish uncles, Jack and George Humphrys. She was a friend and neighbour to all who lived in the Mayook Valley. Lena embraced her life as a farming woman and she took great pride in her family, her garden and her cows. She was a welcoming and ever helpful neighbour and she delighted in impromptu visits that always included a cup of tea or an extra seat at the dinner table. Community was of great importance to Lena. She was a devoted member of the Anglican Church and as an Anglican Church Woman she was renown for her homemade bread and knitted mittens for their annual fall bazaar. After leaving the farm, Lena and Dave moved back to Cranbrook to enjoy retirement. Again, Lena's love for her community shone through in her volunteer work with the Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Store and the Key City Theatre. Lena also loved to travel, especially the three trips to Ireland to visit her ancestral home. Perhaps her greatest joy was realized in her role as grandmother and great-grandmother. She is predeceased by her sister Laura, husband Dave and daughter-in-law Toni. She leaves to celebrate her life her children and family: David, Rosemary, Megan and Sheila; Laura Lynn, Bob, Tyson and Eliza; Brian; Melvin, Jill, Kya and India; Norma, Denis, Sarah, Todd and Chelsa and four great grandchildren.

Mum's devotion to her family, friends and community are reflected in the following words:

I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.

A memorial service for Lena will be held on Thursday December 5, 2013 at 1:00 pm at Christ Church Anglican in Cranbrook, BC.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation is honour of Lena may do so to East Kootenay Regional Hospital Auxiliary, 13 - 24th Avenue North, Cranbrook, British Columbia, V1C 3H9 in her name.