Obituary of Nina Fooks (nee Dear)

1924 - 2021

 

"The world was a better and brighter place for 97 years because you were in it."

Nina Fooks (nee Dear) blessed the world when she joined it on January 19th, 1924, in Brandon Manitoba. Her parents, Bill (Floss) and Connie (Joyce) were thrilled to give their oldest daughter, Jean, a baby sister, and the two of them would go on to have a close relationship their entire lives.

Nina grew up primarily in Kamloops where she spent hours on her horses, Trigger and Pepper, hunting, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors. For a time, the family lived in a boarding house run by Mrs. Pearce, who was very instrumental in helping raise the girls and who Nina remembered fondly.

In 1948 Nina met and married the love of her life, Allan Fooks in Kamloops. They went on to have two beautiful children, Dave, and Barb who she loved and adored. Family was everything to her, she doted on her children and later her grand and great grandchildren. Allan and Nina moved to the old airport in Tata Creek in the late 50’s and then on to Burnaby and Agassiz for Allan’s work. They came back to the old airport in 1964 and planted roots there, which is evident by the willow tree that still stands there today.

Eventually they settled in Meadowbrook in 1970 where Nina remained until her 91st year. Nina loved being outside. Her garden was her passion and if she wasn’t gardening at home, she was helping others develop their own green thumb. She had a special knack for keeping beautiful orchids and was well known around Kimberley as the "Orchid Lady". She shared them freely with everyone through the Garden Club and the Library, where she volunteered for many years. Her love of the outdoors also translated to volunteering with Girl Guides and Brownies, and she passed along her wisdom and love of nature to the generations below her.

Nina was always up for an adventure, whether traveling with Allan in their 60’s, burning slash piles for weenie roasts in her 80’s or kayaking at 94, she was constantly saying YES to life and living it to the fullest. She made sure her family was always taken care of, in every way. Her friends who have mostly passed before her would have said the same, because everywhere Nina went, she was loved. She taught her children and grandchildren what it looked like to be kind, sweet, loving, and good. She prayed every morning for her family and took a genuine interest in everyone’s lives by having meaningful conversations and offering her ear, words of wisdom and unconditional love.

Nina was predeceased by her loving husband Allan in 2005 and her sister Jean in 2017. She leaves her children; Dave (Debbie) Fooks and Barb (Bob) Agland, her grandchildren; Travis (Cynthia) Fooks, Becky Kamps, Christie (Brett) Pighin, Bonnie Agland, Brian (Amanda) Agland and great grandchildren Kalan, Sienna, Jaxon, Julianna, Evan, and Elijah. She also leaves her niece and nephews and their families.

Our family would like to thank the staff at Garden View for loving her through the last 7 years, and the staff at the Pines for their care & compassion in the last few months. Your love for our Mom & Gran was so appreciated.

She will be missed dearly, but we are so grateful for a lifetime of her love and will always feel her presence in our hearts.

As per her wishes, there will be a small gathering of family to celebrate her life. If you wish to raise a toast to Nina, just have “A little rum to make you hum, tee hee!”

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Services.

Condolences for the family can be offered at:

www.mcphersonfh.com