Tribute

On Tuesday, February 6, 2018, Mrs. Mary Ferris (Elliott) (nee Bell) passed away peacefully at Sunnybank Centre in Oliver, BC at the age of 101 years.

Mary was predeceased by her parents Eugene and Katherine Bell; sisters Rosy, Annie and Joyce; brothers Frank and Johnny; and her husbands Stan Elliott and Webb Ferris. Mary was predeceased by step-son Larry, grandson Kelly and granddaughter Marlene.

Mary will be lovingly remembered by her sisters Lily, Emily and Susan; brother Louie and brother-in-law Bill and all their families, as well as by all her nieces and nephews. Mary’s memory will also be especially dear to her step-family, who became her family: Heather, Shari, Lavern, Jerry, and Sherry (Larry) and all their families. She will live on in the hearts of her many, many friends.

Mary was born in Cloverbar, AB on December 19, 1916 to Eugene and Katherine Bell. She was the second oldest of ten children. Her family moved to Okanagan Falls in April 1935 when she was 18 years old, making her a resident of Okanagan Falls for 83 years.

Her first job was at the Kaleden, keeping house for the postmaster and their children. She later worked on a farm, then Summerland packing house and cannery, and at a local cattle ranch where she was “hoping to find a handsome cowboy but there wasn’t one”. She worked as a “kitchen flunky” and later cook at a mining camp in Surf Inlet. Here she met and married her husband of 38 years, Stan Elliott.

During WWII, Mary became a riveter at the Burrard Shipyards. Never afraid of hard work, Mary and Stan worked together at the same camps, on highway construction, Mary either a cook for the crew, or part of the crew! They always returned to their home base at Okanagan Falls, on weekends or between seasons, either remodelling a home, or building a new home. In 1963, Mary built culverts at the coast, and through the South Okanagan. Her best job was camp cook for the four seasons she spent at the Greyback Mountain Dam.

After Stan’s death in 1979, Mary met and married Webb Ferris. Both retired; they were members of the Okanagan Falls Seniors Centre, spending many hours volunteering and attending social events. They did some travelling holidays around BC, Alberta, and the USA. Mary loved becoming Mom and Grandmother to Webb’s family, having step-children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren: the whole Ferris family tree!

Mary was always a willing and able volunteer. She tended and beautified the Heritage Centre’s rose garden, and helped at the Heritage Thrift Store. She loved her garden, and transplanted flowers into community beds wherever she saw a need. Mary loved old-time music, attending social music events at the Senior Centre. She played the violin, and enjoyed her accordion and guitar. Mary had a feisty attitude and loved her independence. She loved her ancient pedal bicycle, riding it into her nineties. After Webb passed away in 2003, she continued living on her own until a few months past her 100th birthday. Then relocated to Oliver’s Sunnybank Centre, where a luncheon was held by family, on her 101st birthday.

Her graveside service is on Saturday February 24 at 11:00 a.m. at the Okanagan Falls Cemetery, followed by a reception at the OK Falls Senior Centre at 12 noon.

Donations are gratefully accepted for the Okanagan Falls Seniors Centre (1128 Willow St, Okanagan Falls, BC V0H 1R0 or 250-497-8199)

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Sunnybank Centre, and John Nunes, Daryn Pottinger and staff at Nunes-Pottinger. Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com Arrangements entrusted to Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium, Oliver & Osoyoos.