MATHERS, ELLEN
On the wings of her family’s love, Ellen Mathers was carried gently into glory just as the sun set on Sunday, August 24, 2013.
Born Ellen Campbell on April
21, 1928 in Lachine, Quebec,
she married Jim White in 1948. Jim would often reminisce about his fruit-picking summer in the Okanagan Valley. Finally, with a packed-to-the-rafters van and
six children in tow, the White family headed west to Kelowna in 1964, settling way out in the boonies, at DeHart and
Paret Road (now Gordon Dr.)
Jim and Ellen carried in their hearts the tragic loss of three beloved children: infant son Gordon, son Ken and daughter June. Jim predeceased Ellen in 1980.
Holding Ellen forever in their hearts are her devoted
husband, Budd Mathers; and four grown children – Lorne (Theresa) White, Linda (Wayne) Danforth, Jim (Betty-Anne) White and Chris (Lisa) White. Ellen was also a loving mom to grandson Chris Mazur.
Grandma White-Mathers baked countless birthday
cakes - and left indelible fingerprints of love - on the hearts of 14 grandchildren (Chris, Lara, Erin, Stephen, Anna,
Bethany, Jeffrey, Heather, Michael, Darren, Robbie,
Shay, Bobbi and Li) and 21 great-grandchildren.
Ellen lived her life simply, with determination to always
be on time and to finish what she started, including the
Kelowna Across the Lake Swim just months after enduring cancer surgery and treatment. She was rich in all the ways that count, gaining true and lasting treasure in family and friends. She lived for those she loved - and those she loved remember.
Her family thanks the caregivers at Sutherland Hills Rest Home for their many kindnesses. Friends are warmly invited to an informal celebration of Ellen’s life, well-lived to the
finish line, 10 am Saturday (August 31) at the reception room of Springfield Funeral Home.
Friends, in lieu of flowers, you may wish to send a gift in Ellen’s memory to the Kelowna Branch of JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) or a charity of your choice. That would make her smile!
Condolences may be sent to the family by
visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com, 250-860-7077.