Alice Sumner passed away October 17, 2012 at Crest View Care Village with her family holding her hands.
Alice was born and raised in Calgary where, at the tender age of 19, she met and married Lawrence (Larry) Sumner. They were blessed with four children – Pat, Dianne, Larry and Vicki. After spending 27 years in Calgary and various Army postings, Alice and Larry moved to Boswell, BC which they both thought was ‘Heaven on Earth’. Here Alice continued her love of gardening and grew the most beautiful flowers and scrumptious vegetables that she loved to share with family and friends.
Following the loss of her husband of 53 years, Alice moved to Creston where she again planted gorgeous gardens. It was in Creston that she found a way to give of her time in the running of the Creston Valley Hospital Tuck Shop. She was so proud to share in the purchasing of new equipment for the hospital. Eventually failing health caused her to leave the Tuck Shop and move into Crest View Village and for the final 14 months of her life she was fortunate to live in the Crest View Care Village.
Even more than gardening and even more than her dogs, Alice loved her family. In 1961 Alice was promoted from mother to grandmother with the additions over the years of her grandchildren: Cliff, Linda, Kathy, Jennifer, Jeff, Josh, David, Todd, Julie, Tara, Shayne and Adam. She was so good at ‘grandmothering’ that the next logical step was great-grandmother. Adding to the growing list of Alice’s fan club were Anna-Murie, Ben, Crystal, David, Brittney, Jacqualine, Samantha, Greg, Tyson, Isabella, Ireland and Jaida. But wait there’s more! 2007 marked the addition of great-great-grandchildren Aryanna and Karriska-Linn. Although only Ireland and Jaida were able to visit regularly, Alice cherished the pictures and updates of her great-grandchildrenoooand great-great-grandchildren.
Alice was a firm believer in angels and was ready to join them and those loved ones waiting for her: parents Bruce and Annie Johnson; brothers Waring and Charlie Johnson; ‘sister’ Ethel Johnson; grandson Jeff Doell and great-granddaughter Isabella Casey.
Missing her every day are her ‘eight’ children. Alice never considered the spouses of her children to be sons-in-law or daughters-in-law. They were simply her children. So besides Pat Deyo, Dianne Doell, Larry Sumner and Vicki Bourdon, she is a treasured memory to Murray Deyo, Fred Doell, Marg Sumner and Bill Bourdon. She is also lovingly remembered by her beloved sister Betty, ‘sister’ Phyllis and all her nieces and nephews. She talked of them often.
Following Alice’s wishes, there will be no Service but a dispersal of her remains at a later date.
Alice loved TAPS and the friends she made there, so friends wishing to, may make a contribution to TAPS in her memory.
The families of Alice/Mom/Grandma/Great Grandma/Great-Great-Grandma/Mom Sum/ Aunty Alice/Great Nana are forever grateful to the staff at Crest View Care Village. There are no words to describe the care, compassion and respect that she received there. These women and men go far beyond their chosen vocation. We are eternally grateful that she was in their care for the last fourteen months of her life.
Thank you too, to Guy Roy of Oliver’s Funeral Chapel for making the final details and arrangements as easy as possible.
Alice will be missed by many. If you were lucky enough to know Alice – you were lucky enough.