Ann Lois (Hook) Staples
April 20, 1912 ~ October 2, 2011
Ann Staples passed away October 2, 2011 at Swan Valley Lodge, Creston, BC at the age of 99 years.
Ann was born April 20, 1912 in Sandpoint, Idaho and lived there with her parents, Albert C. Hook and Anna Hook, a short time until they moved the family to Spokane, WA. She received all her education in Spokane, graduating from St. Augustine's Elementary School, Lewis and Clark High School, Kinmans's Business College, with a degree in Business Administration and was a graduate of Schultz's Beauty School. She also was a trained concert singer and performed many times in Spokane, and was a member of the choir at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral. Ann lived and worked in Spokane until after the death of her grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Grady, when her mother and her siblings moved to Wynndel to take over the fruit orchard and property.
Ann purchased a beauty salon in Creston and in December, 1941 she went to Vancouver to take her exams for her BC certificate in beauty work. When she returned to Creston, she met and married her husband, Edwin "Ted" Palmer Staples on October 28, 1942. After his army service, they settled in Creston, where they made their home for the next 47 years. They had three children; Mary Ann, Lythe and Mark. Ted passed away in August, 1989 after a lengthy illness and Ann lived another 22 healthy, happy years with her two daughters.
Ann remained close to her Catholic faith and enjoyed attending Mass until the last three years of her life, when her daughters brought her Communion, not only in her home, but also in Creston Valley Hospital and Swan Valley Lodge. She was a long-time member of the Catholic Women's League and also had volunteered for various charities and organizations in Creston and established the first choir in Holy Cross Church, during her life here. She also enjoyed travelling, reading, knitting, crocheting, quilting, needlework, gardening. and love of nature, which she joyfully passed on to her daughters. Ann took a great interest in the progress and successes of her children and grandsons.
Ann will be sadly missed by daughters Mary Ann and Lythe; son Mark (Melody); grandsons Lance and Brent of Victoria; numerous cousins in the United States and her many friends.
Ann's Funeral Mass was celebrated October 26, 2011 in Holy Cross Church, Creston.
Interment took place November 1, 2011
in the family plot, Holy Cross Cemetery, Spokane, WA.
We would like to thank Dr. John Griffeon for his care of our mother, the staff of Creston Valley Hospital and Swan Valley Lodge while she was a patient/resident there, and kudos to Candace Barnes, who went above and beyond in all the extras she did for our mother. Also, a big thank you to the staff of G.F. Oliver Funeral Chapel, for their kindness to us during the difficult time of the loss of our mother.
PS: I would like to extend an apology to all for the lateness of this obituary notice. Grief has a way of holding one back from doing their duty.
God Bless you all.
Mary Ann Staples.