1916 - 2016
Agnes Bronwen Laing was born in Erskine Alberta, November 3, 1916. Her father, William Frederick Laing, was the CPR agent. Her mother, Margaret [Owen] was a professional singer / pianist. Thus, Bronwen embraced music, reading and travel as major interests in her life. She had a sister, Myfanwy and a brother Adair. The family moved to Vegreville in 1926 and this is where Bronwen grew up. She trained to be a legal secretary and worked with a law firm there until her marriage in 1938 to Horace John Charles Howes.
When WW2 broke out, Charlie enlisted and they were posted to PEI. After the war, Charlie and Bronwen moved to Vancouver, then Haney, [Maple Ridge] BC. They had one daughter, Christine in 1946.
Bronwen’s passion for travel took her to Italy in 1957 and she returned determined to move her family there. After studying Italian at UBC, in 1959 they moved to Florence, Italy and then London, England. After 3 years abroad, they returned to Haney where Christine grew up. Charlie died there in 1972. Bronwen and Christine moved to Vancouver where Christine attended UBC and Bronwen worked in business administration until she retired in 1985. After retirement, Bronwen devoted her life to volunteer work, first at Expo 86, then Science World and Crime Watch with the Vancouver City Police Dept. In 2009 Bronwen moved to Armstrong, BC residing at Abbeyfield and Christine remained in Vancouver. Here, Bronwen volunteered at the Armstrong Spallumcheen Museum where she found meaningful work and many friends. This and her love of reading and newspapers filled her later life.
She died in Salmon Arm BC on August 11, 2016. Predeceased by her husband Charlie in 1972 and her daughter Christine in 2009. No service, by request. Her friends at the Museum will host a memorial tea for Bronwen in the fall, at the Museum. Donations may be made in her memory to Carnegie House in Vancouver or the Armstrong, Spallumcheen Museum and Art Society [ASMAS] in Armstrong. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family at www.MyAlternatives.ca.
Cremation arrangements entrusted to ALTERNATIVES FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES® Armstrong 250-546-7237 & Vernon 250-558-0866