Apr 15, 1936 - Mar 16, 2018
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Ethel Ryder at Pleasant Valley Manor in Armstrong, BC, after a courageous struggle with dementia.
She leaves behind one daughter, Sandra (Kelly) Smith of Armstrong, BC; four sons: Rick (Brenda) Spence of Grand Prairie, AB; Ken (Sue) Spence of Peachland, BC; Brian Spence of Vernon, BC; Kevin (Nicole) Winters of Edmonton, AB; many grandchildren: Morgan (Shawn) & Grayden Smith, Chase & Lauren (Brian) Spence, Hailey Spence, Harley (Samantha) Swynar-Winters, Keelan & Ryan Winters, and two great grand-daughters.
Ethel was born in Lethbridge, AB, one of nine children. She loved the animals on the family farm, especially a horse named 2-bits. She also enjoyed playing on the school softball team.
May 13, 1965 she earned a Beauty Culture Operator Certificate in Calgary, opening up a salon with two of her sisters and one brother. She continued hairdressing out of her home after moving to BC in 1969.
Horseback riding became a big part of her life again once living on a farm up Silver Star. She belonged to the Hillbilly Riding Club and participated in gymkhana events and parades, winning some beautiful trophies and ribbons on her beloved horse Que. Other hobbies included crocheting, crosswords, card games, golf, dancing and bowling.
She was the captain of the Knight Ryders bowling team and they competed in and out of the Okanagan Valley.
She had to leave her team in February 2017 when she was no longer able to bowl. She was also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Army Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada.
As per Ethel's wishes, there will be no service at this time. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
To honor her love of animals, a donation in her name can be made to any animal care society. The family would like to thank all the staff at Pleasant Valley Manor for their compassionate care and support.
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.
Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services
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