Maurine Myra "Loy" Switzer was born on St Patrick's Day, March 17th, 1930, the second of five children to parents Christopher and Winnifred on their farm outside Grenfell, Saskatchewan.
Our mother passed peacefully at Monashee Mews Care Home at the age of 92 on April 14th, 2022.
Loy was brought up during the 1930's depression. This had lasting effects on her life. She was a dedicated homemaker, always had a vegetable garden, did a great deal of preserving and kept multiple full freezers. She was an optimist who believed in hard work, dedication and perseverance.
She married her high school sweetheart Denys Parsons and moved west with her parents and family settling into their first house in Port Moody where they raised five children.
Their home was often the centre for the neighbourhood children and many times they welcomed friends or family members into their home to live for short periods of time. Mom and Dad were active in bowling, the church and supported their children's activities. They loved to dance and had a beloved circle of friends.
When her children got older, she worked as a cook at the Centennial High School cafeteria which led her to the position of manager of the Port Moody Secondary cafeteria until her retirement.
After retirement they moved to Holiday Park in Vernon to be near the majority of their children and families. Loy was a social convener and loved hosting dinners for family and friends. She became active in the Anglican Church Women's League, bowling, singing in the choir and dancing at the Schubert centre.
When the children were young, family camping holidays were always a priority. They continue camping together later in life, including a trip across Canada. They enjoyed travel to Hawaii, Barbados, Netherlands, England and New Zealand.
Loy was predeceased by her husband of 61 years Denys Parsons (2009) and is survived by her sister Lynne Petrie and brother Garth Switzer (Lou) as well as her five children Gavin (Marlene), Daryl (Heather), Ryan (Debbie) Shelly Coyle (David) and Russell (Judy), 12 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and a host of extended family members. She will be very missed.
In lieu of flowers any donations made to the Vernon Hospital Foundation will be appreciated.
No service is scheduled but memories and condolences can be left at www.dignitymemorial.com under recent obituaries.
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