Obituary of Irene Davies
Irene Davies (nee Norman), age 103, passed away February 21, 2019 at Dunrovin Park Lodge, Quesnel, BC, just six days shy of her 104th birthday.
Predeceased by her parents Martha and William Norman, husband Will Davies and siblings Bill, Queenie, Violet, Martha, Lily, George, nephews Stan, Jim, Roy and nieces Ann & Vickie.
Survived by her daughter Maureen (Emil) Smith, Grandson Seth (Candice) Smith and great granddaughters Savannah and Hailey from Quesnel. Daughter Diane (Bob) Fairly, granddaughter Cassandra Fairly and great granddaughters Mary Jane and Kingston from Riesel, Texas. Grandson Daniel (Sara) Fairly, and great granddaughters Jade and Amber of Bayside, Colorado. Also survived by sister-in-law Lois Norman of Heriot Bay, BC, and many nieces and nephews in Canada, France, England and Australia.
Born to Martha and William Norman in 1915 in Glasgow (Whiteinch), Scotland during World War 1, she was the second youngest of seven. She came to Canada in 1930 at age 14, sailing on the Athenia ocean liner with another sister and landed in Quebec City. Weathering the Great Depression and working in domestic service for renowned artist LIlias Torrence Newton. In 1941 she married seaman William Thompson Davies from Newcastle, England, and together they had their two daughters. IN 1945, after the war, Irene and Will along with daughter Diane, rode the train across Canada and settled in North Vancouver where Maureen was born. Will's work in the Parks Branch took them all over the province and they eventually retired to the "cabin" at Towers Ranch (Eastgate) east of Manning Park and then to Princeton, BC.
Irene, affectionately known by all as "Gran", lived an exuberant life and had a wonderful sense of humour right to the end. Her love of travel, gardening, camping, hiking with the family, fishing with the grandchildren, buying lottery tickets, singing for a crowd and keeping her cup half-full of wine, carried her far.
When Irene learned her 23 and Me DNA revealed shared DNA with Prince Phillip and actress Susan Sarandon, she was delighted, not so much with the Neanderthal connection. She used tot ell us she was of royal blood (in a joking way) and when we visited her, she was always tell the staff we were kidnapping her for ransom.
The family would like to thank Dr. Obanye and all the care givers from Dunrovin Park Lodge who lovingyl gave their time and attention to her care. Since Irene hated a lot of fan fare, she requested no service or flowers, but suggested you give to a charity of your choice.
Thank you Gran, for the precious memories we will all hold dear.
