Obituary of Elizabeth Marie Watkins

In loving memory of

Elizabeth (_Liz) Marie Watkins (Backer)

Elizabeth Marie Watkins was born July 23, 1951, in Abbotsford BC. She passed away at home on May 19, 2023.

Liz’s first 10 years were in the Abbotsford area along with her father, mother and 9 siblings. The family decided to move from the Abbotsford area while their father worked for an electric company that was clearing and laying power lines into Northern BC. With 10 kids in tow, they made their way North in a converted milk van with a makeshift kitchen and bunk beds and ended up in the Cariboo in early Fall of 1962.

Liz graduated in 1969 from Quesnel Senior Secondary School and worked for her Uncle John tree planting in the Hixon area. As the oldest daughter, she helped her mother with the cooking, cleaning and caring for the younger siblings. This embedded her loving, nurturing and gentle nature that she bestowed upon everyone she met.

In November 1970, Liz married Donald Watkins in Quesnel and welcomed their first daughter in 1971. In that same year, they moved to Kamloops where she worked as a secretary at various businesses and welcomed two more children. They lived in the Kamloops area over the next 40 years. Liz retired from Interior Health after 30 years working as an Administrative Assistant at Royal Inland Hospital.

Once retired, they moved back to Quesnel to be closer to her family. Here they continued their love of camping, fishing and hunting with their children, grandchildren and siblings.

Liz loved spending time with her two younger granddaughters whether it was making crafts, baking or just rocking with them in her chair - she cherished every moment with her little mouses.

Understanding that they were not getting any younger and wanting to escape the long snowy, cold Cariboo winters, in 2021 they moved to Black Diamond, Alberta, placing them closer to one of their daughter's family.

Starting a small business, 3G Crafts (three generations), Liz, Liza and Kayla kept busy with knitting, crocheting, quilting and other skills that made their creativity shine though. They were successful at selling their goods at craft markets and on-line.

Her absence will leave a big hole in the hearts of her husband Donald, her children, Coralee (Doug), Liza (Antti), DJ (Mandy) and grandchildren Kayla (Austin), Randee, Raylee and Jordon along with her siblings Ed (Maureen), Ken (Lauretta), Judy, Doug (Sandra), Dennis (Lorraine), Caroline, Sharon and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Liz was predeceased by her parents Rudy and Edith Backer, brothers Donny and Rob Backer and brother-in-law Gordy Brown.

A celebration of Life will be held at the Elks Hall in Quesnel on September 16, 2023, from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm.

Rather than sending flowers, please feel free to make a donation in Liz’s name to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC.