Gretta (Margaret) left us October 23, 2002 to join her husband Ken, brothers Harold and Doug Cameron, and many other friends and loved ones who have preceded her.
She will be fondly remembered by those she touched during her years farming in Matsqui, owning Mar Mac General Store and selling real estate in the Fraser Valley. She also served on the Abbotsford Hospital Board and was an active member of the Abbotsford Wine Club.
In 1999, Gretta retired from her real estate career, moved to Kamloops and begun writing poetry and short stories, along with maintaining a full cookie tin.
Nana will be sadly missed by her children and grandchildren, Neil and Maria(Erica and John) Anderson of Monterey, CA, Nonie Anderson (Colin and Kaleigh), of Celista, Wendy Shook and Michael Perrault (Nicole, Maggie and Cameron) of Turtle Valley, Ken and Brenda Anderson (Katy, Emmy Lou and Megan) of Salmon Arm and Shelly and Dean
McKerchar (Rebecca, Rory and Molly) of Kamloops.
SHADES OF AUTUMN LEAVES
One day you found some autumn leaves,
Of colours rich and rare,
And you brought an armful home to me,
And you placed one in my hair,
"We'll buy a dress, my love," you said,
"Most beautiful to perceive,
Of bronze and yellow, red and gold,
The shades of autumn leaves."
"But I've searched in vain
for these shades," said I,
That you think your love should wear."
And then you smiled like a teasing child,
As you picked the leaf from my hair.
"No artist" you said, "has managed yet
These colours to achieve,
For nature alone, can tint and tone
The shades of the autumn leaves."
Today I watched, with a broken heart,
The autumn leaves descend;
They seemed to know that here below,
As they drifted by,
From the darkened sky,
They seemed to say, "Believe."
Then as elfin slaves,
They painted your grave
In the shades of autumn leaves.
By Gretta Anderson
(Written for her husband Ken, November 1965)