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MOODY; OLIVE (NEE MATHERS)

Olive Moody, nee Mathers, the last surviving child of Straiton pioneers, Dave and Jessie Mathers passed away peacefully July 17 at the age of 92 after a short stay in Maple Ridge General Hospital. She was predeceased by her husband, Maurice Moody, her parents, and siblings Grace (Cliff MacKenzie), Charlie, Art (Eda), Bob, Don (Betty) and Jessie (Herm Keys). She leaves behind three sons, Donald (Donna) of Nanaimo and their family: Jason (Leslie) of Olds Alberta; Ryan (Erin) of Nanaimo, and Sigurlin (Glenn) of Nanoose; Douglas (Bonnie) of Walnut Grove and their family: Alanna, Ken and Paul; and Alan (Louise) of Maple Ridge and their family: Shawn, David (Lisa) and Sarah (Jody) all of the Fraser Valley; nine grandchildren; nine great grandchildren and a large extended family. Olive was the middle girl in the family, born at home at “The Upper Store” in Kilgard/Straiton on September 19, 1921. The store was strategically placed close to Barrowtown where Sumas Lake was being reclaimed and the busy centre where the Sumas First Nation shared their land with the clay company and it’s company village. The family moved higher up the mountain to a larger property after the lake was drained. Olive grew up on the family farm (now Mathers Way), attending school

at Straiton Elementary and Phillip Sheffield High School. All the Mathers were involved in the war effort – on the front lines, in essential industry or defending the home front. After WWII broke out, Olive worked first as an aupair for the family of an army colonel in Chemainus and later moved to New Westminster and worked on Annacis Island in a PBY coastal patrol plane repair factory. She worked as an expediter at the plant. It was here that Olive met many of her lifetime friends. Olive married Maurice Moody of Port Kells in 1947 and they lived in Maple Ridge for over fifty years. Maurice had served in the 13th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery and landed on Juno Beach on D Day. After the war he was actively involved in the Royal Canadian Legion. Olive proudly served as a Ladies Auxiliary member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Maple Ridge Branch for many years. She was also a volunteer for Maple Ridge Hospital store and as a wolf cub master (Akela) for many years. In 1958 she was instrumental in forming the 1st Maple Ridge Cub Pack at Saint John The Divine Anglican Church. She went on to receive her Gilwell training certificate and was a member of the 31st Baden-Powell Guild in Maple Ridge. In the early years her main focus was being a stay at home wife and mother, raising three boys. The family was very close. Many weekends were spent visiting “up the hill” (Sumas Mountain) where invariably, card games would be played. She loved playing crib. Her mother had a tablecloth embroidered with all the sibling’s and spouse’s names so beginning the card game could be expedited. Everyone knew their seat! She loved family fishing trips to Loon Lake and camping. Olive and Maurice also made trips to the prairies visiting family and friends and one Alaska trip with Art and Eda Mathers. She enjoyed travelling. She and Maurice visited family in Europe on two trips overseas and with son, Don, visited the Netherlands and Belgium for the 60th anniversary of D-Day ceremonies. Her sense of humour was an enduring quality - always laughing, joking and smiling right up to the end. There was a sparkle of love in her eyes whenever family visited and on special days with her sons, their wives, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Many of her later years were spent at Willow Manor in Maple Ridge where she was known as the Wii bowling champion! Her support for family and friends touched hearts and brightened lives. There will be a memorial tea at Straiton Community all, 4698 Sumas Mountain Road in Abbotsford, on Friday, September 5th from 1 – 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Maple Ridge Hospital Foundation.



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