Elliott Family

V. Kathleen Elliott

Born August 7, 1912 in London, England.

The V. is for Violet which Kathleen never liked and never used, and she sure didn't like others using it.

Kathleen lost her father at a young age during WWI. Her mother remarried so she grew up in London with an older sister and stepbrother. Kathleen, being the youngest and very tiny, was often spoiled in her youth. She was very close to her grandmother, who was a singer. She worked as a legal stenographer for a lawyer in London. She seems to have worked some half-days and that gave her the opportunity to go to the cinema in the afternoons with her mother.

When WWII started she volunteered for the USO. At a USO dance is where Kathy and John got hooked up — literally. While dancing they somehow got their clothes hooked together. They married in 1946 and lived in England, working on a dairy farm, for a year. On reaching Canada in 1947, John went straight into the Forestry Service. Kathleen lived with Elliott relatives for a while. She helped with all chores required but felt if she had to work this hard she preferred to do it for herself and John. She packed up, hopped a bus to the closest town to the ranger station, then caught a ride to the ranger station to be with John. Not knowing how to bake or much about cooking she would hike to the neighboring lumber camp to take lessons from the cook there. She became sufficient at this with some very good meals coming from her kitchen. Being the "Forestry Wife" meant feeding the junior officers as well as anyone who dropped in.

In 1949 Boyd, Ruby and Archie came to live with them, so her roles now included being stepmother and teacher. Living in the back-country, the kids were schooled by correspondence.

She also kept track of the weather at many of these stations, along with the paperwork given to a Forestry wife.

While in the Forestry they began raising St. Bernards and eventually Samoyeds. John used the Saints as sled and pack dogs for work but their pride in them was "showing", for which they won many trophies and championships. They raised and sold puppies, sending them all over. They trained the Samoyeds to pull dog sleds (sometimes adding a Saint or two onto the team) and raced them. Kathleen's pride showed in these accomplishments with the display of all the trophies and a picture of "Jigs."

After several moves, the Upper Saskatchewan was their last posting in the Forestry.

In 1965 Kathy and John moved into Rocky, starting a greenhouse, florist shop and market garden. With Kathleen working side by side with John it was a successful business. They retired, after 20 years, in 1985.

Kathleen was a long-time member of the Canadian Kennel Club, Legion Ladies Auxiliary and Eastern Star, holding some of the executive positions in two of these organizations. She also became a member of the Rocky Hospital Auxiliary, Friends of the Park, Pioneer Center, Rocky Mountain House Museum, Elliott Clan, and the Memorial Presbyterian Church. Keeping a calendar of all the activities was the only way to not miss anything and fit in regular appointments and grocery shopping and at home with chores of the flower garden and their own garden.

She was a great reader. She had several subscriptions to magazines as well as getting books to read and in later years added puzzles.

In 1976 Kathleen got her learner's permit, finally getting her driver's license in 1989, when John's health was failing.

In 2000 Kathleen moved into town, still driving her red van everywhere. She worked in her little flower beds, keeping them immaculate, winning the best pocket garden award one year. She was very proud of the flowers and tomatoes she grew at the condo unit.

Kathleen adopted a few families with which she spent holiday dinners and birthdays and other special occasions. She always added to the conversations and voiced her opinions on social and world matters. They were sure to include her in any card games.

In 2004 Kathleen gave up her driver's license. This was hard for a very independent lady, now having to rely on friends and neighbors for rides to get groceries, appointments and other activities. With all of this help Kathleen was able to stay in her own home.

Although the last 8 months were very difficult, the support of these friends and neighbors helped to keep her safe. Kathleen was hospitalized in December 2008 and moved to the Red Deer Nursing Home in February 2009, where she resided until her passing.

At this time the family would like to thank all these special people for their support and kindness over the years.

Kathleen was predeceased by:

Husband John, sister Peggy, stepsons Archie and Boyd.

Survived by:

Stepdaughter Ruby Coulson

Grandchildren Gordon and Fred Coulson, John and Suzanne Elliott, Kate Pottinger, Heather Elliott, Lynn Hannah and Robert Elliott.

9 great grandchildren

7 great great grandchildren

2 nephews and 1 cousin in England

Extended family Janice Waite and Lloyd Cadrain and children Joseph and Krista

Margaret and Ray Coderre and children Richard and Heather, and granddaughter Rayne

Connie DeBoer, and children Eric, Carl and Annalise.