LAIRD, Mary Kathleen

Mollie Laird, aged 99 years, passed away unexpectedly and peacefully in Burns Lake hospital on August 1, 2009. Mollie was born in Bromley, Kent, England on December 19, 1909 and, in 1912, moved with her family to Invermere, BC where she lived until 1996. In 1996 she moved to Burns Lake where she lived for 13 years. Predeceased by her husband, Alfred, her brothers Vivian, Ken and Geoff and her grandson, Brett Pederson, Mollie is survived by her daughter Barbara Pederson (Al) and son Sandy Laird (Marg), her three grandchildren Chris Pederson, Jim Laird and Andy (Devon) Laird and two great grandchildren, Owen and Kaylee Laird. She will also be remembered by many nieces and nephews, their families and her extended network of friends.

In Invermere, Mollie was an active community supporter involved in the Red Cross, the Women’s Institute, the Anglican and United Churches, the Girl Guides and the Windermere Valley Museum. In her retirement years she played golf on the local courses, and she traveled extensively pursuing her interest in other cultures. She also took up painting and became an accomplished landscape artist. Mollie loved gardening as was evidenced by the flower displays in her garden and in her home. During her years in Burns Lake, Mollie contributed many hours of knitting to the Burns Lake and District Health Care Auxiliary. Her zest for life and her interest in people remained vigorous to the end.

A memorial service was held at St. Paul’s United Church in Burns Lake on Friday, August 7, 2009. In lieu of flowers, donations would be gratefully received by Tweedsmuir House, PO Box 38, Burns Lake.