GILROY, Blanche
1925 - 2016
Blanche passed away on Sunday November 20, 2016 from lung and heart disease at Fraser Hope Lodge with her daughters by her side. Blanche was born in Boddington, England. At two years old she moved with her family to northern Alberta as immigrants. Blanche joined the Canadian Army at 18 where she served as a cook and received her chef papers. After the war, Blanche and her first husband, moved to BC in the early 1950's. After many moves and adventures, they ended up in Hope in the summer of 1958. She raised three girls here and eventually started cooking in local restaurants. Many may remember her Chicken Pot Pies and Pies from Ryan's Drive Inn.
Blanche was predeceased by her mother, Alice Cooknell and father Alfred Cooknell, three brothers and one sister.
She is survived by daughters: Pearl Hislop of Hope, Irene (Bruce) Matthai of Reno Nevada and Betty (Reid) Carlson of Hope, grandsons: Lorne (Joanne) Hislop, Russ (Kathy) Hislop, Chris (April) Carlson and Jason (Alicia) Carlson, great grandchildren, Kody Hislop, Brayden & Evan Carlson, Derek and Chloe Carlson and numerous nieces and nephews. All her family was so important to her. Family dinners meant the world to her. She will be sadly missed by her family.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.