Ellen Fraser

May 19, 1939 – September 7, 2017

 

On September 7, Ellen Marjorie Fraser passed away in her Osoyoos home.

Ellen was born in Oliver, the daughter of Walt and Gertrude Stevens, and grew up on their orchard at Deadman’s Lake. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, George, son Glen, daughters Lee Stotz (Mark), Robynne, and Tanya Graham (Adam) and grandsons Matthew and Duncan. Ellen was the eldest in her family, and is also survived by brothers Pat, Mike and Chuck, sisters Jackie and Jessica, five nephews and two nieces. She was predeceased by brothers Harry and Chris.

Ellen graduated from SOHS in 1957, took grade 13 the next year and then went to Victoria College for her teacher training year. She married George in 1959, and they were both hired to teach in the Kettle Valley School District. In 1962, they returned to the South Okanagan, and in 1975 moved onto their orchard and into the house Ellen designed. In the years between 1968 and 1972, she taught Art in the Osoyoos Junior Secondary School, and quickly built up the Art program which had previously been struggling.

By 1973 Ellen had become a full time mother and housewife. She was an accomplished artist, working in pastel, oil, and acrylic. When she lost interest in those fields she turned her energy to cross stitch. One wall in the house shows off 20 pieces of cross stitch art, representing hundreds of hours of work. She had the patience and a desire for perfection to produce flawless work.

She also had a strong sense of family spending uncountable hours getting old photographs reprinted and getting current photos printed with the result being about 10 feet of shelving carrying photo albums. She loved to shop for her children and grandsons and continuously add to her impressive shoe collection.

In her latest years, her health deteriorated, and she fought bravely against numerous health problems. When she could no longer do so many of the things she wanted to do, reading became her source of pleasure, and thanks to technology, she was able to read many, many books on a series of e-readers.

Ellen’s warm inviting nature allowed her to connect with everyone who knew her.

By her request, there will be an informal gathering at the house on October 7 from 2-4 pm.