After a long and happy life, one notable for a loving commitment to family and community, Annie passed away, smiling peacefully, on February 7, 2019 in her 100th year. Predeceased by her parents, her brother Bob (in 1942), and her husband of over 50 years, Alex (in 1990), Annie leaves her 4 children—Dorothy Pekter, Betty Stone (Bruce), David (Sally), and Jamie (Betty)—as well as 9 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, and especially, her sister, Alice, another nonagenarian.
Born in Grande Prairie, Alberta on August 15, 1919 to Annie (Card) and Robert Ephraim Kater, Annie lived in Victoria for over 96 years, with 72 of those years spent in the house on Portage Inlet that she and Alex built together. As a tireless volunteering mum and grandma, Annie served the wider community for decades in her many roles with the Anglican Church Women at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Craigflower School’s PTA, the Craigflower Women’s Institute (a member for over 65 years), and the Gorge Road Hospital. Her sewing, darning, knitting, quilting, and crocheting talents decorate her loved ones’ homes and many a newborn baby at VGH received a hat made by Annie right up until 2016. Having camped, boated, and travelled extensively in Canada, the US, and the UK, Annie’s favourite trips were to PEI to NZ with her dear friend, Brenda, and to Metcalfe, Ont., to spend time with David, Sally, and their four children. Her family will always treasure their memories of afternoon tea with Annie, as she patted the special cat on her lap, and all eyes surveyed Annie and Alex’s beloved garden and the water beyond.
Dorothy, Nancy, Marilla, and the rest of the family, thank all the staff at both Luther Court and Beacon Hill Villa for the loving care shown Annie, with heartfelt gratitude to Marianne, Letecia, Gurjit, Lisette, Cheryl (BHV), and Ann (LC).
A Celebration of Annie’s Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 27, 2019 in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of BC https://alzheimer.ca, the BC SPCA https://www.spca.bc.ca/branches/victoria/, or the Queen Alexandra Centre (Children’s Health Foundation) https://islandkidsfirst.com/donate-now/ may be made in Annie’s name.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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John McDonald
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Carol Connolly To the Gray family,
I have many fond memories of your Mom growing up in the neighbourhood. I always felt so comfortable and welcomed in the Gray household.
May you all find comfort in knowing Annie will always be with you and the memories you shared will forever be a part of your life.Carol Connolly (nee Bigmore)
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David Neilson My childhood friend, David Gray and I have shared many a laugh remembering the boyhood dash through the kitchen of “Mrs Gray”, snatching what I thought was a multi coloured cookie from a cookie sheet on the counter. What I didn’t know, was that in her thrifty “keep costs low style”, she remolded hand soap shards for later hand washing use. It was one of those “cookies” I bit into! What a surprise, one that generated gales of laughter from all concerned.
Annie Gray was a gentle caring woman, with an infectious calm demeanor; truly one of the Gorge areas notable residents.
My sincere condolences to David, Jamie, Betty and Dorothy and families
Dave and Lu Neilson
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Bob and Fran Fisher Our deepest condolences to Dorothy,Nancy & Marilla, Betty, David, Jamie and families.I will always remember Aunty Annie and her thoughtful gifts to our kids when they were little.
Sincerely, Bob and Fran Fisher
A wonderful woman and a treasure to have a tea and conversation with along with some home baking.
We all have happy memories and she will be missed.