Leila passed away peacefully on July 16 in her 101st year with her family by her side. Predeceased by her husband James and her son Gregory, she is deeply missed by her daughter Janice, son-in-law Gary, daughter-in-law Dana, granddaughters Alexandra and Julia, and sister Pat.
Leila was born in 1921 in Eyebrow, Saskatchewan to Mildred and Eugene Compton, the oldest daughter and second child in a family of 11 children. She graduated with a teaching degree in 1941 and enlisted in the RCAF in 1943 where she was stationed at Pat Bay on Vancouver Island. It was there she met her husband of 64 years, James Ball. They were married in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and moved to Vancouver in 1949 where they raised their family. In their retirement years Leila and Jim enjoyed living at Nico Wynd Golf Course, near Crescent Beach, before moving to the oceanfront at Chemainus in 2004. In 2007 they moved to Legion Manor in Saanichton. After Jim’s passing in 2009, Leila lived at Legion Manor until 2018 when she moved to Veterans Memorial Lodge at Broadmead in Saanich.
Leila loved reading and could often be found with a book in her hands. She had a great sense of design, and her home and garden reflected a calm serenity. She encouraged educational opportunities for her family and was active in her community through volunteering and social activities.
Leila was always drawn to creative work and at the age of 55 she was accepted as a mature student at Emily Carr College of Art where she graduated in Painting. Leila enjoyed painting in her home studio well into her 80’s. She loved to visit New York where her fond memory was sitting in the room of Monet’s Water Lilies paintings at the Museum of Modern Art. She greatly enjoyed car travels with Jim and often spoke of their visit to the South West where she experienced the light of the desert and the paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe.
Leila was interested in people and cultures and was open to new ways of seeing. Known for her playful sense of humour she could come out with a wry kidding comment at the age of 100 without missing a beat. Above all Leila was proud of her family. Appreciated for her intelligence, her tenacity, and her great strength of spirit, we carry her in our hearts with love. The family wishes to thank Dr. Eric George of Sidney as well as all staff at Legion Manor Saanichton and Veterans Memorial Lodge at Broadmead. Special thanks to the Village Green staff at the Lodge for their most wonderful care in Leila’s final years. A private family memorial is planned.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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ALLAN COLLIER
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Deborah Koenker Dearest Janice, what a wonderful tribute to a beautiful woman with a varied and impressive life. I had no idea that she was the second of 11 children. That alone is a great achievement which I’m sure taught her a lot. Knowing more about Leila makes me love her even more. Did you write this Janice? It is moving. And of course. , we have both been lucky to have had loving, smart and creative mothers. Thank you so much for sharing this. My thoughts are with you and the family.
I recently read in the obituary that Leila passed away in July. I was glad to read that she was still capable of a “wry kidding comment,” even at the age of 100. Whenever I visited the Balls in Vancouver, I paid particular attention to her sense of humour, which she clearly had passed down to her son Greg who, for many years, was a close friend.
How sad Mary-Lynn and I were at the news that Greg too had passed away a few years ago.
Our sympathies go to the family, especially to Janice, Dana, and her two daughters.