On Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002, in Kamloops, B.C., Maria Bray (Nan Nan) passed away peacefully at the age of 84, after a long battle with diabetes.
She is survived by her son Ron, and his wife Heather DeFelice of Barriere, five grandchildren, Ronnie (Jana), Mike (Laurie), Rob (Sherri), Mark (Cha) and Jennifer (Rob) as well as eight great-grandchildren.
She also leaves to cherish her memory numerous friends at Ponderosa Lodge as well as those back east.
Maria was predeceased by her mother, Exelda Gallant, her father, Carmen Sippello, and her brother, Carmie Sipello.
Maria was born July 7, 1918, in Philadelphia, Penn., and grew up in Schenectady, N.Y.
As a teenager, she played the violin and tap danced in talent competitions, often winning top awards for her performances.
In 1945 she came to Canada with her son and worked as a bookkeeper and then later as a correspondent and reporter for the Sherbrooke Record and Granby Leader Mail in Quebec.
Maria loved researching and writing history reports and was a lifetime member and enjoyed being involved in the Order of the Eastern Star, and the Owl’s Head Chapter #35.
In 1979, Maria moved to Barriere, B.C., with her family and became a member of the Barriere Historical Society. In 1986, she moved to Glenfair in Kamloops and spent her last years in Ponderosa Lodge.
Maria was a member of the United Church and also enjoyed studying the Jehovah faith as well as the Ba’hai faith.
She was a philosophical and spiritual person, always looking to help those around her.
She passed the time reading and writing and enjoyed working in her garden. She was also a bargain shopper and took this hobby seriously.
Family was most important to Maria, and she never let an opportunity slip by without bragging about her grandchildren. Her unique sense of humour and reflective outlook on life will be missed by all.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2003, at 11 a.m., at the Ponderosa Lodge Chapel in Kamloops.
Friends who so desire may make donations to the charity of their choice in memory of Maria.