Born August 6, 1913 in London, England. Died September 6, 2009 in Victoria, BC. After her father died, Cecy and her mother travelled to Canada arriving in Calgary in 1928. Cecy intended to train as a nurse but in 1933 took a job at the Buffalo Head Ranch to help care for the children of rancher and author R.M. Patterson. At the ranch, Cecy became an accomplished horse woman, learned to drive a team of horses, and loved mountain climbing. She did a man’s work on the ranch during WWII, herding cattle and working on the haying crew. After the War, Cecy moved to Victoria and worked at the Dominion Experimental Farm in Saanichton until she retired. In retirement, Cecy lived quietly and enjoyed gardening, lunching out and visiting friends. Cecy died quietly after a short stay in long term care. Thanks are due to her neighbors, Annette, Kay, Caroline and friends, Les and Grant for all their care over the years and to the staff at Beckley Farm and to her case manager, Jeannie Carlson. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory would be appreciated to the charity of your choice.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial gathering will be arranged at a later date.
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Jenny Andrews
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Florence Harris I was saddened to read the Colonist and find Cecy’s obituary. I knew Cecy 54 years ago when my husband took his first position after receiving his Ph D from Washington state College. She was in the office of the Experimental Farm in Saanichton. She was a dear lady . We lost touch over the years but her gracousness came back to me as I recalled our early association.
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Florence Harris I was so sorry to hear of Cecy’s passing. Fifty four years ago my husband and I lived in Sidney when Jack was at the Experimental Farm in Saanichton. It was his first position after receiving his PhD from WashingtonState College in Pullman Washington. Cecy was so kind and helpful. Jack was very young and when plunged into staff of “old” professionals. She eased his transition from student to staff.
I recently wrote an article for Canada’s history about my mother’s visit to RM Patterson’s ranch. I have had contact with R Patterson and thought I’d search Cecy on the web. I wasn’t expecting to find that she was alive but was disappointed to find that she had died only last year and that I had not looked for her earlier. I remember well staying with her in 1971. She had sent me what was then the Beaver magazine all through my childhood. A great lady!