Obituary of Alice Loraine Comer

Alice Lorraine Comer August 2, 1936- June 24, 2016 If I had to find one perfect word to describe my Grandma, Alice, it would be nurturing. To nurture is to care for and encourage the growth and development of something, or in her case many someone's--- fifty five someone's! (55 is just the number including her immediate family, that's not including her younger siblings; Dorothy, Wayne, Joyce, Myra and Fred, and her nephews, nieces, cousins and friends) Alice met her future husband Les while in Grenada Union high school. Through letters and promises their love managed to grow while Les was serving in the Marines for three years. He promised her he would marry her when his service was over, and he did. It wasn't the date they originally planned as he was late coming home but they married in her parents Ralph and Neva Wilson's backyard in Bristle, Colorado on July 25, 1954. Just over a year later the newly wed couple were made into parents with the arrival of their first of five, Deborah Lorraine. Patricia Anne then Theresa Lynne completed the girls of the family. Next came David Leslie and finally the last of the five Larry Wayne. In 1968 Les and Alice bought land in Tomslake, BC but waited until 1971 to move so Les could celebrate 10 years at Climax Mines. After barely surviving their first winter Alice thinks that her husband had brainwashed her children into moving. Though Grandad, Les, was the provider of their house in Tomslake there is no dispute that Alice made that house a home. Whether it came through the food she put on the table, clothes on their backs, cross stitching and trinkets on the walls or love in their hearts - Alice was the nurturer and the heart of the family. Her children were not even aware you could buy bread, buns and cookies at the store! And though her girls always wished for store bought dresses, she put in the time seemingly out of nowhere to deliver whatever photo they brought to her. As if she wasn't enough of a superwoman, she even worked full time for 13 years at Mcleods! Grandmas house was a home for her whole family- near and far. 1991 is when things fell down for the Comer family. Alice and Les lost their youngest son, Larry Wayne, to cancer on January 28th, in the same room in the Dawson Creek hospital where she would later lose her battle to cancer. Later that year in November her husband suffered a debilitating stroke while working in Hains, Alaska. Though he lost his speech and some abilities in his right side, love was never lost. Without words, Grandma took on the role as translator, protector, caregiver and more than any of us could ever understand. She was Les' own angel on Earth, and though that is so beyond the truth, she would never boast that. Alice made sure Grandaddy got his way and became snowbirds once he retired. Together they traveled to Arizona every winter from 1994-2007. They traveled together to over 12 states, Mexico, and western Canada. On February 11, 2013 Alice lost her husband. The family that she so loved and guided returned the love and helped hold her up through Les' final days. That room was never empty. I have been blessed my whole life to consider my Grandma (or Granny, "What's cookin grannyyyy!") a second mother. I'm so grateful to have had so many mornings watching game shows and her soaps while feeding Grandad, my brother and I pancakes with peanut butter, eggs, bacon and welches grape juice of course. That relationship grew and shifted into her holding my children while I made us smoothies and salads, reading books side by side, talking about quilting and sewing, watching law and order, and of course looking through so many family photo albums. Because of the distance between us, I have been cherished and loved by those who she shaped into truly incredible people. I've watched and been awed by the open hearts and open homes of her children and their children and THEIR children. Love is amazing, and it flows through our genes. Debbie and Bill, Patty and Tony, Theresa and Ron, Dave and Mary and even her late son Larry's wife, Sharon are the amazing wives and husbands, parents, teachers, hard workers and friends so much in thanks to this woman's nurturing spirit. Because of these beautiful inherited qualities there are fifty-five individuals who have been shaped by love. Through mowing her lawn, including her in suppers, grads, weddings, special moments, births of children, driving to doctors appointments, keeping her hair looking great, helping her with her home, keeping her water jugs filled, checking in on her, sending Christmas cards - her family always made sure she felt loved. Superwoman, Wife, Mom, Grandma, Auntie, cousin, friend - Heaven became brighter on June 24th when Grandma left this world after losing her battle to cancer and Parkinsons. She was never alone. Her family, maybe without even realizing it has become just as loving and nurturing as she was. Her hospital room was filled with smoothies, ice cream, timmies slushies and anything that would make her happy. Along with the treats came laughter, hugs, kisses, stories, wishes of more time, snuggles, children's giggles, nurses soft hands, warm hearts and wishes of less time in the end. She will be remembered by the smell of her hugs, fresh laundry and freshly cut grass. The taste of her homemade cookies and of course her amazing sandwiches. Her presence at weddings, graduations, birthdays and baby showers. The sound of wind chimes and children's feet. All the trinkets and photos lining her home. An emptiness; only touched by the faith that she is finally with her youngest son and her husband. We love you and miss you so much Grandma. We have grown into who we are only because you loved and nurtured us so deeply, you taught us how to love. Thank you. Interment Tomslake Community Cemetery Tomslake TOMSLAKE, British Columbia, Canada