My Cousins, part 1

What a bunch. Some of them I haven't seen in over 30 years; not since I was in Kelowna for Grandma and Grampa Brown's 50th anniversary! I had the pleasure of meeting many of their kids for the first time. When you add the whole bunch of my relatives on my dad's side, the "Brown" side, you end up with a small army of people.

Most of them live out in western Canada, with the exception of Sandy Houston who's in Halifax. Let's see if I can get them all: Mary-Ann and Jim Berridge- Calgary; Bob and Jackie Houston- Grande Prairie; Sandy Houston- Halifax; Neil Houston- Casa Grande, Arizona; Karen Brown- Kelowna; Keith Brown-Vancouver; Bill Brown- ; Bob Brown- Grande Prairie, AB; Kim (Brown)- Mackenzie, BC; Kirk Brown-

I'll complete this listing later.

On Friday, the day of the funeral, we sat around at Marvin's and just tried to relax. We got telling stories about dumb things we'd done. Sandy was talking about driving the old Blue Nova and going into the ditch on a ski trip, and also a story about Aunti Lorraine coming out to give the car a boost one time and forgetting to put on the parking brake, with the Nova rolling backward down the hill and winding up on some guy's front lawn. Bob matched the story with his tale of falling onto a ladder that slipped on the ice, and then another one about a nail gun putting a nail through his finger. Gerry told my blue paint mixing story with great relish. This was a good visit; a healing time; a connecting time. It's nice to not have to prove anything to anyone. Marvin's daughter Dorothy was there, and his daughter Kate also. She had her little boy Ari tootling around at her feet. She put him in a little cardboard box lined with a blanket where he could sit up and play with his toys. What a cutie.

Then we all went out to dinner at The Keg and had a good meal and more time to visit. Arlene got to have a good chat with Kim, and I was glad to get to talk with Neil. He's interested in doing some video editing so we shared that common interest. Keith talked about the type of importing work he does; sounds like all my cousins are not the type to sit around a wait for life to happen!

Next, Karen invited us all to her new apartment for a little while where we just sat around and visited some more. I think that was a special time for her to be able to have us all in.

A Spring Day in Kelowna

Lorraine, Lawes (2005-03-07)LAWES -

Lorraine passed away suddenly at home on Monday, March 7, 2005 at the age of 78. She is survived by her loving husband Marvin; daughter Mary-Ann Berridge (Jim) of Calgary; three sons: Sandy Houston of Halifax, Bob Houston (Jackie) of Grande Prairie, AB, Neal Houston of Arizona; and Marvin’s children: Dorothy Lore (John) of Duncan, BC, Mark Lawes of Calgary, Kate Lawes (Curtis King) of Calgary; ten grandchildren; and one brother Ron Brown (Jean) of Oakville, ON. Predeceased by her first husband Malcolm Houston and brother Bob Brown. Lorraine had a passion for volunteering and helping others. Lorraine will be sorely missed by all who knew her. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, March 11th at 11:00 am at the Chapel of Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Red Cross, 2280B Leckie Road, Kelowna, BC V1X 6G6 or charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com . In living memory of Lorraine Lawes, a metre of the Mission Creek Greenway will be dedicated by SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME LTD. 250-860-7077.