Ethel TRYON

Ethel Tryon, born June 4th, 1920, passed away peacefully at Stanford Seniors Village in Parksville, BC on Sunday, November 11th, 2018.

Ethel lived a full and exciting 98 years surrounded by family and friends. She was born in Blackpool, Lancashire, England. As a child she was a ballet dancer, with a highlight being performing in the ballroom at Blackpool Tower. At 12 years old she auditioned and was chosen for the “Children’s Ballet,” a group of 100 local, talented children who performed in August during the tourist season. As a young adult, Ethel toured with the ballet company for six weeks. While on tour, after the evening performance, they would go to where the troops were billeted and perform for them.

In 1940, Ethel was called up and moved to the Lake District, where she became a volunteer in the Women’s Land Army at Dallam Tower in Milnthorpe, near Kendal. While at Dallam, she made many friends while working the vegetable gardens, a time which sparked her passion for gardening well into her later years. She returned to Blackpool, and worked at Stanley Park, where she became a Forewoman of the Women’s Land Army Girls. Ethel was extremely proud of the work she did to support the war effort as a member of the Women’s Land Army. She has many wonderful memories of her time at Dallam Tower, and the friends she made there. You could often find Ethel reminiscing about those days and sharing memorabilia with those around her.

It was in Milnthorpe that Ethel met her future Canadian husband, Jack Tryon, while he was at his uncle’s estate, Dallam Tower. They were married in 1944 in Blackpool. Jack returned to Canada on the troop ships, while Ethel sailed with many other war brides, 10 months later. Ethel and Jack established their home on the family farm in French Creek (now Columbia Beach) in 1945, and Ethel has been a member of the local community ever since. They were blessed with three children, but sadly their time together was cut short when Jack died suddenly in 1958. Ethel has since enjoyed spending time with her children, her 4 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.

The Church held a special place in Ethel’s life, a member of the St. Anne’s Church since her arrival in Canada, she was a member of the Church Guild for many years. For years, she knit for the Church Christmas bazaar. An avid community volunteer, Ethel also spent time with the Women’s Institute until 1986, at the SOS, and as a member of the Trillium Auxiliary.

Ethel will be fondly remembered for the care she showed in her community, for the wonderful friendships that she held dear, and for the love of her family. She was a passionate gardener, bridge player, and lover of Fish and Chips. She will be dearly missed.

The family would like to thank the staff at Stanford Seniors Village for the wonderful care she received.

There will be a service in celebration of Ethel’s life on Saturday, November 24th at 1:30 pm at St Anne & St Edmund’s, 407 Wembley Rd, Parksville. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Jeneece Place in Victoria, St Anne & St Edmund’s Church, or a charity of your choice.

Lives Cherished and Celebrated