Obituary of Minnie Louise Lowe

December 28, 1932 - September 14, 2009

It is with great sorrow that the family of Minnie Louise Lowe announce her passing on September 14, 2009 in Cranbrook, British Columbia at 76 years of age.

Minnie was born to Bob and Dora Sparks in a small settler's cabin in Blackie Alberta. At an early age her parents loaded all their belongings into an old truck, and with her and her sisters and brother sitting in the "grub box" on the back, moved to Cranbrook, B.C., in 1938.

Minnie grew up in Cranbrook, playing in the Girl's Bugle Band and working across the street at East Kootenay Greenhouses for spending money. She had countless stories of the antics she got into with her sisters and brother while growing up on King Street. After graduating from high school, Minnie worked for Falkins Agencies, and shortly afterwards met Jimmy Lowe from Kimberley. They were married in 1955, residing for a short while in Kimberley before building their own home in Marysville and moving there in 1960.

Jim nicknamed her "Sparky" and called her that the rest of her life, although she was "Min" to many of her family and friends. Minnie said that if she ever had to do anything in life over again, it would be re-marrying Jimmy. Minnie lived in Marysville the remainder of her life where she and Jimmie raised their three boys. Minnie told everyone who met her that her pride and joy and greatest pleasure in life were her three boys. She was active in the community through her work with the Seahorse Swim Club, Marysville minor hockey, the Kimberley Dynamiters, the Marysville PTA, and was one of the first to help anyone or any family who looked like they needed a hand.

Minnie was seldom the one out front; she was usually too busy being the person who made things happen. She was truly about deeds, not words, and hers was a life well and fully lived. It would have been hard to meet Minnie and not come away the better for it. Her greatest inspiration in life was her mother and father. She was devoted to them and drove to Cranbrook almost every day to visit and help care for them after they moved into the Extended Care Home. Her interest in her parents and other early Cranbrook residents led to genealogy, a hobby that she pursued with a passion for over 35 years. Every long dead distant relative that she ferreted out for herself or some other family looking for their roots brought her great excitement.

She worked at the LDS Family Center as a volunteer librarian and researcher and was well known to area residents tracing back their roots.

Minnie leaves behind her devoted and loving husband of 54 years Jim of Marysville; her sons: Rick (Leslie) of Cranbrook, Randy of Redcliff, AB, and Len of Quesnel, BC; her siblings Jesse (Larry) Hunter of Cranbrook, Ilene Miller of Calgary, and Bob (Bev) Sparks of Cranbrook.

She was predeceased by her parents Bob and Dora Sparks of Cranbrook.

Services to honour Minnie's life will take place at the McPherson Funeral Home in Cranbrook on Monday, September 21, 2009 at 1:00 pm.

A reception will be held at the Salvation Army Hall located at 533 Slater Road NW following interment in Westlawn Cemetery in Cranbrook, British Columbia. As someone who did so much to help others, Minnie admired the work the Salvation Army did to help where needed.

Accordingly, she specified that in lieu of flowers, those wishing could make a contribution to: The Salvation Army, 533 - Slater Road NW, Cranbrook, British Columbia, V1C 4Y5 in her name.

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service.Condolences for the family can be offered at:www.mcphersonfh.com