Lois Irene born July 28, 1927 and passed away peacefully with family at her side on October 1, 2015. Lois is survived by her loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Ken & Royane (Rachel,Myron - Kayla & Noah; 聽Ryan & Danielle; Linnea & Roy); Joanne (Ian & Terra , Andrea & Kyle Scheler); Bryan & Brenda (Aubrie & Steven - Ezra & Amzin Acorn; Carson & Andrea; Keegan & Jessica); Lauren & Hector (Landon, Arianna & Vanessa Ramirez-Sparrow); Rob & Evelyn (Jared & Meg); Ron & Lynne (Michaela, Asha & Bailey); brother-in-law Graham Tuer; nieces and nephews and their families. Predeceased by her parents: William (Bill) and Edith Perkins; husband, Herbert O. Sparrow; sisters: Lenore Perkins & Verna Tuer. Lois (Mom) was born in North Battleford, the first of three daughters. She attended King Street elementary school and North Battleford Collegiate Institute. She came from a close knit extended family of Aunts, Uncles and many cousins. She remained close to all of her cousins throughout their lifetimes, meeting yearly at different locations for a 鈥渃ousin鈥檚 week鈥� of playing cards and scrabble and just enjoying each others company, carrying on the tradition of their mothers. Following High School Lois enrolled in the St Paul鈥檚 Hospital school of Nursing in Vancouver, B.C. 聽After graduating she returned to work at the hospital in North Battleford. A short time later Lois met a young man by the name of Herb Sparrow. Lois and Herb were married on January 31, 1951 and welcomed their first child Ken in November the same year followed by Joanne, Bryan, Laurie ,Rob and Ron over the next nine years. In 1954 Lois and Herb put a deposit down on a new home but were convinced by a good friend 聽to build a drive up Burger joint instead which became known as 鈥淭he Ranch House鈥�. They moved into a tiny suite in the basement with two small children. Lois looked after the kids and the customers while Herb continued to sell cars down the street at Morrison鈥檚 garage. The business boomed and so did the family. The car hops did double duty as babysitters while Lois attended to the business. After the fourth child, Laurie, was born they moved into a spacious home with a yard big enough for two 聽junior sized baseball diamonds, two more children and all the neighbourhood kids. In 1958 they bought the cabin at Lakeview Beach which started her life long love and attachment to the lake. In the early years, Lois could be seen heading to Meota in a station wagon packed full of food, bedding, kids, dogs and cats, with a giant KFC bucket on top. Every year as long as she was able, mom would move out to the lake in June and reluctantly move back to town in September. Despite the chaos of six children Mom managed to be active in Kinettes, bowling and curling leagues. Her one constant has been her Bridge Clubs which she attended faithfully for over forty years and continued, thanks to Marlene Tarnowsky and Hazel Palmer who arranged to bring the game to her at Harwood Manor. Mom鈥檚 passion was watching Figure Skating and Curling. There was an unspoken understanding that visits would be short and in front of the TV between October and April every year because there was no missing a bonspiel or skating competition. She travelled with her sisters, cousins and friends to several World skating and curling championships. She loved to travel and, along with Lenore, accompanied her mother and aunt and uncle on road trips to the Maritimes, Mexico and Alaska. She made several trips to Australia and Mexico to visit Ron and Laurie and their families. Mom was active in the North Battleford City Kinsmen Band Parents Association, accompanying the band to Calgary to play at the Stampede and march in the parade. She accompanied the North Battleford swim club, Boots and Saddles 4H Club and The Musical Ride around the province for competitions and attended countless music and dance Festivals and recitals, figure skating, hockey and ski trips. Lois was a founding board member of the Sexual Assault Centre in North Battleford. With the help of Ada Brydges, she organized a yearly scrabble tournament as a fund raiser for the Cancer Society. Mom supported Dad through two provincial elections and looked after the home front when he was on the road acting as campaign manager for other political hopefuls in provincial and federal elections and then for 37 years while he sat in the Senate. Mom was a wonderful and gracious hostess and enjoyed entertaining friends and family on special occasions. She welcomed all of our friends and made them feel part of the family. Mom was never in a hurry for Grandchildren but was thrilled with the arrival of all 14 as well as the addition of step grandchildren and great grandchildren to the family. Christmas was special to her. She decorated, baked and filled stockings for everyone including the dogs which sometimes matched kids in numbers. Mom always opened her home and made room for extra friends, extended and adopted family members. She will be greatly missed. The Sparrow Family would like to thank the BUH Emergency Room staff and Dr. Khurana for their efficiency, professionalism and respect. Special thanks to the nursing staff 聽on the Palliative care unit. There are no words to adequately express our gratitude for the kindness and compassion shown to our mother and ourselves during that difficult time. You are angels on earth. We are grateful to the nursing staff, care aids and support staff at Harwood Manor for their patient and respectful care of Mom since 2012 with special thanks to Donna who always went the extra mile. Thanks to Bob MacKay and his staff at Battlefords Funeral Service for their kindness, understanding and patience. Thanks also to Rev. Frances Patterson, Rev. Fred Tinio, the members of the United Church choir and Glenn Goodman, for the music and comforting words. Thanks to the UCW women for organizing the lunch and Ann Shiplett for the beautiful carved watermelon fruit tray. Special thanks to Marlene Tarnowsky, Hazel Palmer and all the Bridge club ladies who made an impressive honour guard. 聽
