GRAHAM, Ada Bertha
Ada Bertha Graham of Sylvan Lake, Alberta passed away on June 26, 2017 at the age of 80. Ada was born in Nipawin, Saskatchewan on April 17, 1937 to Irene (Foote) Reid and William Reid.
Ada is survived by her daughter Debra (George) Brownmiller of Quesnel, BC; and son Darrell (Coreen) Graham of Whitecourt, Alberta; as well as daughter-in-law Wendy Graham of Sylvan Lake, Alberta; grandchildren Jennifer (Jason) Hendricks of Sylvan Lake, Carla (Derek) Peterson of Quesnel, Shelly (Chris) Graham Kirkman of Sylvan Lake, Michelle (Jeremy) Brownmiller of Quesnel, Wayne (Rena) Brownmiller of Quesnel, Troy (Mackenzie) Graham of Houston, Texas; Jordan (Dustin) Gillard of Edmonton, Alberta; and her thirteen great grandchildren; Rachelle, Sarah, Kyler (Nicole), Brennan, Landon, Mikayla, Austin, Kaiden, Halle, Emily, Jackson, Ryker and Juno. She is also survived by her sister Marge Jepson, cherished nephew Rod Reid; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; as well as many special people she has taken into her heart as family; Nikki and Tyler, Avalee, Devin, Taylor and Nick, Alex, Craig and Devin, Brooklyn and Nicholas, James and Mason, and of course her sponsor child Jellie in the Philippines.
Ada is predeceased by her son Darcy, grandson Lance, great-granddaughter Kyla, her mother Irene, her brothers Graham, Ken and Jim and her sister Lee. She was also predeceased by her adored dog Shilo who would have ecstatically greeted her at the Rainbow Bridge and crossed into heaven by Ada's side.
Ada moved to Sylvan Lake in 2002, leaving behind her beloved little house in Saskatchewan. Ada's lifelong passion for cooking may have been sparked by her mother, Irene, and her insistence that Ada learn to prepare food and care for her family. She laid the foundation for Ada to use these skills throughout her life. Ada was a hardworking camp cook who enjoyed her job. She enjoyed spoiling and interacting with the crew and she especially cherished working in beautiful remote locations throughout British Columbia. She worked in logging camps and CN camps and she took great pride in her driving skills. She was a strong independent woman who drove herself back and forth to camp on forestry service roads that would make most drivers crumble. Shiloh, her faithful Siberian husky, always rode shotgun and this trusty team conquered the world. Ada had come full circle in the service industry and could always be found taking care of people and preparing food. Her resume included: waitressing, cooking and managing various cafes; bartending; managing a camp kitchen and being head cook; and even owning, opening, and operating her very own RIO Cafe in Landis, Saskatchewan. Her time spent volunteering in the community kitchen with the Sylvan Lake Seniors was thoroughly enjoyed and she was always eager to help (or take over.) She was a hard working lady who, in her prime or not, would move you out of the way so she could get the job done. At home, cooking for her family & friends became a hobby. The more the merrier to Ada. She was happy to host her children for dinner but ecstatic to host the whole group. This inevitably meant cooking for days which made her even happier. She was known for hosting family reunions and cooking a full Chinese smorgasbord by herself. The "camp cook" inside her never went away and it was normal for four people to arrive for dinner and see four pies cooling on the counter. As Ada aged, she began to bake more. She often baked for those she liked or appreciated. She baked a mean pie crust using her secret recipe. She once auctioned off one of her pies for charity raising nearly $500 but still insisted that her best glass pie plate be returned. She recently became an author and published her first cookbook in 2016 titled "Goodies & Oldies from a Retired Camp Cook, Ada Graham's Recipes".
Ada will be remembered for her generous and kind nature. There was always room at her table for a new friend and enough food at her table for 20 new friends. Ada took great pride in her family and friends; far, wide and extended. Her lighthearted sense of humor was to be admired and her place at our table will be missed.
The family would like to express a heartfelt thanks to Dr. Bahler and the Sylvan Lake Homecare Nurses for their direction, guidance, concern and kindness. Your support during this difficult time will be forever appreciated.
A Memorial Tea took place July 4, 2017.
A family interment will take place at the Kuusamo Cemetery in September.