July 1, 1921 to Jan. 10, 2008
Pauline (Ponnie) Wilmot passed away on Jan. 10, 2008 in Bulkley Valley District Hospital. She was born in Winnipeg on July 1, 1921, and was predeceased by her husband Ken, in June 1975. Ponnie is survived by her children, Alan (Joan) in Smithers, Eleanor Bond (Bob) in Cache Creek, Stephen in Smithers, Colin (Kim) in Calgary, ten grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and her brother, David Marshall in Plano, Texas.
Ponnie spent many of her growing up years in Quebec where she and Ken Wilmot met while in their teens. Ken and Ponnie were married in Lennoxville, Quebec in 1946. They later moved to Prince Rupert, Terrace, Usk and in 1967 they settled in Smithers
It was in Denver, Colorado Ponnie received her training as a nurse, she worked in Prince Rupert, Terrace and Smithers hospitals. From 1975 to 1993 she wrote a weekly column for The Interior News – “The Ponnie Wilmot Notes.” Ponnie was always concerned for children, particularly those with disabilities, and she was also a long time foster mother. Ponnie was involved in the community with work for the mentally handicapped and with Smithers Community Services Association. As Ken had done, she continued to welcome new Canadians at their Citizenship Swearing In Ceremonies.
A long time member of St. James Anglican Church, Ponnie served on the church committee and was active in the ACW, she was a keen supporter of Camp Caledonia and regularly volunteered as a nurse for the Children’s Summer Camp.
Ponnie had an inquisitive mind and a sense of adventure, she loved to travel, she was game for everything – a trip to Quebec with teenage granddaughters; a camping trip to the Queen Charlotte Islands with young adult friends; travelling with groups of senior citizens; camping in the Yukon, with a trip up the Dempster Highway culminating in a flight in a single engine plane to Tuktoyaktuk — pretty impressive for a white knuckle flyer over 70. Ponnie also made a trip up the B.C. coast on the fishing boat her son Alan had bought, even though she was prone to seasickness!
A memorial service of thanksgiving was held at St. James Church on Jan. 15, and Ponnie planned the service herself. At her request donations may be made to the CNIB, 100-490 Quebec St., Prince George, B.C., V2L 5N5.