July 18, 1917 - June 11, 2007
On June 11, 2007 a local lengendary artist and craftsperson died. Daisy Stokes was much loved and well known for her various one of a kind creations. Her wonderful quilts and hand knitted raw wool sweaters and socks have gone to all cornors of the world. The embroidered pictures and furniture are much coveted...Most of her art work was made from recycled and natural materials. Waste not want not was her motto.
Vivian Daisy Jackson was born on July 18, 1917 on a homestead near Minburn AB, the ninth child in a family of twelve. She married Arthur Stokes in 1936 and after the birth of their first child Gordon in 1937 they moved to Terrace. Here their next five children were born, Arlene, Melvin, Kenneth, Lawrence and Keith. Daisy loved the little home that they built on the corner of Apsley and Park Ave. She sewed custom made clothing for many people including her friend George Little.
In 1954 the family moved to the Kispiox Valley. It was here that the last child, Laura was born. Farm life was not easy and Daisy worked hard growing most of their food and making most of their clothing along with the other farm chores. This is where her beautiful handwork was made, from necessity and for pleasure. Many school classes took field trips to the Stokes farm where the children were shown how to card and spin wool and the making of birch syrup. Gardening groups toured her lovely flower garden and strolled in her park. The exhibitions of her work held at Ksan were very well attended.
What excitement when electricity was brought to the farm in 1995. The first refrigerator and other appliances were welcomed but Daisy still used her wood cookstove. Her home welcomed many foster children, friends and strangers but only friends ever left. She was a friend, mentor and confidant. By 81 Daisy had lost her husband and two sons. She had a back operation and splitting wood was becoming a little difficult, so she decided to leave the farm and live with one of her sons in Enderby. From here she enjoyed traveling and meeting new people. In 2005 at the age of 87 she went to live at Pleasant Valley Manor in Armstrong.
She died just a month shy of her 90th birthday. Daisy is survived by her children Arlene and Bob Baker, Melvin and Alice Stokes, Kenneth Stokes, Lawrence and Francis Stokes, and Laura and Bill Sidney, 13 granchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, many nieces, nephews and friends. She was well loved and will be missed.