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Ada Myra Caulfield April 7 1918 – November 21 2017. Myra was born in England just after the fi rst world war, the fi rst child of Ada and James Barnish. A lovely red head with green eyes, Myra attracted attention wherever she went. When Mum was 11 her father was killed in a coal mining accident. Although Mum did well at school, it soon became apparent that she would have to forego her education and help support the little family of her mother and younger sister Iris. To begin with she laboured at menial tasks ‘downstairs’ in rich people’s houses. This is where she learned to cook and honed her skills as a pastry chef. The second world war brought employment in a munitions factory. It was the first time she was paid a living wage. After the war, Myra met and married Vic Caulfield. 4 children were born….Kay, Peter, Victor and Steven. Myra was a stay at home Mum until the last child had left home, at the same time helping manage the family pubs. First, ‘The Three Brothers’ in Chatham , Kent and then ‘The King’s Arms’ in Upnor, Kent , England . Myra and Vic divorced in the mid 1970’s and she left the U.K. for Canada. Canada gave Mum the opportunity to reinvent herself and forge a new life. Beginning in Alberta, she worked first as a clerk in a store, then as an electrician in a trailer fabrication factory. Being employed and on her own gave Mum the chance to travel and explore……things she had only dreamed of as a child. She traveled throughout the United States, to Germany, France, Austria and Italy, Mexico and Egypt. When she retired she continued to indulge her spirit of adventure, visiting her sons in New Zealand and Edmonton every year. Mum loved to sew, knit, embroider and needlepoint. She passed on her passion for good food and cookery to her children and grand children. Always an avid reader, Mum loved all books, particularly science fiction which she enjoyed right up to the end. Never a believer in organized religion or any kind of deity, Myra rather revelled in the incredible beauty of the world around her and the fundamental goodness, kindness and generosity of other people. She was rarely disappointed. Myra is survived by children Kay, Pete, Vic and Steve (Belinda). Grandchildren Glen (Holly), Jeff (Tash) and Gerry and great grandchildren Alexandra and Michael Austen. Mum, your grace, your kindness, your wisdom, your ready sense of humour, and your willingness to ‘have a go’ will be remembered by all of us left behind. You would always say “It’s just me, I’m nobody special”. You were wrong; you were somebody very, very special. We were lucky to have had you in our lives.

A celebration of life will be held in the Spring of 2018.