Lyla Baity passed away peacefully Thursday February 18, 2010 at the age of 98 at Baker Lodge with her nephew Raymond Langley at her side.
Lyla was born in Saskatchewan Feb 4, 1912, the first of seven children. Edna Langley, is the only remaining sister.
The family moved to Summerland, BC, and then to Six Mile near Quesnel. Lyla was a hard worker and at 10 years old knew how to bake bread, prepare dinner, and wash clothes on a board.
When she was 16 she married Arthur Baker and the two worked hard and played hard. During the week they worked in the Baker Dairy and on weekends they both loved to dance at the Bouchie Lake Hall, Kersley and Dragon Lake. Lyla was still dancing the polka into her eighties.
Lyla had three husbands during her long life, but spent her last years after the death of Claude Baity in 1975, living alone. Her daughter Vera Currie, born in 1929, left Quesnel and lived in Oregon, Colorado, Maryland, and now Utah. Her grandaughter Susan Murray (Mitch), lives in Seattle. Her grandson, Kent Dowding (Krista), lives in Ashland, Oregon. Two great-granddaughters, Carsen and Kai, also live in Ashland, Oregon.
Lyla moved from Surrey back to Quesnel in 1976. The last years of her life Lyla often said were the best which she spent in a garden that was her pride and joy. Summers she grew beautiful flowers and vegetables until 2005 when she moved into Wildwood Assisted Living.
Numerous nieces and nephews remember “Auntie Lyla” as their first baby sitter. Especially caring in the last years were nephew Raymond Langley and his wife Lynne, and nieces Dayle Campbell and Beryl Maxwell.
When Lyla moved into Baker Lodge, she commented she had spent much of her life near the Fraser River and now she had come full circle back to the river. Special thanks to the staff at Baker Lodge for their kindness and care.
Lyla’s has been a long life filled with hard work, dancing, family, and beautiful gardens.
A memorial tea celebrating her life is planned for Saturday afternoon June 19 from 1:30-4pm at the Golden Center, 401 Front Street, Quesnel.