OBITUARY

Lucy Antoine died October 15, 2011 in Republic, Washington. She was born near Vernon, BC at the home ranch at the "Head of the Lake"(Okanagan), on January 26, 1924 to Jimmy and Mary Louise (Parker) Antoine. Her early years weren't easy, but she often told stories about the happy times there with her family. After her mother's death, her older sister Ella took care of the children. Lucy attended residential school in Kamloops until she returned home to care for her nephew, Victor. Years later she also cared for her nephew Ricky, who lived with her from infancy until about age 16.

Lucy worked hard all her life, beginning at the home ranch and then Penticton. She lived for a time with her beloved Aunt Jenny and Uncle Saul in Chesaw. She moved permanently to the States in 1945 to work in the orchards in Tonasket and Oroville. By the 1950s Lucy had moved to the Curlew area where she enjoyed being outdoors and was an expert horseman who raised cattle, horses and hay, and broke colts. When not working she was found doing other things that she loved outdoors; she especially enjoyed hunting and fishing, and loved growing flowers.

She drove school bus for Curlew School for several years before relocating to the Malo area. After retiring for the ranch, she moved to the coast to live with her daughter, but then returned to the Colville area when her health began to deteriorate. She lived on Boulder Creek for the last years.

Lucy loved music, ranching, wildlife, her horses, and dogs. She loved to have family around, and enjoyed serving big dinners. Lucy loved to tell stories and play practical jokes. She had a wonderful sense of humor that helped her bounce back from adversity time and again. She had a long-running "feud" with her son-in-law Harry Anderson. They would play practical jokes on each other and try to one-up each other. She won when she fed him "home-made jelly beans" made out of powered sugar coated deer droppings. ("He wasn't supposed to EAT them!").

Another passion was hunting. A favorite was fall hunting camp with John and Connie Barlow and their families (Olympia); her daughters, and grandchildren. She went elk hunting in Idaho several times and bagged the camp's first elk. There was always lots of fun and food in the evenings.

She had a way with animals, be it cattle, horse, or dog. They truly seemed to understand her words and responded to her in ways that would amaze onlookers. Animals that were deaf to others would obey her quietly spoken words and do what she asked of them.

Lucy could also make friends with anyone; on trips, she would visit with people and gain a life-long friend. To Lucy, it didn't matter about rank or status; people were people and that's how she treated each person.

SURVIVING RELATIVES

She was preceded in death by her parents; by brothers Harry, Gabriel, and Alex; sisters Ella, Evelyn and Madeline; her son Caesar; and her grandson Christopher.

She is survived by daughters Sandra (Harry Anderson, Colville), Bonnie (Steve Goss, Curlew), and Donna (Jim Maher, Kent); her daughter-in-law Colleen (Caesar Antoine, Chewelah); special nephew Ricky Gabriel, Omak; numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren; and dear friends. With Lucy's passing, so much history also passes. We will miss our beloved mother and grandmother.

SERVICES

Memorials services will be held Wednesday, October 26, 2011, at 11:00 AM at the Malo Grange Hall with Dan Fagerlie officiating. A potluck luncheon will follow.