Oct. 3, 1915 - May 5, 2006
Bess was born in Calgary, Alta., the second daughter of George and Elizabeth Patterson. When she completed her schooling, she became a bookbinder. After the Second World War, she married John Patterson and in 1948 the couple, along with their young son, moved to Fernie, B.C. where they opened a second-hand store. In time, the second-hand store became a grocery store with an extensive candy counter. Bess will be remembered as “The Candy Lady” by many of the people in Fernie. For many years, Bess was active as a Pythian Sister and a member of the Royal Purple. John and Bess retired from the business in 1967 and Bess continued to live in Fernie until her move to 100 Mile House in 2002. She was predeceased by her husband John and her sister Annie Hendricks and will be genuinely missed by her son Geordie Patterson (Naida), grandchildren Chris and Breanne, niece Vernanne Ahern, nephew Bob Hendricks, niece Evelyn McDougall, niece Olive McPhee, Viv, John, Mafalda and her many friends and relatives. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.