Lily Waller

January 23, 1929 - January 26, 2025

It is with great sadness that her family announces the passing of Lily Trenchard Waller. Lily was born in London, England on January 23rd, 1929 and raised, along with her younger brother Malcolm, by parents Hilda and Stanley Waller. Lily passed away at Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake, B.C. on January 26th, 2025, three days after her 96th birthday.

Lily's ninety-six years were full of adventure. Born in pre-war London, Lily lived through the Blitz and the deprivations of World War ll. Her first foray into the working world was as a secretary but she soon decided to train as an occupational therapist and set her sights on emigrating to Canada. Emigrate she did and found a position with the Canadian Arthritis Society in Vancouver. She made many new friends and lived a busy and exciting life. One of her new friends was Anne Bashall, a fellow physiotherapist also from England. Although life in Vancouver was good Lily and Anne, eager for new adventures, decided to forsake city life for the Cariboo.

They were able to obtain positions at Forest Grove School and moved into "The Teacherage" which, although no longer a teacherage, is still located at the corner of Canim-Hendrix Lake Road and Eagle Creek Road. It was not long before Lily and Anne purchased their ranch at Buffalo Creek and became known as the "Buffalo Girls" to their fellow ranchers. Anne worked full-time at the ranch while Lily continued to teach at Forest Grove School for many years, all the while juggling her teaching commitments with her ranching chores and caring for the children she and Anne fostered. Lily and Anne took great pride in building up their herd of Black Angus cattle and Lily was for many years a proud member of the Cattlemen's Association. Lily's love of all creatures was given free rein at the ranch and at various times she had pet crows, a pot-bellied pig and even a skunk as well as a succession of dogs. After Anne's passing in November of 2016 Lily remained at her beloved ranch until 2018 and health deemed it necessary for her to move. She chose to go to the 108 where she enjoyed watching the waterfowl on Sepa Lake, the people and their dogs who walked along the lake trail and the deer who frequented her yard. Her heart however, remained in Buffalo Creek.

Lily is survived and missed dearly by her daughter Tamara Waller and her grandchildren Bridgette James, Candice Killian and Tyler Killian and their families. A tea/luncheon to celebrate Lily's adventurous life will be held on May 10th from 12:00-3:00 pm at the Forest Grove Community Center at 4489 Eagle Creek road.