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March 11, 1932 - January 27, 2022
The family of Esther Mary Cottrill is deeply saddened by the passing away of their beloved mother on Thursday, January 27, 2022, at Kelowna General Hospital, at the age of 89. Esther was born March 11, 1932, in Ontario, where she was raised one mile south of Earlton on a farm with 8 siblings.
Her father was left blind from scarlet fever and the children had to take on the responsibilities of running the farm. Esther often recalled her duties as egg collector and candler.
An avid student, Esther graduated from grade 13 at Englehart High School, then earned her teacher's certificate from North Bay Teachers' College and taught school until her marriage on May 15, 1956.
Esther married Gerald Kenneth Cottrill and the two moved west to British Columbia where they lived in such places as Kaslo, Penticton, Kelowna, Summerland, Cawston, and Keremeos with brief stints in Australia, Costa Rica, and Belize.
Esther was a self-taught pianist, an ardent reader of historical fiction, and a lifelong gardener providing her family with organic produce long before it became mainstream.
She was known for her quick, dry wit, her penchant for hard work, and an unsurpassable talent for foraging.
Esther will be greatly missed by her surviving husband, Ken Cottrill, and her children, Anna and Ross Larkin of Calgary, Deborah and George Harmon of Frisco, Texas, Tim and Caroline Cottrill of Keremeos, and KC Brock of Vancouver Island, along with 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Condolences can be left at www.hansonfuneral.ca
 Hansons Funeral & Cremation Centre


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