Lois Irene Arrowsmith (Golder)
March 19, 1936 - October 24, 2025
In Loving Memory
Lois Irene Arrowsmith (Golder)
Lois Irene Arrowsmith (Golder) passed away peacefully at MOUNT IDA MEWS in Salmon Arm on October 24, 2025 at the age of 89 years. Born in Westlock Alberta on March 19, 1936, Lois was the third daughter in her family. One brother arrived after her, sadly, all three of her siblings, Carol, Hazel and Elmer, predeceased Lois.
Lois met and married her husband Douglas Arrowsmith in 1956 in Lacombe Alberta. They spent several years together in Lacombe, Athabasca, and eventually moved their family from Alberta to British Columbia, settling in Enderby after a spending a brief time near Salmon Arm. Enderby was Lois’s home for many years, moving from Watershed Road to an apartment in town after Doug & Connie both passed away.
Lois is survived by one son, Larry (Ester) of Salmon Arm, BC, grandchildren Jacob (Joy) Lougheed (Charlie & Octavia) of Cranbrook, granddaughter, Tasha Shakatko (Brooklynn & Carter) of Lethbridge, Alberta, step-grandson Daniel Page Red Deer (Brynlee & Drayton), Alicia (Zach Rampen) Chilliwack, Tom (Tiffany, grandson Paxton) Salmon Arm and granddaughter Alicen Arrowsmith Ricard (Angela) of Vancouver. Lois was predeceased by Daughter Connie Jean Arrowsmith Ricard in 2010, Lois & Doug also lost a stillborn son Leslie.
Lois was a dedicated wife and mother who enjoyed both vegetable and flower gardening through the years. She enjoyed many furry pet friends over the years too, usually nurturing 1-2 cats at a time over the years as well. Puzzle books kept Lois busy and helped her keep her mind sharp too.
After the onset of Connie’s battle with MS shortly after Alicen was born, Lois stepped in to help with the raising of her granddaughter back on the family homestead on Watershed Road. As Alicen grew older and shared time between her mom and her dad’s in Salmon Arm, Lois remained an important figure in her granddaughter’s life, even more so after Connie passed away. Watching Alicen graduate and move off to Vancouver for post secondary education and then work while finding a loving life partner brought much joy to Lois in her final years.
Hearing about all of her grandkids and great grandkids always brought a smile to Lois’s face or a laugh would slip out over hearing about one of their antics. She was very proud of each and every one of her family members and loved hearing about every one of them if visits weren’t possible. Lois will be fondly remembered and missed by many.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be made in Lois’s memory to the charity of your choice. A private family ceremony will be held to inter her ashes into the family plot in the Armstrong cemetery, with a Celebration of Life to be held on her birthday in 2026, at a location TBA.
Arrangements entrusted to
Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-546-7237
Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services:
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Comments: 1
Dear Larry, Ester, Alicia (Zachary), Thomas (Tiffany) and Paxton:
Hugo and I were saddened to hear of the recent loss of Lois (mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother). I will quote the words of the poet John O’Donohue here as I find they seem to echo more eloquently our wishes for you all.
On the day when
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.
And when your eyes
freeze behind
the grey window
and the ghost of loss
gets into you,
may a flock of colours,
indigo, red, green
and azure blue,
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.
When the canvas frays
in the currach of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.
May the nourishment of the earth be yours.
May the clarity of light be yours.
May the fluency of the ocean be yours.
May the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.