Mona Ball

After a short battle with health issues, Mona Pearl Ball peacefully passed away at Hospice House in Vernon in the early hours of April 24, after a long and productive life.

Mona was born on December 28, 1930 at home in Flagstone, B.C. to parents Dorothy and Larry Turney.   As a child she spent time in Fernie, Roosville, and Cranbrook.  After leaving high school after grade 10, she entered Vancouver Community College with the goal of becoming a Practical Nurse.  She returned to the Kootenays and took a job at BC Tel as a telephone operator.  She married Bruce Malcolm in 1949 and they lived in Nelson where their 5 children were born and raised.  Bruce and Mona divorced in 1973.   

After she met Darcy Ball, the love of her life, she moved to Kamloops and eventually Mona and Darcy built their dream log home in Deep Creek and were married in 1982.  They had a loving marriage that spanned 34 years until Darcy’s death in 2016.

As a young Mom, she was an accomplished seamstress, sewing many outfits for her children.  After the move to Deep Creek she developed an interest in all fibre arts and was an accomplished spinner, weaver, felter, quilter and knitter (and many other crafts).  She instilled a love of good food and proper preparation in all her children.  She was an avid gardener and willing to share the bounty, fresh, frozen or canned.  She loved music, dancing, and always had music playing in her home.

Mona was progressive for her time.  She and a business partner, J. Paul Haynes, opened a Kelly Deyong’s record shop in Nelson in the late sixties, she was a radio personality with her own program (Women’s World) on the Nelson radio station, CKLN, and obtained her pilot license at 50, after she had become a grandmother, earning the title of Flying Grandmother.

The property in Deep Creek became more than they could manage and in 2003 they moved to Armstrong.  There, Mona continued with her fibre arts creations and painting where she made and sold her many treasured wearable pieces of art as well as making gifts for relatives and friends.  She was a staunch Blue Jays, BC Lions, and Curling fan.

She was predeceased by her husband Darcy, in 2016, her mother, Dorothy Turney in 2004, father, Larry Turney in 1977, and siblings Joy Lukrafka in 2004, and Larry Turney in 2013.  She is survived by her 5 children:  Linda (Dave) Cates of Vernon, Kerry (Jim) Young of Armstrong, Gay (Jim) Hope of Edmonton, Dan (Wendy) Malcolm of Calgary and Jean (Mario) Poulin of Whitehorse.  She is also survived by stepsons:  Tom Ball, Frank Ball, Moe Ball, and Richard Ball, 8 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren.

The family thanks Sharon Wickstrom and her husband, Cliff for their amazing support and generosity.  Mona considered Sharon a sister, her best friend and a soul mate in their love of fibre arts.  Thanks to the Dr. Reta Kutsche, Palliative Care, and Community Care for their assistance in keeping Mona in her own home as long as possible.  We are so grateful as that was what she wanted.

A service will be held for Mona to celebrate her life on Saturday, May 18 at 2:00 p.m. at the Zion United Church, 2315 Pleasant Valley Dr. In Armstrong.  Refreshments will be served in the Zion church hall after the service.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Zion United Church, your local food bank, or The North Okanagan Hospice Society. 

Arrangements entrusted to

Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-558-0866

Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services: