Edna Alice May Bolton was born on May 14, 1918 in the Notting Hill district of Kensington in London, England. Edna was three when she left England with her mother Katie, brother Arthur and sisters Gwen, Rosa and Ruby. The Bolton family arrived by train at the frontier whistlestop of Encombe, BC on the shores of Fraser Lake on June 4, 1921. The family homesteaded land near Drywilliam Lake on the Cheslatta Indian Trail. Edna’s mother would serve the natives tea and cake with pink icing when they passed by the family’s cabin. When the land proved too rocky to plow, the family moved to land east of Fort Fraser near Willowvale Road where they raised dairy and beef cattle on Bolton’s Hereford Ranch for many years.
Edna was a natural athlete who could run like the wind and she won many trophies and awards at the school sports track and field events. Edna enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1943 serving in England, Ireland and Scotland as a military policewoman. Corporal Edna Bolton loved the army and the chance it gave her to see the world.
On her return to Canada, Edna took an active part in the family ranch raising prize Hereford bulls. In 1955 she married Hubert Poole and between raising four boys Edna still found time for milking cows, driving tractor, stacking hay, growing the garden and making that delicious homemade bread. Edna won the Women’s Arm Wrestling Contest at the Cluculz Lake Fair -- at the age of 83!!
In her 98 years on this earth, Edna saw many changes. Through her practicality and inner strength she weathered all challenges, her kind heart and good nature making her the wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother that we love so well.
She will always be in the hearts of those she leaves behind. Her loving husband Hubert Poole, her children, Charles (Lynn), Arthur, Edward (Kirsten), and Alfred (Alene), as well as numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.