Lydia Anne Fridge (nee Topham) passed away peacefully at Victoria Heights Assisted Living home, in New Westminster, on December 25, 2019 at the age of 97 years. “A special day for a special lady”. She was predeceased by her husband David.
Annie was born on October 4, 1922 in Peachland, B.C. to Beatrice and Fred Topham. Her parents emigrated from Yorkshire and Derbyshire to Winnipeg in 1904, sailing by boat. In 1911, Fred succumbed to the persuasive brochures of the Okanagan Valley area and traded, sight unseen, two houses in Winnipeg for 10 acres of orchard in Peachland. Annie was the youngest of 8 children. George, the eldest, was 17 years older. She had 5 brothers and 2 sisters. Annie attended school in Peachland from age 6 to Grade 10. She wanted to become a nurse but was dissuaded by her parents. The prevailing belief at the time was that she would just get married and the education would be wasted.
At age 15 she began working, packing fruit at the Greata Ranch (now Fitzpatrick Winery). When the war started she worked in the orchards, thinning the fruit, traditionally a job for men. This was seen as an essential service in the Okanagan and she received a man’s wage of 35 cents per hour. During the war Annie moved to Vancouver and made parts at the Boyle Brother’s Munitions Factory. She wanted to join the armed services but her brothers who were being sent overseas advised that she stay home and care for their parents.
After the war she worked at Collen’s Dept. Store and Carter’s Bakery in Oliver and Fulk’s General Store in Peachland. Back in Vancouver she worked at the General Paint warehouse and Simpson Sears mail order department. Annie stayed with Betty and Alex Fridge in Vancouver, where she met Dave, Alex’s brother. Dave was Annie’s father’s godson as both families had know each other when Annie and Dave were infants in Peachland. They were married at St. Mary’s South Hill Anglican Church, Vancouver on June 18,1949. They lived on 56th Ave., in Vancouver, until 1961, then moved “to the country” to Port Coquitlam.
Dave worked as a boilermaker and steel fabricator all his life. Anne returned to work part time at the restaurant in Woodward's New Westminster. She then worked as cook and manager of the cafeteria at Port Coquitlam High School for ten years. Her cooking and pie-making abilities were legendary. Anne and Dave enjoyed almost 49 years together, raising Lois and Evelyn, then retiring to Peachland and Oliver, their beloved Okanagan.
Annie was a generous, gracious soul who welcomed everyone to her home. She was an empathetic, fun loving and supportive friend to all. Annie will be lovingly remembered by her daughters Lois Warren (Phil Burns) of Mission, Evelyn Douglas of Surrey, grandsons Tyrel Douglas (Shaunna), Christopher and Kevin Warren (Caroline D’Été) and granddaughter Sarah Douglas. She will also be fondly missed by great grandchildren Aidan, Edwin, Matteo, Oliver and many nieces and nephews. The memorial service will be held at Kearney Columbia-Bowell Chapel, 219 - 6th St., New Westminster on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, a memorial tribute may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.