It is with a great deal of sadness we announce the passing of Lorraine Katherine Rose Fancher in Wenatchee, WA, USA, on January 19, 2010, in her 82nd year. Mom was born in Vernon, BC on October 2, 1928, to Major Tom and Catherine Leduc. Mom was the great-granddaughter of Augustus and Catherine Schubert, who were Overlanders and made the trek from Fort Garry, Manitoba to the gold fields in 1862. Her grandmother, Rose, was the first white child to be born in the interior of British Columbia at Fort Kamloops. She grew up on the family farm overlooking Otter Lake, near Armstrong and attended the Brick School, graduating in 1946. Upon graduation, she moved to Vernon and worked at Mac & Mac's until the early 1960's. Mom married P.J. 'Pike' Anderson in 1949, and worked the family ranch at the south end of Swan Lake. The weekly roping on Sunday evening was a highlight in many people's lives. They had three children, Duane, Gene and Neil. Mom was a champion barrel racer and participated in rodeos, both north and south of the border. She was a great promoter of barrel racing and helped to form the BC Barrel Racer's Association in the early 1960's. Riding Copper, Mom was BC Champion in 1965 and 1968. She also placed 3rd in Canada in 1968. She was also one of the founding members of the Canadian Girls' Rodeo Association. In 1970, Mom moved to the United States, where she eventually married Bill Fancher in 1972. Moving to Quincy in 1971, was the next phase in Mom's life. She took up playing golf at Crescent Bar with her friends and had many friends in the area. The Turf was one of the places Mom and her friends like to frequent in the 1970's. She worked at the Liquor Store in Quincy and also at the Livestock sale yards, retiring in 1997. There wasn't a cattle buyer or cattleman that ever met her who didn't love and respect her. No one ever left Mom's house without being fed and watered. Mom enjoyed playing crib, Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly and most all things Republican. Mom was not a U.S. citizen, but she was a great American patriot. She was very concerned about the welfare of the troops overseas, especially her 'adopted' sons, the Hale boys of Quincy. She regularly baked cookies and put them in CARE packages to be sent to the troops in Iraq. Mom loved her family dearly and was always there to lend an ear to one's problems. Mom never meddled in other people's affairs, but could be counted upon to be a good friend, when the need arose. Her passing will leave an empty spot in many people's hearts and she will be remembered with great affection.

Mom will be lovingly remembered by her sons, Duane (Elizabeth) of Victoria, BC, Gene (Patti) of Vernon, BC and Neil of Medical Lake, WA; stepsons, Bob Fancher of Moses Lake, WA and Tom Fancher of Tonasket, WA; her grandchildren, Richard, Rachel and Elliot Anderson and Eric and Olivia Anderson; and step-grandchildren, Tracy Allan, Mark Fancher and Shelley Champagne. She is also survived by her special friend, Helen Fancher of Quincy WA; and her 'adopted sons', Tony (U.S. Army, Fort Hood) and Troy Hale of Quincy; and her brother, Burt Leduc of Kamloops, BC. She was preceded in death by her parents, Tom in 1938 and Katherine in 1977; step-daughter, Sarah Fancher in 1996; her brother, Tom in 2008; daughter-in-law, Karen Fancher in 2009; her first husband, P.J. Anderson in 2006; and her second husband, Bill Fancher in 1986.

There will be a Memorial Service to be held in both Quincy, WA and the North Okanagan later in the spring. Please watch this newspaper for details about this event.