THACKERAY – Caroline Katherine Thackeray.
Caroline Thackeray passed away peacefully in Edmonton at the age of 87. She is survived by her loving family, daughter Colleen (Victor) Smith of Edmonton, AB; son Barry (Audrey) of Brooks, AB; son Rory (Valorie) of Lloydminster, AB; son Darrell (Jackie) of Kindersley; son Craig (Connie) of Calgary, AB; son Duane (Jacqueline) of Calgary, AB; 24 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Caroline was born on April 3, 1928 at Bromhead, Sk. to Casper and Katie Erick and married Wilson Thackeray on June 13, 1949. They farmed at Goodwater from 1949 until moving to Weyburn in 1975. They moved to Brooks, AB in 1998 to be closer to family and spent their last years together there until Wilson’s passing in 2004. Barry and Audrey were close by to care for her in these years. Caroline moved to Edmonton in 2012 to spend her last years with her only daughter, Colleen. This loving care by all her children when she needed family seemed only fitting after the care she gave to anyone who needed her.
Caroline’s life revolved around family. In her early years she was a second mother to her younger siblings. She was the oldest daughter in a family of 14. She learned the many skills needed to raise a family from her mother. Caroline was an incredible cook and always had room at her table for the many family and friends who dropped by to visit. Part of her legacy will be the recipes that she has passed down with “a pinch of this and a dash of that”, which are impossible to follow unless you taste test as you mix.
Caroline sewed out of necessity when her children were young. She learned by doing and became an excellent seamstress creating many treasured garments that were stitched with love –even a wedding dress for her daughter –in-law. In later years she turned this skill into a hobby of quilt making. She managed to sew a quilt for each of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also spent many hours crocheting various items, even doll clothes and blankets for grandchildren.
Her soft spoken, gentle demeanor and big heart made her easy to love. She was the best listener in the family. Her words were always kind and she found the good in everyone. She cherished the times we gathered together. One of her dreams came true last August when she took her whole clan on a cruise to Alaska. What a gift it was! Her constant love and care will always be in our hearts.
