LOIS E. (MATCHETT) BABCOCK

Lois Elizabeth (Matchett) Babcock, 61, of 275 First St. E., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away June 21, 2004 in La Verendrye Hospital quite unexpectedly following a heart attack.
She was born Aug. 5, 1942 in Fort Frances to Andrew and Grace (Mudge) Matchett of Mine Centre, Ont., their youngest child. Her early years were spent growing up in Mine Centre as part of a large and extended family of siblings and cousins.
The family moved in 1955 to Fort Frances, where she could attend high school.
In 1959, Lois was married to Orlow Flinders and together they had three children. Eventually, they went their separate ways and from the early 1970s she lived in Thunder Bay, Ont., where she met and married Frank M. Babcock.
Their retirement years were spent on Vancouver Island until his death in 2000, at which time Lois came back home to Fort Frances.
Lois is survived by her children, Clay, Jason, and Melissa Flinders; grandchildren, Fallon and Farrah Flinders, Brandon, twins, Alysha and Jenaya Jeffery, and Danni Mae and Chase Flinders.
She also is survived by her sisters, Cora Thompson Schorsch, Marilyn (Ivan) Bell, Naida (Joe) Wolff, Carol (Jack) Booth, and their families; and her step-children, Susan, Debbie, and Frank Babcock Jr., and their families.
Lois was predeceased by her husband, Frank Babcock; and her siblings, Larry Thompson of Mine Centre, Lillian, Vernon, Lindsay, and Carl Matchett; and her beloved brother-in-law, Albert Schorsch of Chicago, Ill.
Lois was an avid reader with an inquisitive mind, always keen to learn new things. She had a great love of the outdoors, and times spent at the cabin on Footprint Lake when her family was young were some of her favourites.
She was interested in and was an instructor in first aid.
In later years, her main hobby was in pursuing and acquiring limited or first-edition collectibles, as well as various unique and interesting curios.
According to her wishes, cremation has taken place and a graveside service will be held for family members at a later date. She will be greatly missed by those who loved her.