It's with sadness that we note the passing of Jessie Keys (nee Mathers) on May 23rd. Jessie was the youngest of seven children born to David and Jessie Mathers in 1926, on the family farm in Straiton up here on Sumas Mountain --- before the time of running water, indoor plumbing or central heat. She attended the one-room Straiton School for the first several years of her schooling.

At that time, Straiton had a store and a post office, along with the school. Jessie's family was in the business of logging, saw milling and farming. After chores, she loved spending time trout fishing in the many creeks, hiking the mountain trails, picking wild flowers, sleigh riding, and playing games in the school yard.

Jessie's parents and grandparents all spent their final days up here on the Mountain. She loved spending time on the Mountain too, but specifically Christmas with her fifth Mountain generation grand kids.

Jessie was very active in the community, was an exceptional homemaker, and an active member and contributor to her church --- with some of her first experiences being through the visits to Straiton by the BC Shantymen --- clergymen who traveled to isolated areas to preach to lumberjack families in isolated areas. Later, Mr. and Mrs. Manders from Clayburn walked up to Straiton to teach United Church Sunday school. In 1936, Jessie was part of a small group of girls to walk down to Kilgard to be christened by two Anglican ladies who traveled to outlying areas.

As Sumas Mountain residents, we're grateful for the sacrifices which Jessie, her family, and her forebears made to pioneer the Mountain community and lay the foundations for what we now enjoy today. Our very deepest condolences go out to her loving children, grandchildren, and extended family. Jessie was predeceased by her devoted husband Herman in 2001.

As Sumas Mountain residents, we're grateful for the sacrifices which Jessie, her family, and her forebears made to pioneer the Mountain community and lay the foundations for what we now enjoy today. Our very deepest condolences go out to her loving children, grandchildren, and extended family. Jessie was predeceased by her devoted husband Herman in 2001.

A celebration of Jessie's life will be held at Trinity Memorial United church at 33737 George Ferguson Way at 1pm on Friday May 31st.