Alice May King was born in Dauphin, Manitoba on September 3, 1922. She was the oldest of five children born to Catherine Mary O'Connor and Edward King.
Alice grew up in various towns across Manitoba (Dauphin, Pine Falls, Seven Sisters Falls, Makinak, Sifton and Brandon). She graduated from high school in Sifton, Manitoba in 1940 and helped to support her family during the tough depression and early war years.
Alice and her life long friend Mae Ewing headed to Toronto during WWII in 1942 to work in the ammunition factory in Ajax, Ontario. They were the original "Bomb Girls".
After the war ended, Alice stayed in Toronto and worked at Eaton's in the jewellery and silverware department. Her sister Catherine joined her about this time in Toronto. Her parents and youngest sister Yvonne eventually moved to Paris, Ontario in 1951 where her father found work in the woolen mills.
Mom married David Scott from Toronto in 1952 and eventually settled in Richmond Hill, Ontario with their two children John (born in 1953) and Gail (born in 1957).
Mom devoted her time to raising her family and also worked tirelessly as a skilled seamstress (a skill taught to her by her mother) from the home. This skill was passed down to her daughter Gail. She would work late into the night over a sewing machine long after her children went to bed. She was very involved in the community, her children's activities and became an expert bridge player.
Once her children were in high school, Mom went back to college and trained as a book keeper and re-entered the work force outside the home.
In 1979, Mom struck out on her own and moved to Toronto where she had a wonderful job at the North York Board of Education. Mom enjoyed her retirement keeping busy with friends, family, travelling and of course playing bridge many times a week. She also developed an interest in genealogy which took her all over Ontario and a trip to Ireland to trace her family roots.
As Mom's health began to fail in 2014, she moved to a retirement home in Waterloo, Ontario to be near her daughter so she could be looked after.
Mom was a strong woman, a woman ahead of her time and fiercely independent. She drove her own car up until age 91. A great advocate of higher education, it was so important to her that her children have a university education. Mom was an accomplished woman and no matter what her children might amount to, she always regarded us as her greatest accomplishment. She took great pride in her children and grandchildren (Erin, Ashley, Ryan). She was also a very proud Canadian.
I will always remember my mom's caring heart, her influence on my life with her guiding hand, continuous support and all of the ways she was giving and kind. And when I feel happiness deep in my soul, I'll treasure the love that Mom left behind.
My mom's love will live forever and the memories will shine through the sorrow.
I love you Mom and miss you every day.
Gail
