Mary-Lou Wainwright

August 20, 1932 – October 9, 2018

On October 9^th, 2018 Mary-Lou passed away peacefully at Langley Lodge, in Langley BC. Her husband, Jim, her two children, Kevin and Lou-Ann, and her granddaughter, Austin, survives her. Mary-Lou always had a warm and welcoming home, which created an extended family.  Many considered her “mom” or “nana”, especially Sherry, Kirsten and Brandy.

Mary-Lou lived a full and rich life. Born in Coquitlam, BC, she grew up working in the greenhouses with her father Louie, a man she loved dearly. In 1957, she married Jim Wainwright, a construction supervisor. They were married for over 60 years, working together as partners in life and business. This included operating a gas station and restaurant in Haines Junction, Yukon in the 1950s, then moving to small farm in Surrey, BC to raise her children. Mary-Lou and Jim operated a small trucking company together for over twenty years. Upon retiring, Mary-Lou and Jim settled in Walnut Grove, Langley, living close to their daughter and granddaughter.  For the past 20 years, Mary-Lou and Jim spent their summers at the cabin at Eagle Bay and winters travelling through southern United States and Mexico with friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that people make a donation to The Alzheimer Society of B.C. or to Langley Lodge.

James Percy Wainwright

November 5, 1932 – May 18, 2019

On May 18^th Jim Wainwright passed away peacefully in his home in Langley B.C. He is survived by his two children, Kevin and Lou-Ann, his granddaughter, Austin, his brother Graham and his adopted sister, Pearl. Jim was born in Abby Saskatchewan where his family operated a small farm his father originally homesteaded after arriving from England. In 1940, after battling the drought and great depression, the family sold the farm and moved to Coquitlam, B.C. It was in grade seven in Coquitlam that Jim first met the love of his life, Mary-Lou Larsen. As soon as he graduated high school, Jim, looking for adventure, moved to the Yukon to work on the Alaska Pipeline. After marrying in 1957, Jim and Mary-Lou moved to Haines Junction, Yukon where they operated a gas station and restaurant. In the 1960’s Jim established himself as one of the top construction supervisors in the province. Many of Vancouver’s first high rises were build under Jim’s supervision. This brought him and his family to Kamloops, BC, where he worked at the Pulp Mill until 1980. It was during this time that Jim and Mary-Lou became active in boating on the Shuswap and Jim served as commodore of the Kamloops Yacht Club. Many life long friends were made during this time. 

In 1980, Jim and Mary-Lou returned to Vancouver and they operated Willie’s Boat Moving out of Surrey, BC until their retirement. In 2006 they moved to Walnut Grove to be closer to their daughter, Lou and granddaughter, Austin. In retirement Jim and Mary-Lou spent their winters traveling and summers at their cabin at Eagle Bay, Shuswap Lake; which was their favorite place in the world. Jim and Mary-Lou were married 61 years. Mary-Lou passed away in October 2018. Born three months apart, Jim and Mary-Lou passed within six months of each other, after 86 years of lives well lived.