Opal Refine Ballard passed away peacefully on November 18, 2006, at the age of 87 years, in the Royal Inland Hospital. Mom was born in Rainy River, Ontario, on June 26, 1919 and moved Blue River, B.C. in 1937. There she met the love of her life George Ballard and in 1940 they were married. George was in the RCAF from 1940 to 1945 and the young couple was stationed in several bases in B.C. Following the war the couple moved to Kamloops where Opal would live the rest of her life. Opal spent most of her adult years as a homemaker and raising her two sons but also spent several enjoyable years working at the Thrupp Manor Seniors Home. From her small kitchen in North Kamloops she produced the most delicious food imaginable and you had better have been sitting at the table when she said it would be ready. Opal and George's other oasis was their cabin on Shuswap Lake where they would escape at every possible opportunity. In her later years she was an active member of many seniors groups in North Kamloops. She leaves to mourn her two sons; John Ballard of Kamloops and Larry Ballard (Pat) of Grand Forks and granddaughters; Kimberly and Jessica, also from Grand Forks. Opal was predeceased by her loving husband George in 1984. Thanks to Dr. Bantock and the staff of Royal Inland Hospital and special thanks to Mom's care-giver, friend and angel-of-mercy for the last 5 years, Noella Maltais. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, November 25, 2006, at the Mount Paul United Church, 140 Laburnum St., Kamloops, Reverend Dawn Taylor officiating. No flowers please. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Personal Alternative Funeral Services. 554-2324 www.personalalternative.com