Ida A. Coles was born in 1886 and passed away in 1990 at the age of 104. She is resting in peace next to her husband George who predeceased her in 1958.
Turbulent years ensued during her lifetime: Boer War, WW I, WWII and the Korean War all taking its toll on the community.
On a happier note these events also took place: The first symphony orchestra in Canada was formed, Anne of Green Gables is published by author Lucy Maud Montgomery, Women won the right to vote, and the birth of the Dionne quintuplets causing a media sensation.
Other events that took place:
1886 - Ida A. Coles was born in this year.
1889 - The Canadian Pacific Railway is completed from coast to coast
1890 - Canada and Bermuda are linked by telegraph cable
1896 - Gold is discovered in the Klondike
1899 - First Canadian troops sent to participate in the Boer War in South Africa
1900 - Reginald Fessenden transmits the world's first wireless spoken message via radio
1902 - The first symphony orchestra in Canada
1907 - Canada Dry Ginger Ale is first bottled
1908 - Anne of Green Gables is published by author Lucy Maud Montgomery
1914 - The First World War begins Britain declares war on Germany on behalf of the British Empire, including Canada
1917 - Women won right to vote
1917 - 1921 Alcohol prohibition
1927 - To celebrate Canada's Diamond jubilee the first coast-to-coast radio broadcast is made
1929 - Women are considered "Persons" under Canadian law
1934 - The birth of the Dionne quintuplets attracts international media attention
1939 - In WW II Canada declared war on Germany
1941 - Japanese interred in B.C. interior after bombing of Pearl Harbor
1958 - Wooden Roller Coaster at Playland - Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver - opened
1958 - George Coles, husband of Ida A. Coles passed away in this year at the age of 84
1965 - Maple Leaf becomes official flag of Canada
1969 - Abortion and contraception legalized in Canada
1969 - Canada approves equality of French-English language
1980 - O' Canada officially becomes the national anthem of Canada
1980 - Terry Fox began cross-country Marathon of Hope
1990 - Ida A. Coles passed away at the age of 104
The Mount Ida Cemetery has approximately 1,500 interments and is approaching capacity. The City of Salmon Arm is in the process of acquiring a third parcel of land.
All the headstones are flush to the ground for easier maintenance. However, there is a older section with some interesting upright headstones. This area is designated a Historic Place and listed on their website: (
visit link)
The lawn areas were lush and green with large trees surrounding most of the sections.
There is also a veteran's section with a memorial cairn.