Esme Dorothy Farnham

With heartfelt sadness, we announce the passing of Esme Dorothy Farnham (nee Richards) on October 3, 2025 at age 100. Born Oct. 10, 1924 in Salmon Arm, BC to parents Norman (Dick) and Pearl (Peter) Richards. She was raised at Hillcrest Poultry Farm & Hatchery surrounded by orchards and a view of Shuswap Lake.

She attended Salmon Arm Elementary School, walking (or sledding) the miles to and fro with her sister Pamela. After graduating Gd. 13 Matriculation, she continued her education at Vancouver Normal School to become a teacher, and taught in Fruitvale and Sorrento.

She later studied at UBC, graduating with a BA in Psychology in 1950. Two years later she moved to Kamloops and worked as a stenographer at an entomology lab. She joined the Kamloops Outdoor Club where she met her husband Paul Farnham. They resided in Kamloops and raised their three daughters.

Esme and Paul shared their love of nature, hiking, cross country skiing, and exploring the Kamloops hills. Esme’s favourite pastime however was visiting her beloved cabin at Paradise Pt. on Shuswap Lk. where she spent summers enjoying swimming, reading, campfires, and visits with friends and family. She loved exploring the lake by rowboat and did annual solo expeditions the 3 miles across. Esme also loved to travel and visited Hawaii, England, Alaska, Costa Rica, New Brunswick and the States.

She was predeceased by her husband Paul and her sister Pam Johnson. She is survived by daughters Patricia (Mike) Dempsey of Sidney, Wendy Farnham of Victoria, and Catherine (Trevor) Spalding of Sorrento. She loved her grandchildren: Tanner (Nytasha), Miranda (Mike), Catriona, Alanna (Brayden), Samara, and Heather along with six great grandchildren: Clara, Avri, Benjamin, Payton, Emmett, and Sawyer.

Her final ten years were spent at Andover Terrace in Salmon Arm. There she received loving care and friendship with the staff and residents. The family wishes to thank Dr. Sawatzky-Martens for his excellent care of Esme.

In lieu of flowers, we request any donations be made to a charity of your choice. No service by request.