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Belle was a very kind, benevolent lady, helping those who were sick, acting as midwife to many newborns as well as caring for her own family. Dressmaking was one of her talents. The whole community benefited from her skills. Beside the necessity of clothing her own family, during harvest time she acted as "chief cook and bottle washer" cooking at different farms for the threshing crews.
Mrs. Parsons was a wonderful provider. She raised chickens, had a large garden, and picked wild berries. The latter two provided stock for the long winter months, as the fruit and vegetables were canned. The making of butter provided some revenue as besides selling it locally, people from Hudson's Hope were customers.
In 1943, Belle and her husband, Clint, operated a stopping place at Trutch. Here tragedy struck when Clint died in a fire that totally destroyed this building.
Belle then started a cafeteria on property belonging to her daughter and son-in-law, Alice and Ed Thomas. Belle was a great cook and the cafe meals warmed the heart of many a weary traveler. Her crowning glory was her homemade pie and the ice cream her daughter Alice made . It has been reported that the army trucks were bumper to bumper in a mile long convoy waiting for the gourmet treat.
After her life-long labour, Mrs. Belle Parsons moved into town and resided a block from the post office.
Mrs. Parsons passed away in 1955.
