The front yard on 10A Avenue in Tsawwassen was a busy place Wednesday (Oct. 11) as efforts continued to complete a big Halloween display.
Friends and family were helping out trying to put the finishing touches to the project, but it was missing one person who was the driving force behind it.
Kelly MacPherson, 58, who loved handicrafts, died on Tuesday (Oct. 10) after a five-year battle with cancer.
She, along with her sister Jodi, for the past four years have been decorating their home for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter and Mother’s Day.
This year, for the first time, they started a Halloween display.
“She wanted it done before she passed,” said sister Jodi MacPherson.
We had everything done except the horse, she added. Jodi added she’s not a craftsperson, but helped with the displays to help make her sister happy.
One weekend, about 25 people were working in the yard.
“She loved to do crafts and she loved to put it on display for people to see and enjoy,” said her aunt Kerry Bibbs.
The display uses mostly recycled materials to make the spooky effects. Kelly, who made beautiful front-yard display for Mother’s Day, was helping right up until about three days before she died. She made the tin man, Frankenstein, as well as the witches, that are some of the highlights of the display.
“She just didn’t want to quit. When she had some energy, that’s what she’d put her focus into,” Bibbs said.
But Kelly knew she didn’t have much time, which is why they started on the display so early.
The project also gets support from the neighbours who sometimes drop off items that could be turned into works of art for the display.
Kelly worked several years with BC Ferries and also used to be a flag person.
“She had a big smile and an infectious laugh,” said Bibbs.
Kelly’s daughter Shaylene, her mom Pat, and four siblings, Tara, Michelle, Michael and Jodi, and nephews, Matt and Brodie, all helped out with the display.
