October 7, 1928 – April 22, 2026

Persis Marcella Massey passed away peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, at the age of 97 in West Kelowna, with her son Dan and his wife Bobbi by her side.

Persis was born in Indore, India, to Prem and Lily Das, the second of two daughters. She shared an especially close bond with her sister, Patience. A gifted student, Persis completed her schooling early and enrolled in teacher’s college at just 14. By age 16, she had returned to her own high school in Indore as a teacher.

A few years later, she met Thomas Massey, who was visiting from New Delhi and was the uncle of a close friend. After a year of correspondence, they were married in 1953. Although both were raised in Christian homes, it was through the ministry of American missionary John Dorsey that Persis and Tom came to a personal and abiding faith in Jesus Christ. From that point on, their lives were marked by a deep love for the Lord and a desire to serve Him faithfully.

Together, they began a small gathering in their home in 1961, which later grew into Faith Bible Presbyterian Church. At Persis’s encouragement, a Christian school was also established, and in 1962 she became one of the first teachers at Faith Academy, starting with only a handful of students. Over the years, the school has grown significantly and is now recognized as a leading English-speaking school in New Delhi, with more than 200 teachers and 3,500 students.

In 1963, Persis and Tom immigrated to Canada with their two young sons, Sunil (Don) and Dan, arriving in Kamloops with only a few suitcases and $14, due to currency restrictions in India at the time. Persis continued her teaching career while furthering her education through summer studies at UBC in Vancouver. She went on to teach at Bert Edwards Elementary for 23 years, where she was fondly remembered for her dedication and for the beautiful saris she wore each day, until her retirement in 1989.

In retirement, Persis devoted more time to her many creative pursuits, including oil painting, paper tole, flower arranging, gardening, knitting, crocheting, sewing, and reading. She also loved cooking and, together with Tom, regularly opened their home to family and friends, generously hosting gatherings filled with warmth, fellowship, and abundant food. Their faith remained central to their lives, and they were active members of First Baptist Church.

Persis was predeceased by her parents, her sister, and her beloved husband, Tom. She is lovingly remembered by her sons, Dr. Sunil (Dr. Valerie) of Edmonton and Daniel (Roberta) of West Kelowna; her grandchildren Ashleigh, Jarrett, Danica, and Isaac (Rebecca); and by many relatives, friends, neighbours, and former students whose lives she touched.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the incredible staff at Lakeview Lodge in West Kelowna for their compassionate care over the past three years.

A Celebration of Persis’s life will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Kamloops:
10:00 a.m. – Viewing at Kamloops Funeral Home, 285 Fortune Drive
11:00 a.m. – Chapel service, followed by a light lunch
1:00 p.m. – Graveside service at Hillside Cemetery, 750 Notre Dame Drive

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Gideons International (ShareWord Global), a ministry dear to Persis and Tom’s hearts, dedicated to sharing the Word of God around the world.

Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com