Friday, March 7, 2003

D'Arcy, Grace Agnes

BCTLA Honorary Life Member

Died peacefully February 25, 2003 in her 94th year. Born in Calgary, Alberta, she grew up in Chemainus and Nanaimo. Grace was predeceased by her parents the Rev. Canon Septimus Ryall and Agnes Ballingall Ryall as well as her four brothers and two sisters. Following graduation from U.B.C. (BA 1929) Grace taught school in Victoria before moving to St. Michael's Residential School, Alert Bay (1932 - 1936) where she established life long friendships amongst her students. In 1936 Grace taught in Duncan. She married Geoffrey D'Arcy in 1937 in Victoria where their children were born over the next three years. From 1941 - 1947 Grace worked as a substitute teacher at Oak Bay High and St. Margaret's Schools. For the next five years Grace taught in a one-room school in Telegraph Cove where the enrollment included her own three children. From 1952 - 1964 Grace served as teacher-librarian in the Parksville Qualicum school district. In 1964 Grace obtained her Master of Library Science Degree from the University of Washington after completing fieldwork at Stanford University. She relocated to Winnipeg to accept the position of Supervisor of School Libraries for the Province of Manitoba until her retirement in 1974. Grace then returned to her beloved home in Parksville where she remained until her death. In retirement Grace was active in her community with S.O.S., District 69 Historical Society, University Womens Club and her church. Survived by her daughter, Faith (Ralph Crozier), sons Richard (Heather) and Christopher (Deborah); grandchildren Michael, Rebecca (Vladimir Cizek), Alexandra, Graeme, Nathaniel and Winston; great-granddaughters Erika, Grace and Sofia Isabel in Prague; and many nieces, nephews and loyal friends. The family particularly thanks Community Care Services Home Support for their interested and compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Grace's memory, may be made to the Scholarship Fund of C.F.U.W. Parksville-Qualicum Club, P.O. Box 113, Qualicum Beach, BC, V9K 1S7 or Parish of St. Anne's/St. Edmund's Bursary Centenary Trust, 407 Wembley Rd., Parksville, BC, V9P 2B2. A Celebration of Grace's life took place March 1st, 2003 at St. Anne's/St. Edmund's Anglican Church, Parksville, BC, followed by Interment in St. Anne's Cemetery. YATES FUNERAL SERVICE & CREMATORIUM (1-877-264-3848) in care of arrangements.

Tuesday, March 4, 2003

McDonald, Margaret L. (Biggs)

April 29, 1917, Auckland, N.Z., December 17, 2002, Saltspring Island, B.C. BA UBC 1938, MA UBC 1947. Predeceased by her mother Dorothy E. Biggs and brother Jack C. (Mary) Biggs. Survived by her brother Selwyn (Jennifer) Biggs, Auckland and son Bruce McDonald, Saltspring Island; 4 nieces and nephews, Margaret (John) Keogh, Ottawa; Michael Biggs, Vancouver; David Biggs, Albany, N.Y.; Virginia (Mike) Sullivan, Auckland. Margaret was a long time resident of New Westminster and Saltspring Island. She influenced the lives of thousands of students in her roles as history teacher, counsellor and librarian at Moody High School, Port Moody, from 1946 to 1977. She was active in the University Women's Club in New Westminster and the Saltspring Island Public Library. There was no service by request.