Forever known as ""Torchy"" passed away December
21/2011, with her family and friends at her side at her home at The
Waterford in Delta. Torchy was born on January 11/1925 and grew up on
the Red River in Winnipeg. There she spent many happy days exploring the
river with her speed skates in the winter, and her canoe in the lovely
summer months. Torchy was married to B. Alan Russell on May 6th/1949 at
the Canadian Memorial Church in Vancouver. From rooming houses, to the
Little Mountain army barracks where Al finished his degrees, they were
looking for just right place to settle. In 1955 just after daughter Gail
and son Dean's birth they found their family home on West 37th Ave. The
birth of Neil and Gary followed. With her family complete, Torchy found
her passion in volunteering. Most recently, Torchy was the Past
President of the ladies auxiliary of the War Amputations Society of
Canada. Her first love was words, and she worked for many years as the
voluntary librarian at Lord Byng School. She also spent many hours
helping in the early days of the Planetarium. In her later years, Torchy
was a dedicated worker at the Ladner Hospital Auxiliary and was a
member of the Ladner United Church. Torchy and Al loved to spend their
summers at Cultus Lake where they bought a cabin in 1960. Every summer
Torchy was the inspiration of the swim club and was her children's
biggest fan. She was an amazing person. In her spare time she was a
skilled bridge player, who also loved bowling and lawn bowling. Her
favorite station was the CBC because it kept her in touch with the world
and more importantly with Canadian stories. Torchy is predeceased by
her parents, Lenard and Jenny Bishop, her brother, Rick (Betty) Bishop
and her daughter Gail Londry. She will be sorely missed by sons Dean
(Sherry), Neil (Fran) and Gary (Fern) as well as her nine grandchildren
and six great grandchildren. The family would like to offer our very
grateful thanks to the nurses and staff of The Waterford who cared for
her with love and compassion in her last years. Also special thanks to
Dr. Ken Lai, for his thoughtful and professional attentions over
Torchy's life.
To celebrate her life, a gathering of family and friends
will be held in the New Year. Torchy lived her life with grace and hope.
She met her many challenges with great strength and faith. We loved
her, and she leaves an empty spot in our hearts. Ecclesiastes 3:1 ""To
every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the
heaven:""
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