Kennedy (nee Sinclair), Dolly

Parksville Qualicum Beach News Parksville: 2011 April 10

(nee Pearl Alberta Sinclair)
Died Age 96 (Jan 23, 1915 - April 10, 2011)

Dolly died after a three day illness with pneumonia at Qualicum Manor, Qualicum Beach, BC. Her parents were Archibald G. and Pearl A. (Logan) Sinclair. She is predeceased by her husband Thomas Alexander Kennedy, and her brother Robert A. Sinclair.

She leaves her daughter Robin (Roberta) D. Robinson and husband Sandy, her son David M. Kennedy and wife Linda, grandchildren David A. Robinson, Thomas M. Robinson and partner Sarah Wormsbecker, Michael H. Kennedy, Kiran K. Kennedy and husband Bruce Runciman, and great grandchildren Mhari and Ewan Runciman.

Dolly was born in Tofield Alberta where her father was a CNR station agent. She attended school in Edmonton, and during her teenage summers travelled with her mother and brother to Vancouver where she met Alex, her husband to be.

They were married in 1935 and lived in Powell River and Port McNeill in the days of high lead logging and donkey steam engines. In 1945 they moved to Vancouver. She began taking courses by correspondence from UBC in 1942, and graduated with a B.A. in 1950. This was a dedicated, long process. Immediately upon graduation she joined the Vancouver University Women’s Club which featured prominently during the rest of her life. She was active in many club interest groups and committees ranging from creative writing to important social advocacy ones.

While Dolly was president of the Vancouver Club it co-hosted, with the UBC Continuing Education Department, a Conference on The Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada, a benchmark for the place and rights women have in Canada today. Dolly was also active with the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW), which has 110 clubs across Canada. She was Western Vice-president in the early 1980s and helped establish many new clubs. She has been a member of the Parksville/Qualicum Club since she moved permanently to Parksville in 1998.

Other educational achievements that Dolly was proud of were graduation from the Vancouver Normal School in 1956 and her graduation in the first class of UBC’s Library Science School in 1962. She worked for a time as a children’s librarian in Vancouver and as a high school librarian in Ladner. She then became active with the Vancouver Public Library Board and helped establish the BC Library Trustees Association, travelling widely throughout the province on their behalf. Education, art, music, books, travel, CFUW and libraries were dear to her heart. Her children and their families have many well chosen books in their libraries gifted from her. Dolly was a remarkable woman, always gracious; she brought inventiveness, enthusiasm, wit and fun to whatever she did.

The family wish to thank Sue’s Senior Home Care for the fine support at Dolly’s home, and she was wonderfully cared for by the staff at Qualicum Manor who made her last year a happy and comfortable one.

There will be a celebration of her life at The Old School House, 122 Fern Rd. W, Qualicum Beach, at 2 PM on Sun. May 22. In lieu of flowers we invite you to make a donation in her memory to a charity of your choice.

Church, John

Honorary Life Member (1983)

Born Victoria, January 23, 1924, predeceased by his beloved younger son, Eric; survived by his devoted wife, Shirley, of 60+ years, three marvelous children, Paul, (Patti), Rowena and Robyn, and ten equally marvelous grandchildren, Matthew, Douglas, Amanda, Rebecca, Adam, Julian, Jesse, Emily, Eric and Allison. In addition to his family, John received many honors in his long life. Private family service. Any contributions to the Heart and Stroke Foundation as well as John's political concerns COPE and/or NDP would be appreciated. 

Published in the Vancouver Sun and/or The Province from 6/1/2010 - 6/2/2010

McCutcheon, Janet Louise

Born August 17, 1940 in Winnipeg Manitoba, passed away peacefully on May 24th in Vancouver, B.C. Janet graduated from Kelvin High School in 1957 and attended the universities of Manitoba, BC and Victoria. Janet was employed by the Sooke School District as a Teacher Librarian and French Teacher at Spencer Junior High from 1976 to 1999, with a three year secondment to the Ministry of Education from 1987 to 1990. Janet is survived by her husband Dennis, son Tristan, daughter-in-law Shannon, grandchildren Cody, 18, and Natalie, 2 1/2, and sister Marianne Schumacher of Winnipeg, Manitoba. She will also be missed by many friends. Janet will be remembered for her sharp wit, sense of humour and incisive mind. Janet's family wants to thank the staff of the Palliative Care Unit at Vancouver General Hospital for the gentle personal care they provided during the last weeks of her life. 

In lieu of flowers, all bequests in Janet's name should be directed to the Palliative Care Unit, V.G.H. 899 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., V5Z 1M9. It is Janet's request that there be no Memorial Service. 

Published in the Vancouver Sun and/or The Province on 5/29/2010

Lavender, Lawrence Clayton

BCTLA Distinguished Service Award (1993)

Lawrence Clayton Lavender lost his two-year battle with cancer at the age of 65 on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at the Creston Valley Hospital with all of his family at his side. Lawrence was born on May 30, 1944, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and grew up on a farm in Chaplin, Saskatchewan. In 1962, he graduated from Chaplin High School and went on to Teachers’ College. He later completed his Bachelor of Education at University of Saskatchewan and his Masters in Education at Gonzaga University. From 1963 to 1967, Lawrence taught elementary school in Kamsack, Saskatchewan. It was there that he met the love of his life, Margaret Rose. In 1967, he and soon-to-be-wife Margaret moved to Creston, BC. On July 14, 1968, Lawrence and Margaret were married in England and in 1971 started their family with the birth of their son, Christopher and in 1974, a daughter, Amy. Settling in Creston allowed Lawrence to build a life full of all the things that he loved: family, good friends, gardening, fishing, cross-country skiing, camping, home-improvement projects, photography, travel and his career in education. Lawrence’s career in Creston began as Teacher/Librarian at Creston (Adam Robertson) Elementary School. He then became District Librarian, District Resource Centre Coordinator and, finally, Director of Instruction for the local School District. Lawrence retired in 1999, allowing him time to serve on Council for the Town of Creston for two terms and to focus on his passion for libraries, continuing his service as Chairperson of the Creston Public Library Board, and President of both the BC Library Trustees Association and the Canadian Library Trustees. During his 42 years in Creston, Lawrence was a member of Creston Jaycees (Senator #27578), a dedicated Rotarian, serving two terms as Club President, and an avid volunteer. Lawrence will be most remembered for his warmth, integrity, humour, strength of character and sense of community. Lawrence is survived by his loving wife, Margaret, son, Christopher of Edmonton, AB, daughter, Amy (Douglas) McShane of Canmore, AB, brothers Leonard (Ellen) of Chemainus, BC, Tom (Joan) of Sherwood Park, AB, John (Wendy) of Edmonton, AB, sister Helen (Ken) Horsman of Saskatoon, SK and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Leonard & Mary Lavender, of Chaplin, SK.

The Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at the Trinity United Church, with Pastor Harry Haberstock officiating. A Private family interment of ashes to take place at the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Erickson, BC. Friends wishing to make a memorial contribution may do so to:Creston Public Library Lawrence Lavender Reading Garden 531 16th Ave. S., Creston, BC, V0B 1G5. BC Cancer Foundation 601 West 10th Ave. Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3 The Rotary Foundation Box 954 Creston, BC V0B 1G0

Cousins, Diana Margret

Died aged 67 on Tuesday night, following a brain aneurysm. A retired Delta teacher/librarian, she is survived by sons Grant and Brian, sister Lois, and brother Bobby.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 21, at 2:00 pm at the First Memorial Services Boal Chapel, 1505 Lillooet Road, North Vancouver. All who wish to pay their respects are welcome.

Quiring, Richard Walter

Richard Walter Quiring ran his last race to his Eternal Home on December 13, 2009. Richard was born November 1, 1947 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to Walter and Frances Quiring. 

Rich leaves behind his loving wife Shirley; children: Dean and Jody, Brenda, Shane and Joy, Rick and Karen; grandchildren: Alysha, Eryka, Jesse, Laura, Justin, Harley, Johanna and Jesse; his parents: Walter and Frances, three brothers and extended family. 

He obtained his Bachelor of Education at the University of Calgary and taught at Crowfoot School at Siksika, Yellowknife, Drumheller, Calgary, Nakusp and Chilliwack. 

Mr. Q. spent many years teaching at Greendale Elementary School in Chilliwack. During this time, he received his Masters Degree from the University of Victoria. He loved to teach and valued the children in his care. He enjoyed working with the families and staff at Greendale Elementary School.
Funeral services will be held at Broadway M.B. Church at 3:00 pm on December 17, 2009. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Terry Fox Foundation. 

Chilliwack Progress

Kendrick, Isabella (Bel)

It is with a profound sense of loss that Bel's family announces her passing on September 21, 2009. Bel was born in Fernie, BC, educated at Brandon College and UBC, and worked as a talented and enthusiastic teacher and librarian in Penticton, as well as later in her life at Alma College in Ontario. Beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, Bel was frugal with her own needs and incredibly generous to others, sharing her home, time, and compassion with all who crossed her path. Predeceased by husband Bert and sister Agnes, Bel is survived by her daughter, Margaret (Bill), granddaughters Ainsley and Lindsey, sister Mary Anne McCulloch, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbours.

The family wishes to express gratitude for the kindness and care provided by Dr. LeBel in Summerland and staff of Evergreen House, Lions Gate Hospital. No service by request. Donations may be made to Raise-a-Reader.