Granger, Hilda

Born April 20, 1915 in Moline, Manitoba, passed away May 21, 2009 at Hilton Villa Care Home in Surrey. "Miss Granger" taught school for 42 years, the first 15 in Manitoba moving to Surrey in 1948. She is best remembered as a teacher-librarian at Princess Margaret High School and Cloverdale Junior Secondary. She retired in 1975 and volunteered for the Girl Guides and Meals on Wheels. Thank you to the staff at Ivy Lodge and Hilton Villa. Hilda's life will be celebrated at a memorial service at St. Helen's Anglican Church, (where she faithfully attended and served on the Altar Guild) 10787 - 128 Street, Surrey, on Saturday, May 30, 10:30 a.m. Her ashes will be buried at St. Helen's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to St. Helen's, Feed The Children Canada, or Union Gospel Mission.

Masters, Robin Geza

1958 - 2009 "Life gets rough, life gets tough, So tell me what you gonna do about it?" The Specials - "Pressure Drop" These words from one of Robin's favourite bands, encapsulates the last 9 years of his life. Our entire family's lives were turned upside down with the onset of Robin's carcinoid cancer. He was brave, long-suffering, remained unfailingly polite in the face of arduous treatments and side-effects, wishing for that elusive miracle. However, in order for us to come to grips with losing this wondrous 50 year young man, his wife, Karen, sons, Rory (Olivia) and Riley, and daughter, Emily wish to remember the husband and dad who was loving, dependable, a mentor to many, incredibly well-read, and inspirational. Robin's life-long passion for books and reading and love of children combined naturally in his chosen career as teacher/librarian in Delta. Before his illness, Robin was consumed with running, mountain biking, comic and graphic novel collecting, and supporting his children's many activities. Because he was extraordinary, he had an extraordinary number of friends and the love and respect of many colleagues. Remembering him also, are his sister, Evelyn (Ron) Embree, and brothers, Ian and Doug (Trudy) and several nieces and nephews.

A "Celebration of Life" (expect the unexpected!) will be held Saturday, February 28 at 2:00 p.m. in "Robin's library" at Delta Secondary School in Ladner. In lieu of flowers, you would be honouring our family with a donation to the Delta Hospice Building Fund in Robin's name.

"The only reason people die, is because everyone does it. You all just go along with it. It's rubbish, Death. It's stupid. I don't want nothing to do with it!" - "The Absolute Sandman" by Neil Gaiman

Chiu, Jean Elaine

It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Jean Elaine Chiu. She was born on December 13, 1934 in Hong Kong and passed away on November 28, 2008 in Surrey Memorial Hospital. Left behind to mourn are Clifton, husband and soul mate for 50 years, Corinne (Vincent) only daughter, Natasha and Gabrielle, grand-daughters, as well as two brothers, Sandy and Wilson, and four sisters, Alma, Mabel, Maize, and Mimi. Jean was born and raised in Hong Kong and educated at St. Paul's Convent School and Hong Kong University. She taught English at St. Clare's Girls' School for nine years with a year off for post-graduate studies in education at the University of Toronto and at UBC. After moving to Canada in 1968, she completed a Master's degree in Education. She taught in the Delta School District for 30 years where she was teacher-librarian at Annieville and Jarvis schools before she retired to a life of being a full-time grandmother. Jean was a lover of classical music, an accomplished seamstress and a crafter of jewellery. Her extended families will miss her many artistic talents and her generous spirit. Her circle of friends, colleagues and former students will miss her vivacity, infectious energy and sense of humour. In lieu of flowers a donation to Mount St. Joseph Hospital Tapestry Foundation for Health Care ( www.tapestryfoundation.ca ) will be most appreciated. Heartfelt thanks to Dr. R. Lee and all the nurses at Mount Joseph and Surrey Memorial hospitals who looked after her during her battles with pneumonia. A Celebration of Jean's life will be held in the future.

Slavik, Helen

Helen was born November 27, 1941 in Lethbridge Alberta and passed away September 1, 2008 in New Westminster at the age of 66. Helen will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by her family and friends. She was a dynamic teacher/librarian in the Coquitlam School District for 33 years before she retired in 1999. Helen's friends and colleagues were always entertained by her many stories of her travels and her wicked sense of humour. Her memory will be cherished in the hearts of all whose lives she touched. Helen was predeceased by her parents Martin and Jennie, sisters Betty and Ruth, brothers Milan and Joe, nephews Allen, Robert and David. Helen is survived by her sister Lydia (Art) Perini of Taber AB, brother John (Ann) Slavik of White Rock BC, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. The family would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the staff at Queen's Park Care Centre who looked after Helen in her last years. They would also like to thank the many friends who loyally stayed with Helen throughout her final journey.

In lieu of flowers donations to the BC Cancer Foundation would be appreciated. No service by request. A celebration of Helen's life will take place at a later date.

MacIver, Dolina

We regret the passing of Dolina MacIver who died peacefully in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 15, 2008 at the age of 100. Dolina is survived by her sister Christina and nieces and nephews. Dolina was a longtime resident of Vancouver and had a long career as a teacher and librarian. She will be greatly missed. There will be a private family remembrance.

Francis, Alice Mary

October 25, 1920 - February 28, 2008 We sadly announce the passing of Alice Mary Francis on February 28th, 2008, in Maple Ridge, BC at the age of 87 years. She was predeceased by her husband Blaine. Alice will be greatly missed by her son Norman, daughter-in-law Pat, daughter Leanne Stewart, son-in-law Dean, and grandchildren Kimberley, Sarah, and Luc Francis and Jordan and Brett Stewart. Alice will also be greatly missed by her brother Alfred Knowles, sister Jean Wilkinson and brother-in-law Fred, as well as many nieces, nephews, and long-time friends. Born in Unity, Saskatchewan, Alice moved to Grand Forks, British Columbia with her family at a young age. She attended teacher training in Victoria, and first worked as a schoolteacher in the Kootenays and in Keremeos. Alice moved to Oliver in 1945 where she met her husband Blaine, and where they lived happily married for 54 years. She taught at the Oliver Elementary School from 1945 to 1948 and was the school's librarian from 1965 to 1975. She was well respected by colleagues and students alike. Alice was an active member of the Activity Club, the Oliver Historical Society, and the United Church. She was a kind-hearted person who loved life at home, as well as traveling abroad. She enjoyed camping, fishing and cross-country skiing with her husband Blaine, as well as cooking, canning, pie-making, and organizing arts and crafts for her grandchildren. Alice loved music, and played the piano and organ.

A memorial service to celebrate Alice's life is to be held at the Oliver United Church at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 8th with a tea to follow. Arrangements entrusted to Graham Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer Society of B.C. will be greatly appreciated.

Bailey, Karen

October 28, 1942 January 5, 2008. Karen passed away peacefully on January 5, 2008 at Vancouver General Hospital. She was predeceased by her mother Phyllis Bailey and her father John Cameron Bailey. She is survived by her brother Bill Bailey of Prince George; her nieces Allyson Lindemann (Bill) and Phylisa Huchcroft, several grand nieces, and many friends. Born in Vancouver, Karen spent her early life in Melville, Saskatchewan. She completed high school in Vancouver, graduated from Simon Fraser University, and later completed her library science training at UBC. Karen will be remembered as an amazing classroom teacher and teacher-librarian who spent years successfully teaching children at several East Side Vancouver schools. Karen was a very active and outspoken member of the Vancouver Elementary School Teachers' Association representing the interests of her students and colleagues. After her retirement in 1999, Karen continued to be involved with children with special needs. She celebrated their abilities and tried to help them with their disabilities. All of her life, Karen was very protective of those she loved and cared for. She cared very much about her family, especially her brother, his children and grandchildren, and was proactive and passionate in her defense of her students and others in her care. She could be very blunt with one person and then choose her words very carefully to avoid hurting another person the next minute. An avid reader who enjoyed going to plays, movies, ballets, opera, antique and art shows, Karen also enjoyed gardening, shopping, travel, and having lunch with friends. In addition pets played a very important part in her life. Karen's love for her dog Amos and her cats was unconditional and they were devoted and loyal to her until the very end. Karen battled breast cancer courageously for years and had great respect for the doctors, nurses and health care workers who treated her. Many thanks to Doctors Chia and Majeed; and also to Debbie Jepson and Franziska Harder at the BCCA, for their care and sympathy. Karen will be missed tremendously by her family, friends, former students and their parents, but she will always be remembered for the impact she made on them. 

No funeral or memorial service will be held at her request. Donations may be made in Karen's memory to the BC Cancer Agency or to the SPCA.