Blunt, Gwen

Vancouver Sun: 2012 June 5

May 10, 1943 - May 30, 2012 

Born in Newcastle, England on May 10, 1943 to John and Charlotte Lewis, Gwen passed away at Cottage Hospice in Vancouver on May 30. She is survived by her son Andrew (Erin) and her grandchildren Elliott and Charlotte who adored their "Grandma G". Gwen was a longtime teacher and librarian who appreciated the smaller things in life such as a glass of wine with friends, a good book, or a walk on the seawall on a sunny day. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Gwen's name to the BC Cancer Agency or St. James Community Service Society (Cottage Hospice). There will be no service by request but please drop by and join us for an informal gathering at Monk McQueens (601 Stamps Landing in Vancouver) on Saturday June 9 from 2 to 4 pm.

King, Helen (nee Manery)

Prince George Citizen: 2012 January 12

June 8, 1916 - December 20, 2011 

Helen Marion Manery was born to Similkameen pioneers, and grew up on her parents' farm and orchard in Cawston with her five siblings. She received her teaching credentials in 1935 and got her first teaching job in Kaleden. There she met and married Ron King, and together they raised five children. Helen sewed their clothes, taught them poetry and songs, and instilled in them the values close to her heart. In the 1960's the family moved to Prince George. Ron worked for BC Telephone, and Helen continued her teaching career at Kelly Road and Peden Hill Elementary. She loved the kids, the creativity, and the challenges of teaching. She went to night school and to UBC to continue her education as a school librarian. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Prince George, taught Sunday School and Pioneer Girls, sang in the choir, and participated in missions societies. She lived out her faith by adhering to the values she had learned as a girl. Love people, live with integrity, work hard, stay true to your commitments and give generously to others. Helen exercised a life long gift of offering hospitality to others. The King home was always open to young people, friends and family. Sundays after church, Helen hosted lunch for visitors to church, and many people also stayed in their home for extended periods of time. After Ron and Helen retired to Kaleden, they welcomed many of their Prince George friends to their home by the lake. Helen was kindhearted, caring, and supportive. She also had an independent spirit. A woman ahead of her time, she omitted from her marriage vows the promise to obey; she thought that to love and honour was sufficient. She had a pragmatic sort of wisdom, choosing the practices that worked for her from the pendulum swings of educational theory. She had an artistic flair, knitting sweaters and crocheting bedspreads for all her grandchildren. In her final years, despite the loss of many abilities, she retained her sense of humour and her gentle disposition. She often expressed gratitude to those who cared for her. After almost seventy years of marriage, Ron died in 2010. We who remain are blessed to have shared Helen's life: children Douglas (Vivian), Elaine (Bill), Meredith (Bill), Barbara (Jon), Judith (Randy), 10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and a large extended family. 

A celebration of Helen's life will be held in Kaleden on the August long weekend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hope International Development Agency at hope-international.com or to Canadian Baptist Ministries at www.cbmin.org.

Russell, Mildred Evelyn

Vancouver Sun: 2011 December 29

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:""

Gilchrist, Margaret (nee Peircy)

Vancouver Sun: 2011 December 16

February 24, 1933 - December 13, 2011 

Margaret passed away peacefully from cancer at the North Shore Hospice. She is survived by her three sons, Angus (Julia), Ian (Anita) and Bruce (Vicki) and four grandchildren, Duncan, Malcolm, Oscar and Tashi. Her husband for forty-eight years, Aluin Gilchrist, passed away in November, 2010. Born in Sussex, England to Alfred and Winifred Piercy, she was raised by her mother in Storrington during World War II as her father was stationed at a secret radar facility. Margaret was a keen student and attended Southampton University on scholarship where she studied Romance languages, including an elective semester in Grenoble. Margaret taught girls' secondary school for a year but then decided to emigrate to Vancouver for brighter prospects. She crossed the Atlantic on RMS Queen Mary, landing at New York, then travelled by train to Montreal and on to Vancouver. In Vancouver, Margaret quickly forged numerous lasting friendships. She worked at the University of British Columbia Library before returning to teaching, taking a secondary school position in Coquitlam. She met Aluin through mutual friends and in the early days they enjoyed hiking and skiing together. Aluin and Margaret married in 1962 at St. Monica's Church, West Vancouver, and lived together from then on at Eagleridge Drive. Margaret was particularly active at St. Monica's Anglican Church in West Vancouver as a leading member of the altar guild for many years. She will be remembered for contributing her prized preserves to church sales. For her longstanding dedication, she was recently awarded the Order of the Diocese by the Bishop of New Westminster. In later years, after raising her three sons, Margaret worked as a substitute teacher, librarian and ESL instructor in the West Vancouver district. In 1986, she worked as a host at the Canada Pavilion at the World's Fair, once again utilizing her talent for languages. Margaret also volunteered weekly for over twenty years at the Crane Library, UBC, making audio recordings for the reading impaired. After a diagnosis of osteoporosis, she became an active participant in Better Bones classes. Margaret was especially fond of her friends made at the Gleneagles Community Center. Among other activities, including painting and drawing, Margaret was an enthusiastic member of her book club. She was also fond of cats, counting Abyssinians and ginger-tabbies as her favourites. The Gilchrist family offers many thanks to all who visited Margaret and who cared for her at Lions Gate Hospital and the North Shore Hospice. 

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, December 17th, 1:30 pm, at St. Monica's Church, 6404 Wellington Ave, West Vancouver, followed by a reception at the Gleneagles Golf Clubhouse, 6190 Marine Dr, West Vancouver, at 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Somerville, Lucy Hope

Vancouver Sun: 2011 December 11

January 28, 1921 - December 3, 2011 We are saddened to announce the passing of our much-loved Mom, Mom-in-law, Grandma and Great-grandma, Lucy Hope Somerville. Lucy was born in Chilliwack in 1921, the middle child of Alfred and Kate Tranmer. At twenty, during WW2, she travelled across the nation by train to marry her soldier, Ron Somerville, who was posted overseas three days later; they did not see each other for another four years. After the war they lived in Haney, Penticton, Nelson and Vancouver. Lucy was a popular and loved teacher/librarian at Inman School in Burnaby for many years. Ron passed away in 1977. Mom eventually retired with her sister to Chilliwack where she lived another 25 years and recently moved to Pacifica Residence in Surrey where she made wonderful new friends. Mom enjoyed great health for her ninety years. Up until the last couple of months she was still reading avidly, acing killer crosswords, and embroidering beautiful tablecloths. She was predeceased by her husband Ron, her brother, Lloyd Tranmer, her son-in-law, J. Alan Duncan and many beloved friends. She is survived by her sister, Margaret Tranmer of Surrey, BC, and her loving daughters, Kit Schindell (Dal), Rachel Duncan, and Tracey Tartaglia (Larry). Missing her tremendously are her four adult grandchildren who adored her: Julie Tartaglia (Russ Cann) of New Westminster, Mike Tartaglia (Shannon) of Kelowna, Marieke Schindell (Tyrell Bobowski) of Vancouver and Claire Schindell (Ryan Bertoli) of Williams Lake. Her namesake, little Lucie Bertoli, brought her much joy. 

Mom decided against a formal service, but we will have a private family event at a future date to honour this wonderful woman. Please sign the online guest book - we'd love to hear from you. www.kearneyfs.com Kearney's Cloverdale (604-574-2603)

MacKirdy, Ina (Dearing)

Victoria Times Colonist: 2011 October 13

MacKIRDY, Ina BA, BLS, (nee Dearing) 

 

We are saddened to announce that our mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend, Ina MacKirdy, BA, BLS, (nee Dearing) passed away peacefully at age 91 on October 10, 2011. Predeceased by husband and Cowichan School Superintendent, Harvey MacKirdy, son Mark, and sister Enid Dearing. She is survived by three children, Judy, John and Janis. Also five grandchildren, Jennifer, Sarah, Kayla, Corbin and Aidan. Ina completed her Bachelor of Arts degree and teacher training at UBC in 1941 and taught secondary school in Abbotsford. She later received a Bachelor of Library Science in the U.S. and continued her Teacher/Librarian career in Powell River. Always an active member of the United Church, early church work included summers in Prince Rupert and the Queen Charlotte Islands, and also included the past 39 years as a member of the Duncan United Church. 

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.