Louise Jocelyn Harkema
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my mother Louise. She left her 64 years on this earth November 10th 2021, after a difficult battle with cancer. Louise was born October 19th, 1957 in Port Alberni, British Columbia to Jan and Louise Harkema. She is survived by her children Elisha (Jordan) and Jocelyn; her granddaughter Piper; and her siblings Derek, Mary, Andrea, Ellen, and Harold. She was predeceased by her parents and brother Jan Mark Harkema.
Louise was an autonomous and ever-evolving person that marched to her own beat. She made many strong connections mentally and spiritualty as a mother, a sister, an auntie, a friend, a therapist and a teacher. In these connections her loving memory lives on.
Though she spent many years building her successful business as a Massage Therapist/ Svroopra Yoga teacher and raising her two children in Calgary, Alberta, Louise often said her heart called her home to the ocean.
From an early age, living on Salt Spring Island, Louise was a tenacious beach comber, avid swimmer, a nature lover, and an adventure at heart. That adventurous spirt took her traveling around the world many times throughout her life. Louise preferred experiences over possessions and had a great sense of ‘Harkema’ humor.
She loved live music – blues, rock, jazz, folk; she was the first to kick off her shoes and get up to dance and the last to leave. She always sung the loudest despite lyric and key, yet with such beautiful conviction that it never mattered.
She reminded us often to be engaged and embraced life’s little moments. Moments like a beautiful sun rise at Fernwood dock or watching a colorful bird at breakfast over the strongest cup of morning coffee. Her strength and spontaneous nature will be remembered fondly by those who knew her. In the summers she would spend hours at the beach to find the perfect moon snail shell; but was also the one who would drive the fasted down ‘big dip’ hill screaming “hold on to your butts”. Louise lived life to the fullest and always with love.
Family was always one of the most important things for Louise. She often remarked that her granddaughter Piper was her “pride and joy”.
She will be deeply missed by all.
To honour her wishes, Louise’s ashes will be spread in the Triconmali Channel, west of Salt Spring Island, during her celebration of life this coming spring (2022), exact date to be determined.
A second small memorial will be held in Calgary, exact date TBD.