Diana Averill Kramer (nee Phipps) died peacefully following a series of strokes on July 25, 2023, with husband Ernst, daughter Averill, and dog Polly by her side in her Vancouver home. She was 86.

Diana was deeply loved by Ernst, children Nicolaas, Stewart (Rosanne) and Averill (Tom), stepson Ernst (Mariette), and all her grandchildren.

Daughter of Stewart and Frances Phipps, and beloved sister of Barbara, Diana spent her early life in Western Canada. She raised her own family in New York and the Netherlands before settling on Salt Spring Island for more than 30 years with the love of her life, Ernst, with whom she spent 48 happy and adventure-filled years.

An incredibly open, warm, and generous spirit, Diana made life-long friendships everywhere she went. Known widely as ‘”Dinny,” she was a fiercely loyal and caring friend to those she met in Winnipeg, New York, the Netherlands, Palm Springs, Salt Spring, and Vancouver. She highly valued her phone calls, correspondence, and dinners with her friends, relationships she happily nurtured her entire life.

Diana loved the added community and music of the Anglican Church that she shared with Ernst. She was an active person, always attracted to the more social aspects of tennis, golf, bridge, and walking her dogs to Nose Point. She was an excellent interior decorator, gardener and cook, and enjoyed painting portraits and landscapes.

Diana loved beautiful things including flowers, dogs, parties, and, above all, her grandchildren. She bore the loss of her eyesight over the past few years with courage, remaining a wonderful conversationalist full of breezy wit and quirky turns of phrase.

Diana will be deeply missed.

A ceremony will be held on Salt Spring Island at a time to be announced. In lieu of flowers please hug your pet, admire a plant, share a meal with a loved one.

We sadly announce the passing of Robert (Bob) Dale Morrisette Sr. on July 24, 2023 in his 94th year, with his partner Patricia by his side. Bob was predeceased by his wife Althea in 1998. Bob leaves behind his sister Marlene Weston, partner Patricia Hewett, daughters Christina and Leanne, son Bob, grandchildren Jessica, Stephanie, Daniel, Amanda, Trevor and Caitlin. Great grandchildren Brenna, Dylan and Ronnie. Extended family members and his many good friends from the old days and from the present. To the guys of the Friday morning breakfast club – you are truly good friends.

Bob was born in Nelson B.C. and raised by his grandparents in the Kerrisdale area of Vancouver where the Morrisette Heritage House still stands today. Bob and Althea purchased a home in Coquitlam B.C. where they raised their family. Bob worked in the graphics industry in Vancouver as well as running his own business manufacturing hand made printing plates for companies who printed corrugated boxes and large wrapping material. Eventually Bob and Althea retired together on Mayne Island in 1984. After Althea’s passing, Bob moved to Salt Spring Island in 2000 where he later met his partner Patricia. Bob had led a very active, social and creative life, participating in many community events. Boating, fishing, camping and bike riding were just a few of his hobbies and doing it all into his 90’s. Bob’s glass was always half full, perhaps the secret to his longevity.

Thank you to Dr. Reznick, all the staff at Lady Minto Hospital and to all the family and friends who came by to brighten up his final days. We will be holding a Celebration of Life at a later date for close family and friends.

Judy Boylan, loving mother, good friend, and long-time secretary for Gulf Islands School District #64, succumbed to complications from cancer at the age of 80, on June 23rd of 2023. Throughout her stay at Lady Minto Hospital, she remained clear-headed, comfortable, and almost pain-free. Thanks again to all the hospital staff, whose kindness and care made the end of her life more pleasant, and sometimes even fun.

Strong to the end, she expressed no fear of death, only disappointment that there wasn’t much time left — probably the sweetest, gentlest, toughest woman you’ll ever meet. She will be missed.

She is survived by her son Patrick, daughter Kathleen, brother Rex, unofficial step-daughter Christine, and countless former students of Gulf Islands schools, who remember her fondly. Special appreciation for Michelle and Cliff, who’ve been her best friends through her last years, and even her last moments.

There will be a memorial and celebration of life event on Sunday, September 3rd, from noon to three in the downstairs of the Legion. This date seemed perfect because it’s just before the school year begins, and her work there meant so much to her. It’s also on the Labour Day long weekend, and labour union solidarity was also important to her. Come say your farewells, and wish her a safe journey home.

Marnie Keith-Murray, adventurer, entrepreneur, networker, advocate, and sailor, made her exit on March 21, 2023. Born in Bath, England, August 20, 1937, to David and Nancy Keith-Murray (nee Gautschi). Sister to Peter and Mark, mother to daughter Andrea (deceased), and sons Paul (Trish) and Colin (Cassandra). She leaves her beloved grandson and roomie, Ty, and her travelling grandchildren, Ashton, Natalie and Devin.

Marnie moved from England in 1945, aged 8, to Vancouver, acquiring a lifelong love of the sea. Schooled in North Vancouver and at UBC in Physical Education, she joined the RCAF, and was commissioned in 1958. Her postings took her to Yukon and Winnipeg, where she married and was transferred to France, living in nearby Virton, Belgium. Andrea and Paul were born there and Colin in Nova Scotia where she taught PE. Transferred in 1968 to Moosonee, Marnie was Town Recreation Director. She enjoyed snowmobiling, snowshoeing, crossing frozen rivers in the dark, and travels around Hudson Bay. Next transfer was Trenton, ON, teaching at Bayside SS, travelling on weekends to work with the Canadian Red Cross Water Safety program as an examiner. In 1976, the Red Cross lured her to Toronto as full-time Director of Youth.
After 5 years in executive search, Marnie launched her own executive search firm in 1988. Marnie was instrumental in shaping women’s networking in Toronto. She ran networking nights, coordinated with other groups and published a national directory of women’s networks. She was an active member of the McGill and Elmwood clubs.

She loved Lake Ontario and joined local sailing clubs. After spying the beautiful clubhouse of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, she joined in 1993. Not interested in racing on other’s boats, she bought Capilano, her 8.7-metre sailboat. She sailed solo all around Lake Ontario, leading to 26 years of fun, adventure, groundings, meeting rocks, lightning strikes and great friendships. In 2010 she was the first solo sailor to win the Hodder Award and followed with Cruising Squadron Sailor of the Year in 2011.
In 2001, she joined her community of friends on her beloved Salt Spring Island in BC. Four years of sailing in the Caribbean and Bahamas intervened and Marnie enjoyed

many adventures exploring the ICW and the islands. After volunteering at the Vancouver Olympics, she moved to Paris for four years, summering at RCYC on Capilano. Her beloved daughter Andrea died in 2015 and Marnie settled into a new life as resident Nana to 12-year-old Ty.

A wonderful seven years on the Danforth, with a teenager who sailed, the best little dog in the world and family close by, came to an end when ALS appeared.

Through her illness, Marnie brought together her many friends to assist. This was a gift to all as they soon developed a shared bond with one another. Marnie’s courage, pragmatism, commitment to fitness, sense of adventure, love of friends, and sheer willpower became an inspiration for many. She added her trademark elixir of champagne to every celebration. She will be greatly missed.

April 6, 1940 – July 2, 2023

On Sunday, July 2nd, Bob Hann passed away at Lady Minto Hospital. He was 83.
Bob was born in Christchurch, Dorset, during WWII, the younger of two sons. As a child he sang boy soprano in the choir of the Christchurch Priory and worked as a professional singer. At 14, he was sent to pre-sea training on the unheated, Victorian-era ship, The Mercury, where, in winter, it was so cold that cadets’ hammocks would often freeze. Along with his nautical training, he also performed lead roles in musicals such as Gilbert & Sullivan’s, Patience. At 17 he joined the Merchant Marines, sailing to ports around England and abroad, such as Hamburg, Sydney, Lima, and Hong Kong. He met his wife, Lavinia, at a dance in Brockenhurst, Hampshire, while on shore leave at age 23; they married in 1964 and emigrated to Canada in 1966.

Life in the new world was good: Bob found work as an accountant for Fruehauf Trailers, bought a house in the Toronto suburbs, and welcomed his first child, a daughter, Joelle. In 1975, the family moved to Victoria, where his son, William, was born, and then settled on Saltspring. Bob worked for the B.C. Ferries starting as a deck officer in 1975 and retiring as Master Captain in 2001.

Music was always playing in Bob’s house, whether the Cambridge Singers, Boston Pops or Abba. He loved golfing, fishing, woodwork, making bread, going on cruises, and watching sports. He had a keen sense of humour and justice, and appreciated a glass of scotch. He also loved to learn, teaching himself to play the organ and getting his pilot’s license so he could fly himself to work. He enjoyed his grandchildren and grieved the early death of his son, Bill, from cancer, in 2012.

Bob is survived by his wife Lavinia, daughter Joelle, daughter-in-law, Maureen, grandson Alex, granddaughter, Sammie, and two nieces in New Zealand, Deborah and Ingrid.

The family is grateful to the staff at Lady Minto for their excellent care for Bob during his last six months.

Celebration of life will be held at the Saltspring Natural Cemetery on August 8th at 2pm.