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Brewery expansion meets early neighbourhood opposition  

Robb Magley
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Brewery expansion meets early neighbourhood opposition  

In the late 1990s, one of the first beers crafted by the nascent brewery at the end of Furness Road was named “Bureaucracy Bitter” — a hoppy nod to Salt Spring’s long permitting process.  

Decades later, early steps for the Salt Spring Brewing Company’s efforts to expand from a “tasting room” to a “lounge” liquor manufacturer licence have already run into resistance from neighbours. An April 11 virtual “open house” hosted by the Islands Trust through Zoom brought the brewery’s local management staff and nearby residents together in a public consultation, part of the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) approval process.  

The brewery has asked the LCRB for an expanded tasting room and patio, representing a new cap of 50 patrons on the new outdoor patio and a change of potential operating hours to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. most days, staying open as late as 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Islands Trust planner Anthony Fotino pointed out his role at the open house was to act as a “middleman” — simply to facilitate the public portion of the liquor branch application.  

“We’re just relaying what concerns the community has,” said Fotino. “What I can tell you is that there is a fair amount of opposition to this application.”  

Concerns from residents at adjacent properties — and from others on-island — included noise from intoxicated patrons and speedy traffic at the end of a road populated by at least some families with young children. Additional concerns surrounding water and septic — and the general notion of what was seen as a bar in a residential neighbourhood — drove a consensus among public attendees that, at a minimum, hearing from the owner on their mitigation plans was necessary.  

Brewery management staff said the owner was “overseas,” but Fotino said in addition to relaying information to LCRB, he would be reaching out to the owner on the community’s concerns.   

Salt Spring Brewing Company is currently owned by the Victoria-based Forbes Group; principal Michael Forbes made national news recently when a pharmaceutical company he helmed announced it had obtained a Health Canada licence to sell cocaine.   

Health Canada later clarified the licence did not grant permission to sell to the general public. In addition to the brewing operation on Salt Spring, Forbes Group owns an assortment of cannabis, psychedelics, “biohacking” and assisted/complex living centres, as well as rental stores and pharmacies, according to company literature.   

The LCRB process is only the beginning for the brewery’s expansion plans. Fotino said regardless of the LCRB’s decision, Salt Spring’s Local Trust Committee (LTC) would still need to consider the land use portion of the application at 270 Furness Rd. That issue may be before the LTC as soon as its May 18 meeting, he said. 

Islanders invited to Gabriola economic forum

Driftwood Staff
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Islanders invited to Gabriola economic forum

Economic, environmental and social challenges faced by B.C.’s rural island communities will be dissected at an April 25-27 forum on Gabriola Island.

Residents of all Gulf Islands are welcome to attend the conference hosted by the Rural Island Economic Partnership (RIEP), a non-profit society dedicated to furthering economic resilience among B.C.’s rural islands.

Called an “unconference” conference, the forum was created in 2019 to address challenges and build resilience across the province’s network of rural island communities. Following a series of online-only events during COVID, this year’s forum marks a return to in-person events for RIEP, and will feature and focus on action.

“We’re thrilled to be back in-person, but the challenges for many rural island communities go back many, many years — economically, environmentally and socially,” said RIEP board chair Francine Carlin. “Our 2022 virtual forum gave us a real head of steam, and we’re carrying it forward to this year’s theme of ‘connect, reflect and act.’ We’re grateful to our supporters, like presenting sponsor Vancity, who understand the action imperative and have stepped up for the forum and our rural island communities.”

The 2023 forum program will include interactive panels and presentations on a variety of topics, such as the economics of climate change, regenerative economics and working with Indigenous-owned businesses and communities, as well as participatory “action labs” on themes such as housing, tourism, arts and agri-food.

People can learn more about the conference and register at RIEPForum.ca.

Guest column: Workforce housing units and water

Contributed Article
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Guest column: Workforce housing units and water

BY ERIC BOOTH

Fourth in a series

Virtually every discussion around increasing development/density for workforce housing units (WHUs) on Salt Spring revolves around availability of water.

The other three service issues — septic, hydro and roads — pale in comparison, as those are relatively easy to solve.

All water on the island originates from the sky: one metre falls annually. Some is stored in lakes, some in our aquifers and huge amounts run out to the ocean. We “consume” about one per cent of the rain that falls, and deliver that entire one per cent back into the environment via the oceans, aquifers and atmosphere.

The quantity of rainwater stored in our aquifers is entirely dependent upon our underground geology. In generalized terms, Salt Spring is comprised of three land formations. The northern section is primarily sandstone, while the two southern sections are primarily fractured granite.

Sandstone forms on the bottom of an ocean, and then, through tectonic action, is sometimes buckled upwards. If it buckles high enough it will fracture, creating a good aquifer. Channel Ridge, at 220-metres elevation, is an example of such a sandstone ridge. However, travel slightly further north to Sun Eagle Drive, at 160 metres, and the buckling is less. Subsequently, while wells in the Channel Ridge area average three to five gallons per minute, along Sun Eagle you may drill down 500 feet and get nothing.

Fractured granite is an excellent aquifer, and the two southern sections of the island rise to 400 to 600 metres. You can drill virtually anywhere in granite and hit a good water supply.

How much water does the average dwelling use? About 120 gallons per day. Since we have accepted rainwater catchment as one measure, let’s look at its math.

To obtain a CRD building permit for a house, using rainwater for water, you require 1,500 square feet of catchment area. Three feet of annual rainfall x 1,500 = 4,500 cubic feet x 6.22 Imperial gallons (IG)/cu.ft. = 27,990 gal/year. Divided by 365 days = 76.68 IG = 92.08 US gallons (the measure of well output) = .06 USG/min equivalent. Thus the maximum water output you can achieve solely through rainwater catchment is just 63/1000ths of a gpm. In other words, the output of a one gpm well is the equivalent to the absolute maximum yield of 15 rainwater catchment systems as described above.

This means, if you accept/support rainwater catchment as a potential water supply, then any well, with storage, which can sustainably produce one gpm, can equally support 15 homes, and a 10 gpm well = 150 homes.

North Salt Spring Waterworks District’s most recent hydrology study on Lake Maxwell indicates about 30 million gallons per year is safely available, over and above our current usage. Using our rainwater example, that is enough for over 1,000 WHUs.

And, for five months of the year, about 80 million gallons of fresh water overflows Lake Maxwell and drains into the ocean. If the level of the lake was raised just six inches, it could capture half the winter runoff (lake area = 106 hectares = 11,409,745 sf x 0.5 = 35,000,000 IG), which would be enough for another 1,000 WHUs.

So, without even mentioning recycling of grey water, there is a massive, available water supply on the island. All that is required is the vision and political willpower to access/utilize it.

Part 5 of the writer’s workforce housing series will look at the other services required, and how those challenges can be met.

Rare coastal temperate Creekside Rainforest permanently protected on Salt Spring Island

Contributed Article
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Rare coastal temperate Creekside Rainforest permanently protected on Salt Spring Island

SUBMITTED BY SALT SPRING ISLAND CONSERVANCY

The Salt Spring Island Conservancy (SSIC) is thrilled to announce that Creekside Rainforest is now protected in perpetuity as the Conservancy’s ninth nature reserve. The acquisition of the 6.3 hectare (15.5 acre) Creekside Rainforest is part of a long-term vision of Salt Spring Island’s conservation community to protect the fresh water, salmon habitat, rare species, imperiled ecosystems, and archaeological and cultural features of this rare area of coastal temperate rainforest. In 2008, the 7.9 hectare (19.5 acre) property adjoining Creekside Rainforest Nature Reserve was protected thanks to a community fundraising effort. Initially held by TLC The Land Conservancy of BC, this land became the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Jarrod’s Grove Nature Reserve in 2015.

Creekside Rainforest Nature Reserve (CRNR), together with Jarrod’s Grove Nature Reserve, represents a unique area of lowland coastal temperate rainforest within the drier forest ecosystems more commonly associated with the Southern Gulf Islands. CRNR’s forested ravine, northerly aspect, and higher than normal rainfall create a cool and moist microclimate that supports a high diversity of plants and animals, including two species – Great blue heron and Northern red-legged frog – that are classified as species of ‘Special Concern’ by Canada’s Species at Risk Act. The property’s cool and moist conditions also create a refugium for species under stress from climate change and help to mitigate the threat of forest fires. Cusheon Creek runs through the ravine, where the streamside habitat is pristine and the continuous undisturbed tree canopy helps maintain cool water temperatures benefitting salmonids swimming upstream to spawning and rearing habitat.

Found within this new nature reserve are two ecosystems that are provincially classified as imperiled, as well as Western redcedar up to 250 years old, enormous Bigleaf maples draped in moss and lichen, and numerous species associated with older rainforests. Now protected, Creekside Rainforest’s high carbon storage and sequestration values will be maintained. The benefits of protecting Creekside Rainforest extend beyond its ecological importance, however. Culturally-modified Western redcedar and archeological deposits recorded nearby indicate use by the Coast Salish people of the ancient village sites in the Cusheon Creek estuary and Beddis Beach area.

“Protecting Western Redcedars that were seedlings 250 years ago makes this a remarkable piece of Canada’s natural history. The Natural Heritage Conservation Program is helping the Government of Canada make progress toward its goal of conserving a quarter of land and water in Canada by 2025, working toward 30 percent of each by 2030. By working with partners such as the Salt Spring Island Conservancy, and with the support of local donors and conservation organizations, we are helping to protect the natural environment in British Columbia and across the country. Protecting land plays a vital role in helping to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and contributes to the recovery of species at risk.” – The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Conservation of Creekside Rainforest was made possible by the Government of Canada through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, part of Canada’s Nature Fund, and the support of local donors and conservation organizations. SSIC is grateful for the generous support of local philanthropist and conservationist, the late Susan Bloom. Hundreds of local donors contributed to the project, and local residents Jean Wilkinson and Julia Grace provided invaluable support by organizing the initial neighborhood fundraising. BC Conservation and Biodiversity Awards and TLC The Land Conservancy of BC were important financial contributors, with TLC also helping to advertise and increase awareness of the project.

SSIC hopes to welcome walkers to the new nature reserve in spring 2023, following completion of trail work and installation of signage. A new trail will loop back to the existing trails, providing hikers with a longer and more varied hike. Access to CRNR will be through the entrance to Jarrod’s Grove Nature Reserve (on Creekside Drive) with a trail map directing walkers to CRNR.

Susan Bloom said of Creekside Rainforest, “We must save this precious jewel.” Thankfully, this jewel has now been saved. As stated by Dr. Penny Barnes, Executive Director of SSIC, “The Creekside Rainforest Nature Reserve stands as a legacy for future generations and demonstrates the shared commitment of the federal Natural Heritage Conservation Program, our generous community and our partner conservation organizations to protecting our beautiful, ecologically fragile island.”

The Salt Spring Island Conservancy (SSIC) is a registered charity established in 1995 whose purpose is to conserve, protect and enhance natural values on Salt Spring Island and its surrounding waters. SSIC currently owns and stewards nine nature reserves (312 hectares (771 acres) total), and works with interested owners to preserve sensitive ecosystems on private land through donation, acquisition, covenants (SSIC holds 17 on 323 hectares (798 acres) total), stewardship agreements (SSIC holds 97 on 569 hectares (1406 acres) total) and land management strategies. SSIC has a strong public education program, educating islanders on local plant and animal species through community presentations, guided nature walks, workshops, articles, newsletters, website, social media, and e-mail news briefs. SSIC’s Stewards in Training school program provides hands-on nature education for up to 700 K-7 Salt Spring Island students annually.

The Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP) is a unique partnership that supports the creation and recognition of protected and conserved areas through the acquisition of private land and private interest in land. To date, the Government of Canada has invested more than $440 million in the Program, which has been matched with more than $870 million in contributions raised by Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the country’s land trust community leading to the protection and conservation of more than 700,000 hectares of ecologically sensitive lands.

To learn more about the Creekside Rainforest Nature Reserve, visit the Salt Spring Island Conservancy website: https://saltspringconservancy.ca. The Conservancy can be contacted via email (info@saltspringconservancy.ca) or phone (250-538-0318).

Viewpoint: Natural and man-made tech EMF not the same

Contributed Article
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Viewpoint: Natural and man-made tech EMF not the same

CHRIS ANDERSON,

for Gulf Islanders for Safe Technology

The cellular industry and some people claim that because we’re exposed to natural electromagnetic fields (EMF) all the time, cell towers’ EMF must be safe.

But whether Earth’s EMF is more powerful than cell tower EMFs is irrelevant and immaterial. We cannot conflate these entirely different phenomena. It’s an apples and oranges comparison. The corporate apologist sector has actively promoted many false arguments as specious, inaccurate and misleading as this one, claiming that non-natural EMF/EMR — electromagnetic fields/radiation from cell towers etc. — must also be okay.

There is absolutely no truthful comparison to be honestly made between the natural radiations to which all living inhabitants on Earth have been exposed forever, and the non-natural, pulsed digital EMR from man-made technologies. Modulated (information-carrying) microwave and radiofrequency (RF) emissions are found nowhere in nature. These two types of EMF are fundamentally different. Earth’s electric and magnetic radiation fields are what we and the entirety of nature depend on for existence. The butterfly and bird travel thousands of miles to and from exact locations guided by the Earth’s geomagnetic field. Likewise, whales and all other creatures orient via Earth’s magnetic field, but are disrupted and harmed when encountering artificial RF fields, which are xenobiotic (unnatural). These different phenomena have absolutely no comparative properties. Assurance of safety of cellular emissions by “captured,” industry-controlled agencies are provably inaccurate. See ehtrust.org/cell-tower-radiation-science/.

Deceptions from industry apologists and their supporters also include likening cell tower emissions, often around 100 or so watts per channel, to a standard light bulb operating at 100 watts of power, thereby implying cell radiations are also no problem. Don’t be fooled, warn scientists. Light bulbs and RF emissions are totally different in the real world. The novel, myriad RF technologies employ ultra-high frequencies, using pulsed digital, modulated radiation which becomes airborne and travels far and is fundamentally different and vastly more harmful than the localized 60-hertz electromagnetic fields of a typical residential power supply and related fixtures.

Yes, residential exposures, depending on specifics and proximity, can be dangerous. But much less so than radiofrequency sources. And at least we can wisely decide to avoid various RF polluters such as cell and cordless phones, Wi-Fi etc., and to locate sleep areas distant from power panels and “smart” meters, among other measures, so as to choose a safer environment for the home. We do have choices with such radiation sources.

However, we are given no choice to continue having healthy home conditions by limiting such volitional exposures when the cellular industry comes calling. Short of bunkering down behind Faraday-shielded walls, windows and roofs, there can be no avoiding significant, genetically altering trespass by the continual myriad emissions at harmful frequencies from these dangerous transmission towers that thousands of studies show cause great physical and psychological harm to people and have horrific adverse effects also on the natural world, as stated so well by the groups opposing the location of the dangerous Rogers transmission tower on Salt Spring.

Regarding adverse health effects and significant losses in property values, the informed and conscientious opponents of these Rogers transmission arrays are well informed as to the severe threat they face from these latest corporate bullies. This is especially true given the imminent arrival of the most dangerous form ever of telecom technologies — namely 5G. Opponents of the Channel Ridge tower are fighting for their absolute right to a healthy life, which must be allowed to take precedence over corporate profit-taking at their expense.

Film genre explored in next Viva Chorale concert

Robb Magley
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Film genre explored in next Viva Chorale concert

One might expect Viva Chorale director Caroni Young to laugh off a seemingly boilerplate question about how she comes up with program ideas for the Salt Spring-based choir.  

And the laugh comes — but there’s a typically thoughtful answer right behind it. Under Young’s direction, Viva Chorale’s concerts have consistently surprised audiences with innovative selections that encompass broader themes. The upcoming performance is no exception; Young said the choir was in its final weeks of rehearsal for Spaghetti Western, a two-act concert that will delight music lovers even as it gently encourages an examination of how Western cinema depicted Indigenous culture. 

“I think it was the idea of pairing two things that are contrasting yet related through this movie genre that sort of sparked my interest,” said Young. “In terms of a beautiful classical Italian repertoire, but then looking for something playful that would highlight the ‘Western’ side.” 

Viva Chorale has performed themes from Western movies over the years; Young said those sorts of pieces showcased the various aspects of the choir singers’ skill sets. But the upcoming performance will split the concert into two halves: classical music from Italy first, then selections from Westerns, with surprising correlations. 

The idea of the Spaghetti Western, according to Young — cowboy-genre films produced in Italy, using mostly Italian actors and crew and ultimately dubbed into English for U.S. and Canadian audiences — was itself a sort of subversion of expectations. 

“It took the American or European model of cinematography — even the way they would do close-ups on certain characters’ faces at particular times — and try to be something like the American version, but it was just not quite as you would expect it to be,” said Young. “So for this concert, it sort of became the underlying theme — that things aren’t always as they appear.” 

Young said a lot of Viva Chorale’s repertoire has some sort of link to that idea, and a recent documentary she had watched while working on the program had brought the “Spaghetti Western” notion into focus — how American filmmakers shaped a lot of the stereotypes and misconceptions carried into today about Indigenous culture, through how they were represented in the films. 

“So part of the program is speaking to that concept,” said Young. “There’s that playfulness, but with the underlying intent of hopefully asking the audience to reflect on how our perceptions have been changed and shifted by Hollywood as well.” 

Spaghetti Western is at ArtSpring on Saturday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 23 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available through ArtSpring.

Fulford Water Service Commission blasts CRD; one member resigns

Gail Sjuberg
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Fulford Water Service Commission blasts CRD; one member resigns

Capital Regional District (CRD) staff got an earful from Fulford Water Service Commission (FWSC) members when the group met on Friday, April 14 to discuss a consultant’s draft technical report about replacing aging water district infrastructure.

Tony Maude, who has volunteered as a commissioner for 12 years, even resigned his position as a result of the report’s contents, which he and his colleagues said did not reflect the commission’s wishes, repeating a process that never seems to change.

“It’s an extremely frustrating exercise,” he said, about being a commissioner.

The commission is mandated to serve the people who use the water system, he said, “But regardless of what decisions we make, and what we decide to do, there seems to be a disregard within the CRD, since we don’t have control. So what happens is we recommend, we ask, we suggest. Things don’t happen. Other things do happen.”

Maude said he would rather spend his time working to change the system to something that gives real control to commissions.

From the commissioners’ point of view, the McElhanney engineering firm should have received input from them before creating the Fulford Water: AC Watermain Replacement report. In addition to what appear to be data and priority inconsistencies, the document includes references to adding the Vortex property to the district and achieving “fire flow” volumes. It also provides a strategy for replacing 4.1 kilometres of asbestos cement (AC) pipe installed in the 1970s and other improvements such as water meters. The project charter for the report, which the commission did approve, specifically excluded fire flow considerations.

FWSC commissioners said they have previously asked the CRD for gradual replacement of lines to be considered, beginning with the most critical areas. They have also requested use of “dynamic testing” to determine the true state of the water lines.

Commission chair Carole Eyles said it was ridiculous to include fire flow estimates in any report, recalling that giving fire protection to ratepayers’ properties was one of a few things promised through the initial CRD borrowing referendum passed in 2004 that did not come to fruition. Water meters was another.

“We don’t have [fire protection-capable flows], in spite of the fact that we approved a referendum that would give us that,” she said.

Eyles also said that the district has not had leak issues with the supply line, which McElhanney recommends be replaced as a top priority.

“But we have had other issues that don’t seem to be indicated here, or taken into account in terms of priority.”

Commissioners were also offended by the report’s references to the Vortex development, noting that existing FWSC ratepayers should not be contributing to studies that facilitate a private venture currently outside their district.

Salt Spring’s senior CRD manager Karla Campbell said the commission didn’t pay for the Vortex information as McElhanney is also doing work for the Vortex owners.

“So they probably share that information they have internally to kind of understand what the implications were. So it wasn’t any cost to the commission,” she said.

CRD engineer Dean Olafson also stated the fire flow information “was essentially free information,” but when pressed by Maude he agreed there would have been “a small incremental charge” to include it.

From an engineering standpoint Olafson said he disagreed with use of dynamic or destruction testing and incremental replacement of the lines.

“When asbestos cement pipe fails, it does not develop a pinhole leak. It fails catastrophically. It just starts leaking and then you’ve got an emergency repair. So the idea behind this program is to do it in a preventative manner.”

He said the report’s recommended process would cost less than putting Band-aids on the system through emergency repairs over many years.

Campbell stressed that commission feedback would be provided to the consultant.

“This is what this meeting is for. There’s no decision that has to be made. This is not finalized. It’s completely at a draft stage. And that’s why we paused it here, to consult with you.”

But commissioner Alan Martin pointed out that it was ludicrous to have paid a consultant to include information that was not requested, and then pay them again to take it out.

“We’ve been saying the same things: communication has been awful, as was told to us by other commissions in relation to CRD communication; the things that we ask for don’t get done, and things that we don’t ask for are forced on us. And we have to pay for all of it,” said Martin.

The owners of Fulford district’s approximately 100 ratepaying properties must cover all costs of commission projects, unless grants or gas tax monies can be acquired for a specific purpose.

Olafson said he didn’t know the exact cost of the McElhanney report but that it was definitely much less than the $90,000 budgeted in the FWSC capital plan.

Friday’s meeting concluded with the commission requesting a meeting via Zoom to discuss the report with McElhanney engineers, which will also be paid for from the FWSC budget.

Loose BC Ferries vessel causes Route 4 delay

Robb Magley
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Loose BC Ferries vessel causes Route 4 delay

A bit of Sunday night excitement sent a BC Ferries crew at Fulford Harbour scrambling to secure lines for a retired vessel that came loose from its moorings.

The 7:50 p.m. sailing of the Skeena Queen from Fulford to Swartz Bay was delayed nearly an hour, according to BC Ferries, as that ship’s crew raced to secure the nearby Powell River Queen.

“The stern tie-up line on the Powell River Queen parted last night,” said BC Ferries public affairs executive director Deborah Marshall. “The crew on the Skeena Queen launched the rescue boat, and re-secured two stern lines.”

The bow line remained secure at all times, according to Marshall, who added there was thankfully no damage to the ferry or any other vessels in the area. The root cause of the incident, she said, was a worn line on the ship.

The Powell River Queen retired after 58 years of service Jan. 17, the last 32 of which were spent serving Quadra Island. Built in 1965, the 84-metre, 61-vehicle ferry was the oldest vessel in BC Ferries’ fleet, and was replaced by two new Island Class diesel-electric hybrid ships, the Island Nagalis and Island K’ulut’a — which will operate as fully electric vessels when charging infrastructure is complete.

Auction site IronPlanet showed the ferry for sale shortly after it was retired, with a high bid of $126,000; no purchase was disclosed, and BC Ferries officials said Monday it was still currently for sale.

The Powell River Queen has been at Fulford Harbour’s extra berth since March 10.

UNGER, Beverly Shirley Kerness

Driftwood Obituary
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UNGER, Beverly Shirley Kerness

Beverly Shirley Kerness Unger
1924 ~ 2023

Beverly Shirley Kerness Unger, 98, of Westbury New York, Salt Spring Island and Victoria British Columbia, La Jolla California and Portland Oregon, devoted and beloved wife of Robert (Bob) Samuel Unger for 63 years and loving mother of Jane Unger, Martha Rothstein, Thomas Unger and Sally Unger. Born June 13, 1924 and died April 1, 2023.

Dubbed “Bevy Bubbles” in her youth, her effervescent personality continued to justify that moniker. Growing up in Fall River, Massachusetts to Sara and Morris Kerness, both immigrants from Kiev, Beverly was the second of four daughters to finish college when she graduated from Simmons College in 1944. She also earned a Master’s degree in social work at Columbia University. She worked as a social worker for the Red Cross and the Jewish Board of Family and Child Services before earning certification to practice as a psychiatric social worker. Resourcefulness could have been her middle name. She co-founded the Westbury Co-Op Nursery School when she couldn’t find one to her liking for her first-born.

Pioneer could have been another middle name. She and her husband emigrated to Salt Spring Island in B.C., Canada in 1977 where she literally turned apples into apple cider when she helped create Phoenix Orchards. She helped found the Core Inn on Salt Spring, a non-profit center that provides child and family services. Bev and Bob spent many winters in La Jolla to escape the Pacific Northwest weather. After moving to Victoria, she supported the Victoria Symphony and its music composition program for youth. The symphony dedicated its April 15 concert to her. Her support of the symphony and other community organizations resulted in her receiving a Valued Elder Recognition Award in 2020 from the Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health in Victoria. A true lover of all the arts and literature, she belonged to multiple book groups wherever she lived and attended the symphony, opera, and theatre until the end of her days.

Bev and Bob loved travel and made friends wherever they went. She leaves behind dear friends of all ages and nations. She was preceded in death by Bob and her four siblings. She is survived by her four children, eight grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Victoria Symphony, the Beverly Kerness Unger Scholarship Fund (c/o Trustees of FR HS Alumni Scholarships, PO Box 2519, Fall River, MA, 02722-2519), or the Salt Spring Island Foundation’s Unger Family Fund for Children and Their Mothers and Senior Women in Need (online at ssifoundation.ca/support-a-cause/).

“And death shall have no dominion.”

HEALEY, Jennifer

Driftwood Obituary
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HEALEY, Jennifer

Jennifer Healey, 76, of Salt Spring Island, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2023 with family at her side. Jennifer was curious, courageous, and compassionate. She was a caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend who is deeply loved and will be greatly missed. She was dedicated to living a life that honoured and protected the natural world. Details regarding a gathering to celebrate Jennifer will follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Salt Spring Island Conservancy in Jennifer’s name.

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