James (Jim)

Christopher Barber

James (Jim) Christopher Barber, affectionately known as “Bruno” among family, died peacefully on Friday May 4, 2012, after a long journey with prostate cancer.

Jim was born in Eastbourne, England, on Oct. 8, 1927, the youngest of 5 children. He lived briefly in France, then his family moved to Jersey, Channel Islands. In 1939, his family moved to Bermuda to escape the impending war.

Jim first attended a boarding school in Eastbourne at the tender age of 8. When his family moved to Bermuda in 1939, he briefly attended a local school, but soon was sent to Trinity College School in Toronto, Canada, for high school. Upon graduation, he continued his post-secondary studies at the University of Toronto, and completed his Degree in Political Science and Economics in 1950. In 1951, he began his Vancouver marine insurance underwriting career and in 1965 he joined Coast Underwriters. Jim was highly respected in the marine insurance industry, named “The Leading Underwriter “ and also earned an Honorary Lifetime Membership of the Association of Marine Underwriters of British Columbia in 1981.

Jim met his wife Ann Hamilton, from Nelson, BC, in a University of Toronto snowbank . When asked recently, he admitted quite humorously they started courting immediately. They married on Sept. 15, 1951, in Nelson, BC. They had 4 children, and raised their family in West Vancouver, BC. Jim worked hard to provide a rich life for his family, timeless summers were spent on Kootenay Lake, and winters were filled with ski trips up Grouse and Whistler Mountains. Their house on St. George’s Cres. in Gleneagles was the gathering spot for family and the irrepressibly fun “English relations”. After their move to Salt Spring, Easter was the big affair with Easter egg hunts and grandchildren in the spring garden. Christmases and Thanksgivings were celebrated with family around their bountiful and delicious table. Jim was preceded in death by his daughter, Suzanne. He is mourned by his family, wife Ann, and children Tony and Ivana (Jackie and Alex), Brian (Thomas, Samantha and Madeline) and Jennifer and Mitch (Pippa, Simon, Daniel and Robyn.) He has one great-grandson, Tallis (Jackie and Ben.)

Jim loved to play soccer while at U of T, and was proudly nicknamed “Twinkle Toes” after scoring 5 goals in one game. He coached boys’ soccer in West Van in the 60s. He was also very involved in the Anglican Church in West Vancouver at both St. Stephen’s then St. Francis-in-the Wood. Dad loved to play “snooker” at the Terminal City Club during his lunch hours, and squash and tennis on weekends, and was at one time the Pacific Northwest’s squash champ. He also loved his garden, growing delicious veggies and beautiful flowers. Jim and Ann both enjoyed skiing, hiking, traveling, reading, entertaining and being entertained. They enjoyed sharing their lives with their furry friends, dogs Timmy, gentle Maggi, wonderful Chelsea, and feisty Penzy.

After semi-retirement in 1987, Jim and Ann moved to Salt Spring Island, where both deepened their involvement with the Anglican Church, and made a whole new group of wonderful friends. Jim was groundskeeper of the new All Saints by the Sea, and helped design the beautiful garden. He also started a lunch tradition at Calvin’s with a group of close Anglican friends. Jim and Ann joined the Trail and Nature Club, where Jim was Chair of the club for some time. He was also a member of 2 local groups, the infamous SSI “Eggheads” where he enjoyed lively conversations of current affairs and politics with interesting company. He also enjoyed John Mills’ private study group.

Jim suffered a debilitating stroke in 2001, but successfully recovered to enjoy life once more, but at a slower tempo. His involvement with sports was a decidedly armchair affair. Tennis and soccer matches, hockey games and the Olympics, took on new importance. In his last weeks, his love of competition remained strong, he could still manage a mean game of Checkers and Rummy. “Twinkle Toes” kept in step with his walker up and down the Lady Minto Hospital corridors right up to his last 2 weeks.

Jim was a study in stoicism, keeping his sense of humour, gentle manners, and love of life intact right up to his last days. We are so proud of him.

We wish to thank all the wonderful committed friends, who made lunches, brought fresh flowers, grapes, beer, newspapers, ice cream and conversation, and provided trips to church, Calvin’s and dinners out, to make his last days so satisfying and meaningful. Also heartfelt thanks to Dr. Woodley, and the wonderful nursing staff at Lady Minto, you all brightened our days.

The service for Jim will be held at All Saints by the Sea Anglican Church on Salt Spring Island, BC, on Friday, May 25th at 2:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, may we suggest donations to the BC Prostate Cancer Foundation or your favorite charity.

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Dorothy Margaret Sloan

Born June 25 1919 in Victoria BC. Passed away peacefully in her sleep May 4th. Dorothy was a long time resident having moved here in 1972. She is pre-deceased by her husband Sy, son Randy, and grandson Gary.  “Dot” was an avid gardener and wasn’t happy unless she had dirt under nails and a fresh carrot to chew on.   Anywhere Dorothy lived soon became a lush garden.  The only enemies Dorothy ever knew were weeds! Dorothy had 6 children, 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, all will miss their “GG”. Dorothy amazed us all in the past year, recovering almost miraculously from a broken hip, she was back playing bingo, Mahjong, and Crib within weeks and could not wait to get back in her garden.  We all thought she would easily make it to 100!  You were a positive influence on all our lives and will be sorely missed, Mom, we love you.  Where ever you are now, may it always be spring, and your garden weed free!  There will be a memorial tea in June. Time and place TBA.

Camille John Schreiner

Many will remember him as, ‘The Barber”, passed away Monday April 30, 2012, surrounded by his family during his last weeks on Salt Spring Island BC at the age of 81.  Camille was born April 7, 1931 in Watson, Saskatchewan to Otto and Eleanor(nee Schlitz) Schreiner.  He had 2 older sisters, Celestine “Sally” and Beatrice.  Camille grew up on the family farm and attended Hat Creek School, grades 1-8, after which he went to work; first on farms driving tractor, hauling grain, threshing and driving fuel truck in the Lake Lenore area.  In the winter, he went to work in sawmills in The Pas, MB and Prince George, BC.  He was a contemplative, quiet, stoic pillar of a man, who always had sound, solid, logical advice and words; a man of few but they were poignant.  He always enjoyed the country life and was a man of many talents and interests. He liked country music, especially the sound of the Dobro.  In his earlier years he had much fun with his cousins playing the fiddle and guitar in a band and getting up to all sorts of shenanigans as good old farm boys do!  Camille met and married his wife, Florence Marie “Flo” Schreiner, in Edmonton AB in 1956.  Soon after, they moved to Fort St. John and had 5 children together.  Camille worked on the oil rigs, as a carpenter and for the local school district as maintenance and boiler man.  In 1968, after attending Mohlor School of Barbering, thus began his 40+ year career in barbering, owning his own shop and being self employed in FSJ and SSI.  The mutual satisfaction & enjoyment was obvious between Camille and his clients, he happily obliged requests into 2012. Camille was a humble, unassuming man who took great pride in his family, career, home and yard.  He was an excellent carpenter and went on to build 5 of the family homes.  He loved living close to nature and frequented the northern woods for his great love of hunting and camping, enjoying numerous road trips; some of his favorites were across Canada and throughout the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Alaska.  His time living in northern BC always held a special place in his heart as being some of the best times of his life!  Content in his own company, Camille had a keen interest in reading, mostly true stories of Canadian pioneers and books on wildlife & nature and kept up with his National Geographic every month. Camille had a unique, sharp, quick dry wit and wily sense of humor which always surprised and was met with great laughter around!  He was a man of immeasurable strength, perseverance and endurance, who always stood by his family.  Camille is survived by, will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 56 years, Flo Schreiner, and 5 children, Colleen, Laura Lynn, Kevin, Rosalind and Cecilliea “Ceci”, 2 stepchildren, Viola and Grant.  13 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.  Camille is predeceased by his parents Otto and Eleanor Schreiner, his sisters and their husbands, Sally and Joe Sterner, Beatrice and Herman Prodahl, as well as other beloved relatives…  The family wishes to thank all the friends and clients for your love and support and to thank the doctors, Lady Minto Hospital staff, home care and hospice for their excellent care, help and compassion.  Camille was a wonderful man of honor and integrity and will be fondly remembered by everyone whom he had contact…  Our father who art in heaven…  A celebration of life will be at a later date.

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DOBELL,

Richard Ravenscroft

Richard Ravenscroft “Dick” Dobell passed away peacefully on April 26, 2012 in South Surrey, B.C. He was born in 1922 in Cheshire, England to parents Alfred Temple and Gladys Dobell. Dick is survived by sons James (Brenda), Peter (Tracy) and grandchildren Michael (Laura), Alison (Bryan), Laura, Charlsy, Tegan and great grandson, Avery. He was predeceased by his first wife Pamela (mother of James and Peter), second wife Vivienne and granddaughter Claire.

Dick immigrated to Canada with Pam and his young family in 1950 and began a long and successful career in the lumber business. Dick was also an avid boater and a member of the West Van Yacht Club for over twenty years. Retiring to Salt Spring Island he spent many happy years involved with the tennis club, beach combing and cultivating his vegetables. He was a true gentleman and we will miss him dearly.

A memorial will be held on Salt Spring Island at a later date. Contact rdobellmemorial@gmail.com for details.

Beatrice Louise Woodward

January 27, 1927 to April 22, 2012

Artist, Gardener, Traveller, Poet, Naturalist, Mother, Grandmother and

Great Grandmother

Louise created a place of beauty at her Salt Spring Island home, where she painted exquisite works of Impressionistic art in oils. She was a gifted painting instructor and taught many students who are now accomplished artists themselves. Louise was heard to quip that her religion was “pillows” and her house was always filled with comfort, hospitality and warmth. She fought fearlessly all her life for her independence, and her friends and family knew that time spent with Louise was always the best of times: meaningful and inspiring. As a child, Louise believed that she could fly – and she was far older than you would think before she grudgingly admitted that her dreams had earthly limits. For 40 years, including this year, she travelled to Mexico for a few winter months, usually alone, and she was the first person we knew to discover each of the beautiful places tourists now take for granted. Just a few weeks ago she was swimming in the ocean, painting local scenes, and striding through the cobblestone streets of a Mexican village. Right up until the recent diagnosis of her sudden illness, she remained a strong and vigorous person with many years of potential still in her; such is the unfairness of things.

Louise loved her garden which provided endless inspiration for her paintings. She had a wonderful green thumb and a passion for native plants. Louise was very content to be her own company, but she was a member of many groups on Salt Spring Island and contributed intelligence and creativity to them all. She is remembered by the Canadian Federation of University Women, the CFUW Book Club, the Perennial Group of the Salt Spring Garden Club, the Shakespeare Reading Group, the Writer’s Group of South Salt Spring Island, and she was a volunteer member of the Senior Peer Counsellors.

Louise held a BA from UBC (Fine Arts Major) and a Fine Arts Diploma from Langara College, as well as pursuing further mastery of painting and drawing from the Victoria College of Art and the Master Painters Workshop in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. She was an accomplished sculptor. Throughout her career, she continued to participate in workshops and seminars in Canada, California, France, and Mexico, as well as teaching painting in France, Mexico and on Salt Spring Island. Her paintings are found in private collections throughout North America as well as in France. There will be a retrospective of her work on Salt Spring at a venue and date to be announced.

Louise was the fifth and youngest child of Beatrice and Eric Wade of Surrey B.C. Her loving family includes her daughter Linda Jean Stanton, her son E.J. (Jack) Woodward, her granddaughters Sarah Louise Stanton (husband Jason Smith), Alisa Jean Stanton and Elizabeth Rose Woodward, her great granddaughter Emma Jean Stanton, her late son-in-law Patrick Stanton, her daughters-in-law Glenda Woodward and Jane McKinnon, her first husband John K. Woodward of Churchill Road on Salt Spring Island, and her long-time partner the late Jay Coulter (survived by his children Margot, Marnie and Mark Coulter). Louise’s sister Bernice Mathews lives in Calgary; Louise has many beloved nieces and nephews throughout Western Canada.

No memorial has yet been planned. Indeed, she specifically asked that no service, funeral or celebration of her life be held. But we expect that those of us who honour the memory of Louise will find a way to gather and remember her many inspiring qualities. In the meantime, thoughts, comments, remembrances, anecdotes and tributes are welcome at www.legacy.com/obituaries/timescolonist.

The family is so grateful for the caring and professional support provided by the home support nurses and home support workers, all of whom were loving, kind, and dedicated.

MORTON, Fred Arthur.

Following a brief illness Art died

peacefully with his family and friends

beside him in Lady Minto Hospital, Salt

Spring Island, B.C., on April 21st, 2012.

Art was born May 9th, 1920 in Rock

Bay Hospital, near Sayward, B.C.

Art was predeceased by his beloved

wife Doris. He is survived by his

brother Ralph, his sisters in law Ruth

and Norma, nieces and nephews.

There will be no service at Art’s request. In lieu of fl owers

may we suggest donations to Salt Spring Island Conservancy,

P.O. Box 722, Ganges, Salt Spring Island, B.C. V8K 2W3, or a

charity of your choice.

Art and his family have been deeply grateful for the exceptional

kindness and dedication of the staff at Lady Minto Hospital and

for many years of care by Dr. Jan MacPhail. We are indebted

to the staff and residents of Meadowbrook for their warm

welcome and support, and to the wonderful friends and home

care who have done so much for him over the years.

A celebration of Art’s life will be held at Meadowbrook, 121

Atkins Road, Ganges at 2pm on Saturday May 26th, 2012.

Elizabeth Mary Lethbridge Kirwin (nee Grigg)

October 26, 1920 – April 20, 2012

Elizabeth passed away peacefully on April 20th at the age of 91.

Elizabeth was born in Montreal, an only child of Richard Louis Grigg and May Armstrong. She spent most of her life in the Eastern Townships, her family farm in Stanstead and summer home on Lake Memphremagog held a special place in her heart.

She married in 1942 and is predeceased by her husband, Bruce Kirwin (2009) and her eldest son, Richard (1973).

Elizabeth will be lovingly remembered by her four children: David (Norah) Harry (Elaine) Jill (Bob) and Jehanne (Tilley). She also leaves 5 grand children, Jennifer, Heather, Katie, Don and Lindsay, 2 great grand children Zoe and William.

Elizabeth was, a “LADY” with a true sense of style, her good taste brought her to Salt Spring in 1980 where she quickly became involved in the community. Golf, bridge, boating, volunteering, and her love of people soon made her many friends, her zest for life continued. Her love of travel took her around the globe, she enjoyed any adventure and was game for anything. You did a great job Mum, we all love you, you will be sadly missed – thank you Mum for being you, you are the best – never to be forgotten.

Special thanks to Dr. Barclay and the wonderful staff at Lady Minto Hospital whose exemplary care and compassion helped our mother through her last months, special mention to the kitchen staff for the delicious food she loved.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday April 29th

from 1pm to 4pm at Jehanne’s, 120 Fairview Road.