Dorinne Mavis Denton

Dorinne Mavis Denton (Koots) died March 13, 2012, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She is remembered as a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who unfailingly supported her family through both good times and bad.

Dorinne was born in Sylvan Lake, Alta. She attended Hollingshead Business College of Alberta in 1952. From 1953-1955 she covered the Prairie provinces, direct selling for Grolier Co. of Vancouver, as well as Book of Knowledge encylopedia. After marrying John Denton from Vancouver she stayed home to attend to her responsibilities as homemaker and mother from 1956 to 1961. Dorinne worked for the Haney Gazette before the family moved to Australia in 1963, where she helped John with his franchise business. The Dentons returned to Canada in 1966 and in 1973 she took the receptionist course at Vancouver Tech. Following that, she helped run Denton Farms Equestrian for more than 30 years.

Dorinne was somewhat of a surrogate mother to the many ‘horsey’ girls and boys who had the privilege of visiting her homes in Southlands in Vancouver and later on Saltspring Island. A consummate hostess, she was always quick to offer coffee, goodies and cheerful counsel. Dorinne and John were heavily involved in the equestrian community in Maple Ridge, Vancouver, Langley and latterly Saltspring Island. They were among the early proponents of developing a homegrown sport horse industry and their broodmares produced many fine competition horses.

She is survived by daughters Laura (David Schmidt) and Lynne (Mark Hughes), grandchildren Robert Cable (Doris) and Patricia Denton, great-grandchildren Lance, Maximo and Roxanna, sister Bonnie, sister-in-law Norma, nieces, a nephew and special longtime friend Desmond Champion, as well as her beloved dog Oreo.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation (palliative care), where Dorinne received such compassionate and loving care in her last days. Special thanks also to Dr. David Woodley, Dr. Crossland, Sue Banks and the Saltspring Ambulance Service.

Pamela Susan

Ellacott

October 12, 1950 –

March 11, 2012

With great sadness I regret

to announce the passing of Pamela Susan Ellacott born October 12, 1950, on March 11/12.

Pam had battled cancer for the last two years and never gave up her positive attitude and her “when I get better” statements.

She leaves behind her love of forty-four years, John, and her children Cynthia and John Jr., as well as her three cherished grandchildren.

A celebration of Pamie’s life will be held later in the Spring.

In Loving Memory of

Jean F. Miller

1923 – 2012

The family of

Jean Miller is

very sad to announce her passing on

March 8, 2012 after a short illness. Known for her grace, generosity, lovely smile and caring manner, Jean will be greatly missed by her family and friends. A service was held last weekend in West Vancouver.

Pack up all my cares and woe

Here I go, singing low

Bye bye. Bye bye.

In loving memory of

Doris Phillips

April 22, 1922 to March 5, 2012

Doris Bennison was born in Cheshire, England on April 22nd, 1922. When she was 18 she went to war, and in 1943 she married her darling Hughie and became Doris Phillips. Soon she discovered her true calling and became Mum. The family moved to Ontario in 1958, and in 1980 settled in Fulford Harbour on Saltspring Island, where they stayed. During all these years Doris worked a special magic on all whose lives she touched, forming bonds of the spirit that will never be broken. Doris broke the bonds of pain on March 5th at Lady Minto Hospital. Now she can be with us all, wherever we may wander.

Heartfelt thanks to the staff at Extended Care and to Fran and Debbie, who learned to love Doris in the hardest times. A celebration of her life will be held in April.

Betty “Jean” Stark

August 1938 – March 2012

Jean was born in Blanaevon, South Wales. She leaves to mourn husband of 44 years Peter, daughters Sarah (J.B.) and grandson Wyatt, and Helen (Kevin). She was predeceased by granddaughter Ashlyn and brother Jim Parker. In England she was a midwife for many years, having delivered 1400 babies. The family then moved from England to Salt Spring in 1981 where they made many friends.

Sincere thanks to the wonderful nursing staff at Lady Minto and especially Dr. Manya Sadouski and Dr. Paula Ryan. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

Jill Shugar

1948 – 2012

Mom lived poetically. Although her last years were troubled and often filled with sorrow, she will be remembered by what she loved. She loved her boys. She loved white shell beaches, hummingbirds and hot baths. She loved beauty, and surrounded herself with sensual things: lush gardens, Gauguin prints and Nag Champa incense. She was worldly, well-read and young at heart. A consummate hostess, she loved throwing dinner parties full of rich food, lively conversation and warm fires. She was spiritual, creative and tirelessly searched for truth and justice. She opened the door of her home and heart to many children besides her own. She worked as a midwife and an educational assistant, but above all she was a devoted mother.

She will be greatly missed by her sons Jude and Seth, her grandchildren Ben, Flynn and Tristan (“We love you Amah!”) and her friends and extended family.

“It is right it should be so:

Man was made for joy and woe;

And when this we rightly know

Through the world we safely go.

Joy and woe are woven fine,

A clothing for the soul divine.

Under every grief and pine

Runs a joy with silken twine.”

– William Blake

A celebration of her life will be held at the barn

on Stowel Lake Farm on Reynold’s Road at

2 p.m. Sunday, March 11th.

In lieu of flowers, please write a fond (or funny)

personal anecdote about mom and bring it

to the celebration.

Phyllis E. Davidson

April 30, 1922 – February 16, 2012

It is with deep sadness we announce the passing, of Phyllis Davidson after a lengthy stay in hospital, just two months shy of her 90th birthday. Born in Swift Current, Sask., Mom left her prairie roots for the west coast in the early 1940’s. In Vancouver life-long friendships were made while attending Sprott-Shaw and later on, at Pinewell Crescent, where Mom and Dad built our family home. A long time resident of Richmond, BC, Phyllis will be remembered as a dear and caring friend who loved to laugh, and as an animal lover, a gifted knitter, seamstress and quilter as well as the baker of perhaps the best scones, pies and cinnamon buns “in the entire world”. After 34 years in the old neighborhood, Mom and Dad left our much loved home for smaller ‘digs’ in Tsawwassen.

Following Dad’s death, Mom, at the age of 80, boldly packed up and moved again to Salt Spring Island where she realized a life long dream – to wake up and have her coffee overlooking the ocean every morning. Once on the island, Grandma’s place continued to be the ‘hub’ for family dinners and celebrations. It was not lost on Phyllis’ children’s friends when growing up, or later, her grandsons that the Davidson’s had dessert with every meal and there was always an endless supply of home baked goodies in reserve (just peek in the freezer, but don’t get caught).

Predeceased by her husband, Everett, sisters: Win, Nora and Margaret and dear friend, Dorothy, she leaves to mourn her children: Ron and Ann Marie and the joys of her life – her grandsons, Keegan, Evan and Christian.

Her family would like to thank Balsam House resident homemaker, Sandi, of Heritage Place, who helped to ease Mom’s transition to living in a senior’s residence with affectionate laughter and for being such a powerful and effective advocate for all the seniors under her watchful eye. We’d also like to acknowledge the dedicated and caring staff of our wonderful island hospital, Lady Minto.

A celebration of Phyllis’ life is planned for Friday, February 24th at 2 p.m. in the Heritage Room of South Arm United Church in Richmond where Mom spent so many happy hours with her quilting group. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lady Minto Hospital or to the Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre.