Feb. 15 1915 – Jan. 16 2012

Elizabeth (Betty) Gibson was born in Clinton Township, Lincoln County, Ontario on February 5, 1915, and passed away at the age of 96 on January 16, 2012 at Greenwoods Home in Ganges, Salt Spring Island, BC. She is survived by her husband Andrew, by their daughter Molly Van Poelgeest, and by grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Betty was a Registered Nurse in Ontario, and practiced professionally in many locations in Canada and the U.S.A. until retiring to Salt Spring Island in 1984.

Betty had been an accomplished equestrienne as a young woman, and remained interested all of her life. Following retirement her home interests were principally gardens, flowers and birds, while beyond the home she was active in different organizations devoted to the betterment of society locally and beyond. She was one of the first members of The Raging Grannies, who, by means of song, satire and humour, directed a critical eye on genetic manipulation, certain forestry and fisheries practices, and on many other threats to our society.

Betty was one of the founding members of OGIFA, the Ometepe-Gulf Islands Friendship Association, devoted to helping the people of Nicaragua, principally on Ometepe Island, by importing their coffee at the Fair Trade price, and using the proceeds from sales here to finance many much-needed improvements in their lives, such as schools, roads, water lines, and a small loans bank for women’s enterprises. Betty visited Nicaragua many times, proving, in her seventies, that she could handle a spirited horse on the challenging back-country roads.

We would like to express our grateful appreciation for the superb care that Betty has received during this time and for the last twenty five years from Dr. Janet McPhail. We also thank the staff of Greenwoods Care Home, whose kindly and efficient professionalism was very important to Betty and to her family during the final months of her life.

There will be a celebration of her life at her home on Saturday, February 18, 1 to 3 p.m.

After a long and very courageous battle with ovarian cancer, Pam conceded the fight January 13th.  Born October 25, 1940 and raised on Pender Island Pam is predeceased by her parents Madge and Don Cousineau, her brother and sister-in-law Jim and Peggy Cousineau and sister Phyllis Chandler.  Pam is survived by her husband of 49 years, Bob, their children, Mike (Trish) and Trish (Glenn), 6 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.  Pam will be remembered for putting family first, her love of boating and the Gulf Islands. No service by request.

After a long and very courageous battle with ovarian cancer, Pam conceded the fight January 13th.  Born October 25, 1940 and raised on Pender Island Pam is predeceased by her parents Madge and Don Cousineau, her brother and sister-in-law Jim and Peggy Cousineau and sister Phyllis Chandler.  Pam is survived by her husband of 49 years, Bob, their children, Mike (Trish) and Trish (Glenn), 6 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.  Pam will be remembered for putting family first, her love of boating and the Gulf Islands. No service by request.

August 4, 1920 – January 12, 2012

Predeceased by her brother Andy and great-grandson Aaron.

Survivied by her husband William Robert Hickman

and her dear friend Robert Emiry.

Loving Mother to Andy (Caro), Don (Sheri), & Kathryn Ann

Loving Grandmother to Sheralin, Ted, Jill and Sonya

Loving Great-grandmother to Tanner, Stormey, Christopher, Justice, Paige, Jack and Levi.

Bettie taught elementary school for a short time before marrying and travelling extensively with her diplomat husband, living in many countries to which they were posted. Later, she worked as a secretary. Because of her love and enthusiasm for new languages, customs, cultures and people she has friends all around the world. She always enjoyed taking part in live theatre, and after retirement became a model and appeared in several movies shot in Vancouver. The embodiment of charm and good manners herself, she had a repertoire of voices she used to animate dolls and stuffed toys. Much to the delight of her audience, she often used this talent as an outlet for an alter-ego she was far too genteel to express in person.

Regal, charming and open-minded, Bettie loved to laugh. Her joy for life, people and adventure could not be contained. Her positive outlook continued even in her last hours when she was planning for another trip to Salt Spring. Although, she lived in West Vancouver, she loved the Island and made many friends here while visiting family. She was a national treasure, and we feel privileged to have been part of her life. We will miss her generous spirit and unconditional love.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 4480 Oak St., Vancouver.

Beloved mother of Andy (Caroline), Donald (Sheri). Grandmother of Sonya and great grandmother of Stormey and Paige. Betty faced death with the same courage, strength and grace with which she faced life.

“Death has made His darkness beautiful with thee.”

Luceo Non Uro

Doreen ‘Mary’ Dalton died?on January 7 in the Abbotsford Regional Hospital,?surrounded with love from her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A beautiful, strong and vibrant person, a successful professional woman and a devoted mother, Mary was the loving wife and companion of Bob Dalton who pre-deceased her in 2003. Together they had lived a remarkable and exciting life. After nursing in war-torn England, Mary worked with Bob to run a number of successful small businesses including an antique shop on London’s famous Portobello Road and a restaurant and small hotel in the seaside city of Hastings on the south coast of England. In 1956, with three children, Keith, John and Anne, Mary joined Bob in the film business in Ottawa on what they saw as the first step to completing their dream of gradually traveling around the world. Mary capped a successful career in Toronto as both a Captain in Toronto Service Battalion and as Advertising Manager for Sears Canada catalogue. She and Bob then fulfilled their wish to travel around the world in a globe-trotting retirement spanning almost three decades. She will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren Aron, (Kim), Zoe, (Hamilcar) and Theana, and by her great-grandchildren Kya, Bailey, Joaquim and Gilles, as well as Jane.

In respect of Mary’s wishes, her family will re-gather in the spring to celebrate her life and to spread her ashes over the ocean. From her old friends Mary would enjoy a toast and a “remember when.”. Her favourite charity was Doctors Without Borders.

Thanks to the doctors and Nurses of Abbotsford Regional Hospital for their compassionate care

and help in giving Mary a peaceful end

to a well-lived life.

September 30, 1919 to

January 5, 2012

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our Dad, Grandpa and Great Grandpa. Dad passed away peacefully at his home at Nanaimo Seniors Village in Nanaimo, BC at the age of 92. Dad was predeceased by his wife Joan in March 2011. He will be forever remembered by his children Carol, Nancy (Ken), Doug, Nori (Jeff), and Ken Jr. (Pam); stepchildren Julie ( (Linc), Perry (Val), and Jennifer (Shawn); grandchildren Kim, Matthew (Miranda), Nathan (Chrystal), Natane (Clint), Natalie (Ron), Nadine, Randi-Leigh (James), Graham, Dave, Byron, Tristan, Madison, Chloe and Beatrix; 10 great grandchildren.

Dad was born in 1919 in Victoria BC and moved to Ladner as a young boy of 5 after the death of his father. In later years he wore many different hats. He was a teacher and principal, race horse owner, restaurateur, coach, and cook on his son-in-law’s seine boat. After graduation from Normal School he joined the Army Medical Corp and while overseas was injured. Upon his return he married Phyllis Allen and they moved to Trail where their 5 were born. He taught school there until 1956 and then moved to Richmond where he was employed by the Richmond School Board as a teacher. He retired from his final position as Principal of Hugh McRoberts in 1974. He always had a love for teaching and often referred to his students as “his kids”. He was very active in all sports, coaching as well as playing, but lacrosse was always his favorite. At the age of 16 he played lacrosse with the New West Salmonbellies, and after the war he played for the Vancouver Burrards. He was instrumental in building lacrosse teams in Trail and Delta and as a result was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame as a Builder, an honour of which he was very proud. After his retirement he moved to Salt Spring Island where he met his wife Joan. They were married in 1979 and eventually moved to Victoria BC where they lived until Joan’s passing. We wish to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at the Nanaimo Seniors Village for all the wonderful care that they gave our dad right up to the end. Dad requested no funeral service but we will still say goodbye at a later date.

Love you forever.