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.

June 3, 1936 – February 10, 2012

It is with deep sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Wolfgang in Calgary last Friday.  He will be lovingly remembered and missed by his wife Brigitte, children Koko (Rob), Markus (Charlene), and Kara, grandchildren Lukas, Liam, Logan, Kristof, Max and Mati, and friends in Calgary and on Salt Spring. Wolfgang’s residential design achievements over the last 50 years enriched the lives of many. Energy

efficiency and sustainability increasingly motivated the direction of his work. He had a particular passion for life on Salt Spring, where he and Brigitte lived on and off since 1980, enjoying sailing, tennis, chess, and building.

A celebration of his life will be held in

Calgary on February 21; for details contact

the family at wenzelw@telus.net.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Habitat for Humanity, via habitatvictoria.com

Ruth passed away on February 9th, 2012.  Before she passed away she wrote the following message:

My husband, Brian Watson, has been my own personal angel — constantly cheerful and giving. 

My loving son, Day Kirby, has kept me grounded, especially when the strong drugs I was taking threatened to drive me to crazy town and leave me there.

Although I am usually awkward around medical people, I have enjoyed the company of Dr. Bob Crossland and Nurse Sue Banks who were full of information and, especially, warmth. 

Marnee treated me to an exciting bucket list weekend.  Elena made me a very special video. 

The girls took me to Duncan for one of our silly laughing trips.

I would love to list all the other people who helped me deal wtih cancer, but that would be too many, so instead I will simply say — thank you everybody.

A celebration of her life will take place at 2-5pm on Saturday, February 18th at the Saltspring Island Golf and Country Club. In lieu of flowers,

please place donations to the Red Cross.

September 18, 1916 – February 5, 2012

My dear mother Margaret left us on February 5th at the age of 95 surrounded by her loving family.  She moved to Salt Spring from Thunder Bay, Ontario to live with us in 2003. For the past 5 years Mom resided at the ECU of Lady Minto Hosptial where she was cared for by the loving staff.  

She will be missed for her brilliant honesty, strength of character, wit and courage. She will always be our Nana Banana, will always be in our hearts reminding us to do our best and will always be our guiding light.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband Ross Gardiner Stafford in 1974.

She leaves behind her daughter Jane (Grant) and grandsons Eben, Hugh and Daniel of Salt Spring Island  and her son Earl (Shirley) and grandchildren, Jennifer, Ava, Paul and David of Winnipeg.

A gathering to celebrate her life will be held in Thunder Bay at a later date.