Glenn passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 2nd at Vancouver General Hospital, at the age of 89. Glenn was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Frances (2009), and his sister Jean Roma Whitelaw (1927). He is survived by his daughter Susan (Don), his sons Robert (Catherine) and Bill, and grandchildren Katie, Lindsay, Will and Olivia.

Glenn was born in Vancouver on November 29, 1921 and, apart from a brief stint as a teenager in California, he spent his entire life in Vancouver and on Salt Spring Island. He attended Prince of Wales High School, Point Grey High School and graduated from Hollywood High School in Los Angeles before moving on to the University of British Columbia to study Commerce and Law. During his undergraduate years, Glenn trained as an officer reserve while completing his studies. Upon graduation, he began training in a mobile artillery regiment of the Canadian Armed Forces. After WWII, Glenn entered the new law school at UBC and was a member of it’s first graduating class in 1948. He went on to practice law in Vancouver for over 40 years, primarily with the firm Robson, Alexander & Guest which later became Alexander, Holburn, Beaudin and Lang.

Outside of work, Glenn had a tremendous passion for racquet sports and was a member of the Vancouver Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club for over 75 years. It was on those courts that Glenn first met Frances. In addition to being an excellent tennis player, he was a tenacious organizer of tennis games who loved the laughs and chatter on the court, and did not finally put down his racquets until he was well into his 80’s. Glenn continued his association with the Canadian Armed Forces as a reservist with The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own), holding the rank of captain.

Glenn loved living on the West Coast and had a long association with Salt Spring Island, spending many vacations there with family and friends. He built a family cottage at Maracaibo on Salt Spring Island in 1982 where he and Frances subsequently spent most of their retirement years. There was no place on earth where Glenn would rather be than on Salt Spring Island.

Many thanks to the medical staff, especially the team of nurses, on the 7th and 10th floors of Centennial Pavilion for making Glenn’s last weeks as comfortable as they could be. No service by request.

Elizabeth (Beth) Amies passed away surrounded by family in her home at Port Washington, North Pender Island. Survived by her husband, Norris, children Ron (Karen), Lorrie (Cecil) and Kari (Rick), Beth will be deeply missed by her family, including the six grandchildren that made her so proud: Ben, James, Joe, Alexander, Mackenzie and Sadie and great-grandson Mason.  Also her dear sister Nora, nephews Mike (Crystal) and Gavin and their family.

Beth embodied the spirit and generousity of her beloved Pender Island: her thoughtfulness, warmth and gentle humour touched everyone who was lucky enough to know her. Her extended family, friends and community are in mourning over the passing of a very special person.  A celebration of Beth’s life will take place at noon on November 12, 2011 at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 4703 Canal Road, Pender Island followed by tea and refreshments.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pender Island Public Cemetery, Box 20, Pender Island, BC, V0N 2M0.

Elma Rubright, a long time resident of Salt Spring Island, passed away peacefully at at her home on September 26, 2011. Elma was predeceased by her father Wayne Robert McMeans, her mother Gladys Elma (nee Curd) McMeans and her brothers Robert and David McMeans.

Elma was instrumental in forming the Literacy Council of Salt Spring Island in Ganges. She was considered by many of her friends, neighbors, and colleagues as one of the island’s ‘favorites’. A gifted painter and a behind-the-scenes supporter of the island’s theatre and performing arts, Elma also enjoyed volunteering with Meals on Wheels and the Mary Hawkins Memorial Library in Ganges.

Born in Michigan in the USA, she is survived by a sister, Ina Donnelly of Reading, PA; a brother Allen (& wife Judy) McMeans of Vanzant, MO; her daughters Mrs. Susan McLeland (& Ron) of Houston, TX and Ms. Diana Smith of Frederick, MD; two granddaughters – Mrs. Amy (& David) Drouin of Portland, OR and Mrs. Katie (& Robert) Ayers of Houston, TX; four grandsons – Brian McLeland of Houston, TX; Tim (& wife Sandy) Mente of Rocky Ridge, MD; Josh (& wife Melinda) Mente of Baltimore, MD; and Chris (& wife Barbara) Mente of New Milford, CT and by three great granddaughters : Taylar Beckett, age 21; Madison Mente and Marley Mente, ages 6 & 3; and by a great grandson “C.J” Mente, age 16.

Elma had a keen intellect, great wit, and a terrific sense of humor which she shared with her many, many friends and acquaintances. Elma’s infectious sense of adventure will continue to inspire her family in the years to come. She loved the sea and often said her happiest years were spent on Salt Spring. She will be greatly missed.

OLIVER R. STEWART

September 16, 1924

to September 16, 2011

Of Salt Spring Island, Oliver (‘Stew’, ‘Ollie’) was born in Blenheim Ontario. He served in the RCAF during World War II, enjoyed a long successful management career in sales and marketing, was an avid golfer and very much enjoyed his motor scooter late in life. He was a vibrant man, enjoyed life and took on his challenges with great strength of character and dignity. He will be sadly missed by his recent partner and first wife Mildred Young, his children Brenda (Rod) Scotvold, Budd Stewart, Michael (Louise) Stewart, and Susan (Doug) Pugh, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Oliver is predeceased by his second wife Barbara.

There will be no service at Oliver’s request.

It breaks my heart to let you know of the passing of my husband.

Steven Leigh Stevenson

March 4, 1963 – September 13, 2011

Steve was born in Tillsonburg, Ontario. When Steve was young he loved his sports especially hockey and then baseball. Steve did a lot of farming and totally enjoyed it, especially looking after the pigs and chickens to running the farm equipment. Favourite pastime as a teen was gravel running with his brother and the boys. He then moved to Salt Spring Island with his mother Shirley LaFortune. Steve graduated from high school here, meeting many friends that he still has today. Steve was known for the biggest smile, sparkly blue eyes and crazy mustache then and now. Following high school, Steve went to trade school and became the best electrician, plus the man who a lot of people trusted and asked advise on how to solve a weird problem with electrical, plumbing, building to fishing and hunting. Steve, I believed was happiest out on his boat the “Money Sucker”, fishing and crabbing with Andrew, Ronnie and Rod. Steve loved his boy Daniel and Luke too! Steve was the kind of man who would do anything for anybody, just ‘cause, from changing a light bulb to putting the extra wire in for the future hot tub for free, to giving a complete stranger his last $40.00 and a ride to the ferry.

Steve will be greatly missed by his wife Deb and mom Shirley. Sons, Daniel and Luke. Parents Shirley and Steve LaFortune, Bill and Pam Stevenson. His brother Scott (Andrea, Mathew, Tyler and Spencer) Dean (Vanessa, Zach, Raquel, Luci), sisters Lissa (Jason, Shelbie and Sadie), Shannon (Ken, Tia, Cole, Jada, Kaden) and by his in-laws Dee Hellicar, Adam Hellicar and Katy Luedtke (Jerry, Jerimiah and Nikki).

Thanks to everyone who helped with finding Steve: Ian Marcotte, Andrew Holmes and the Search and Rescue, especially the helicopters. Thanks especially to everyone who helped make Steve’s “Celebration of Life” possible on such short notice: Dayva, Dan, Lisa, Hamish, Rod, Alana, Char, Donna, Katy, Lorraine and Salel. Thanks so much for the community support by lowering the flags at half mast at Mouat’s and the firehall and for the minute of silence at the Fall Fair. Steve would have never known how much he was loved.

The whole family wants to thank all their wonderful friends and this special community for their words of comfort, flowers, cards and support through this tough time.

You will be greatly missed Steve by those who knew you and especially by me your wife of 13 years.

– Deb, love ya truly xoxoxo

Why? That is what we ask. The truth is, we may never be able to know for sure why, but we do know that there is no single “should have done” or “could have done” or “did” or “didn’t do”. That we would have changed that why. All that love could do was done.

Steve Stevenson’s Ontario family and friends we would like to thank Salt Spring Island for the heart warming tribute to Steve. The flags flying at half-mast, the moment of silence at the fair, the inspiring messages shared at his celebration of life helps us cope with our loss. We knew the kind of person Steve was and knowing that everyone around him knew his kindness, his cheerful ways, his work ethic and generous spirit comforts us daily. The pain of his loss is felt across this country and we will always miss Steve but knowing because he was so special he will never be forgotten will carry us through.

Joan Edna Milton

June 30, 1923 –

September 4, 2011

Joan, born in London, was a wartime nurse who cared for her patients with compassion, sensitivity and humour. She enjoyed a brief career as a ball room dancer after the war, but was proud and happy to give up both careers to be a full time mum once her first son was born. In 1957, she immigrated to Ontario with her husband Ron and two sons, Michael and Derrick. Joan and her husband moved to Saltspring in 1991 to be closer to their youngest grand children, Margo and Shayla. Joan was disappointed that she had watched from a distance as her older grandchildren, Jennifer and Robert had grown up. Joan worked for a variety of charitable and community organizations both in England and Canada. Her greatest love was for children, but her love of animals, music, dance, theatre and travel was evident in her varied activities. She was very active in the Scout and Guide organization, setting up many packs and troops on 2 continents, as well as organizing at the provincial level. She was instrumental in creating live theatre in Aurora and was active in many organizations such as Royal Canadian Legion, the Humane Society, the SPCA, Seniors for Seniors, Central Hall, and more. Even at 88 she was still leading a sing-a-long regularly at Greenwoods. Joan?s strong will, never ending curiosity and sense of humour will be missed by all who knew her.

Memorial and Celebration of Joan?s Life

Sunday, September 18, 2:00 pm

at the Harbour House Green Room

(easy wheel chair and walker access via the rear door)