November 4, 1916 to June 15, 2010

Joanna Bagwell was born in Ohio. By the age of eight she had moved to Madrid, Spain, with her family, where her father worked for International Telephone and Telegraph. Because she attended a French lycée in Madrid, she was fluent in English, French, and Spanish throughout her life. She returned to the United States to attend Smith College, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa. Her studies included a year at the Sorbonne in Paris. In 1939 she married Joseph Starke. They lived for nearly 40 years in Pound Ridge, New York, where they raised their son Larry and daughter Linda. Joanna worked in various publishing ventures in New York during this time. She was very active in the peace movement for many years.

In 1987 they moved to Vancouver to be near their son and his family. After Joe’s passing in 1993, Joanna lived at Crofton Manor in Vancouver. Along with Larry and his wife, Roberta, she moved to Salt Spring Island in 2002 and resided at the Extended Care Unit at Lady Minto Hospital until her death. She is survived by Larry and Roberta Starke, Linda Starke of Washington, DC, grandchildren Tom (Laure-Elaine), Justine Cara, and Sean, and great-granddaughter Lilah Sage.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the kindness, compassion, and excellent care provided by every staff member of the Extended Care Unit at Lady Minto. They helped Joanna and the family so much in the last years of her life.

June 7, 1922 – June 11, 2010

After a joyful 88th birthday celebration with friends and family, Bill passed away at Lady Minto Hopital with his loved ones at his side.

Bill moved to Salt Spring in 2006 with his beloved wife Pat. They made their home at Heritage Place where they were welcomed by that fun loving and caring community.

Bill grew up in Preston, Ontario and lived in Toronto, Winnipeg, and Oakville. He joined the RAF moments after his 18th birthday and was the proud recipient of the Burma Star. Bill graduated from University of Toronto, Victoria College. He spent most of his working life with Confederation Life and began a new and successful career in his fifty’s as an annuity broker. Bill loved being self employed and enjoyed traveling with Pat and their many friends.

Bill was a volunteer driver for the Red Cross, delivered Meals on Wheels, and was a committed and giving volunteer for many organizations and service clubs.

Bill adored visiting children Peter, Janet and Laura and his eight grandchildren. He was truly interested and supportive of their achievements and activities.

In his short time on Salt Spring, Bill made an impression on our community. His optimism and enthusiasm for life was unbridled and as a result he was welcomed to our community with open arms. He was fiercely proud of his family and was well known for his generosity and support. He played golf, sang in the Lost Chords and enjoyed his membership in the Probis group. Bill started “Movie Night” at Heritage Place and taught a new generation his love of bridge.

Whether it was at one of his favorite restaurants, an outing at ArtSpring, or a visit to the doctor’s office, Bill enthusiastically remarked how he was living in the best place in Canada: Salt Spring Island. He was well loved and appreciated and we will miss him dearly.

The Hoag McColl family would like to thank the medical community of for their care and support, the folks at Heritage Place, and the many friends who supported Bill and our family.

A Memorial Service will be held

Saturday June 26

1-3 pm at

Arbutus House

Heritage Place

“Always leave the party while you’re still having fun”

(HOWARD) DENNIS Hunter passed away suddenly on June 11, 2010. Dennis was recently predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Diane, and is survived by his daughter Cathy, son Doug and wife Sandra, grandsons Clayton and Ryan and sister Arlene (Richards). Born in Vancouver in 1935, Dennis married his beloved Diane and settled in Richmond in 1958 where they spent many happy years raising their family. An airline captain who flew equipment ranging from the DC3 to the 747, Dennis was frequently quoted as saying that there was never a day when he didn’t enjoy going to work, and was often amazed that he was paid to do what he loved. After a career spanning 35 years with Canadian Airlines, Dennis moved with Diane to their dream home on Saltspring Island where they enjoyed their retirement in an idyllic ocean side setting. Den was an avid angler, hunter and boater, whose experiences were always enriched when he was able to share them with his family. He instilled his love of the outdoors in his kids who have many fond memories of cruising and fishing adventures in Desolation Sound and beyond aboard the ‘Snowbird’. Two of Dennis’ proudest outdoor achievements were the acquisition of a Boone and Crockett hunting record, and clinching first place in the 2005 Fawn Lake BC fishing derby. No hunting or fishing accomplishment would rival the arrival of Den’s long anticipated grandkids however, who quickly commandeered the soft spot he held for children. Dennis’ many wonderful friends, family members and others will remember him as a gentle and generous man, with an easy smile and a positive and pragmatic outlook on life. Those that he worked with came to expect fairness and respect; values that were also afforded to those he mentored during the years that he volunteered with the BC Borstal Association. To his wife, Dennis was a devoted husband who made a habit of placing her interests above his, and who loved her like no other. To his children, he was a patient, considerate father and role model who was quick to provide support and encouragement, and who is dearly missed. Tight Lines Dad. Donations to Lady Minto Hospital Foundation are greatly appreciated.

With sadness we announce the sudden unexpected death of Mark Allan Baker in Chicago, 6 days after his 30th birthday, on June 2, 2010. The funeral was held in Chicago on June 8th. Left to mourn was grandma Shelagh Tulloch, mother Mary-Anne LeBlanc, step-father Malcolm Legg, siblings Shelagh, David, Launi, Christina, nephew Austin & daughter Camille.

January 1, 1941 – May 19, 2010

With sadness, we announce the death of Neil Garnett Burton at the age of 69 at Lady Minto Hospital, Salt Spring Island, B.C. after a long battle with cancer.

Neil had a life-long passion for the history and culture of China. He lived and worked in China and Japan as a translator and teacher for many years before returning to Canada to live on Salt Spring Island. He was equally passionate about issues of social justice and endeavored to effect change.

He leaves behind four children: Barbara Burton Arnett (Chris) of S.S.I., James Burton (Xiang) of S.S.I., Emily Zhanje (William) of Yokohama, Japan, and Dawn Burton of Osaka,Japan. He also leaves four grandchildren; John, Carl, Zoe, and Zachary as well as siblings; Donald, Marybeth, Nancy and many dear cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He will be missed by many friends especially for his congenial and stimulating gatherings.

Thank-you to Dr. Reznick and the home-care and hospital nurses who participated in his care.

A special thank-you to Neil’s friend, Brian Smallshaw for his constant care and attention.

No funeral by request.

“Once all struggles are grasped,

miracles are possible.”

PAUL SAUNDERS

July 3, 1924 to

May 17, 2010

  Paul, son of John Robert Saunders and Laure Marie Louise Pirnay, was born in Buenos Aires and raised in Belgium. At the outbreak of WWII, he went to Britain where he became a quality-control inspector at a Mosquito Aircraft factory and also served in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.

  After the war, he immigrated to Canada and moved to Toronto, Ontario. In 1952 Paul met Margaret at a party and as the saying goes, fell in love. They were married and raised two daughters, Anne and Patrice. It was in Toronto that he started his career in sales. Eventually his interest in real estate led him to become a Realtor. Later, he held a position as a Real Estate Consultant for a company called Paramount.

  Paul’s many pastimes which were shared with his family included sailing; fishing; building boats, furniture, and buildings; playing chess; tinkering with radios, machinery and appliances; fabricating all-terrain vehicles and taking photographs-both still and movie. His interests greatly varied. Reading was a great passion; history was a favourite subject; as well he instilled in his children his abiding love for nature. Other cultures fascinated him, in particular he was interested with the First Nations Peoples and their culture.

  Paul was fluent in French, had some Portuguese and a little Italian as well. He absolutely loved Classical music and was fond of dogs. It was hard to keep up with him at times because he had so many interests, but he was a lot of fun as well.

  It was in the early 1980’s when he and Marg first became acquainted with Salt Spring Island and were so enchanted with it that they moved and built a home here. Paul quickly became a member of Salt Spring Island sailing club. He and Marg enjoyed the wonderful lifestyle on the Island-fishing, sailing, enjoying the fantastic sunshine and hunting shellfish.

  As a husband and father, he was outstanding in his loyalty and kindness to his family. His advice was sound. Always ready with a joke, his sense of humour was keen and his tales of his early days in sales or experiences with government officials were hilarious.

  As members of his family, we are very proud of him, his loyalty to us and to his country.

  Recently, Paul passed away at Lady Minto Hospital and a private memorial was held.

  We miss him very much.

Paul’s family

(nee Hett)

1922 – 2010′

On the evening of 13 May after a short illness in St. Albert, Alberta knowing her beloved new foals were safely established and the promise of summer greening the high pasture. Diana leaves her children Heather Richmond, (George) John Palmer, Diana Palmer (Andrew McBarnet) and Ann Campbell (Robert). Diana was predeceased by her husband of 64 years Dr. John Palmer in 2006 and daughter Susan in 2008.

Diana was born and raised on her family’s ranch at Heffley Creek, B.C. Daughter to Phyllis and Ross Hett. Her great sense of humor and easy grace helped to create wonderful memories of ranch life with brothers Martyn, David and Ross Hett .

Married in 1942, Diana and John lived in Montreal for forty years where she led a busy life raising her children, volunteering for church and community and as always finding time to ride horses.

In 1985 Diana returned to her beloved west creating a new home on Salt Spring Island, B.C. where she was the focal point for many visits from family, friends and especially her grandchildren, Diana, Ian and John Richmond, Mathew and Jessica Miller, Madelaine, Katharine and Jane Campbell. Salt Spring was the catalyst not only for her creative rug hooking but also where she penned her family history in 1994.

Sincere thanks to the staff at both River Ridge Seniors Community and Citadel Care for their dedicated care and compassion. A celebration of Diana’s life will be held at 11am on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at the Connelly McKinley St. Albert Chapel, 9 Muir Drive, St Albert, Alberta. T8N 1G1 Tel. 780 458-2222

Internment to be held at a later date on Salt Spring Island. In lieu of flowers please consider a gift to your local humane society or the charity of your choosing.

How dear to my heart wherever I roam

Are the ties of childhood and home sweet home.