October 5, 1942 – May 10, 2010

Much loved wife to Dave, mother to Tracey, (Garry) and Dawn, (Max) and grandma to Hayley, Connor, James and Quinton.

Mom has gone onto her next great adventure.

“Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there; I did not die.”

Mary Frye

A gathering of family and friends will be held

at a later date.

July 18, 1936 to May 7, 2010

Diane passed away peacefully and with the immense grace and dignity which she exhibited throughout her life on May 7th, 2010 after a short illness. She leaves behind her husband Dennis, daughter Cathy, son Doug and his wife Sandra, grandsons Clayton and Ryan, and a large group of very fine friends and family, all of whom will miss her very much.

Of Scottish descent, Diane was born in Vancouver, and attended Magee Highschool before settling in Richmond. After raising her family, she retired to Salt Spring Island, where she spent a number of years tending to her lovely garden while listening to ocean waves lapping at the shore, and admiring the beautiful sunsets together with her adoring husband.

Diane was a loving wife, exceptional mother and proud grandmother, whose courage, strength and unwavering regard for others will be remembered always.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation on Salt Spring Island.

(nee Dawson)

Barbara was born on the 17th of September, 1915 and passed away at Greenwoods Care Facility on Salt Spring Island in the early morning hours of April 29, 2010.

Bar, as many were known to call her, was born into the pioneer family of John and Jessie Irvine and spent most of her life on the family homestead, Rose Bank Farm, on Cedar Hill Road in Saanich.  Barbara was proud of her heritage and maintained the family records for generations to come. These will soon find their home at the Saanich Archives.

Barbara was a life long member of St. Aidan’s United Church in Victoria, where she sang in the choir most of her adult years, was an elder and had the honour of turning the sod for the new building.  Up until a few years ago, she was an active, lifetime member of the sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, which brought many dear friends into her life.  Barbara was a very talented pianist and through the years happily volunteered many hours playing for others in care homes and retirement facilities. Barbara spent her life in service to others.

Predeceased by her mother and father, Fred and Irene Dawson, brothers Horace and Irvine Dawson and husband Gilbert, she is survived by her children, Barbara (Strick) Aust, Paul (Heather), Peter (Evelyn), Chris (Rick) Alexander and David (Marie); her grandchildren, Peter, Christy, Andrew #1, Dan, Greg, Jeremy, Maegan, Patrick, Andrew #2 and Katie Brown, and her great-grand children, Larissa, Octavia, Dayton, Ryder, Emily and Callum, her sister, Jean Levis and her nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held for Barbara on Saturday, May 15th at St. Aidan’s United Church, located at 3703 St. Aidan’s Street (off Cedar Hill X Road) at 1:30 P.M. A time of fellowship will follow the service. Flowers graciously declined. If desired, a donation to the Greenwoods Eldercare Society, 133 Blain Road, Salt Spring Island, B.C. V8K 1Z9, marked “In Memory of Barbara Brown” would be most gratefully welcomed.

Our family cannot praise highly enough the quality of care and love that surrounded Mom during the time she resided at the Greenwoods Care Facility on Salt Spring Island. To each and every one who daily graced Mom’s life, thank you.

We also extend our thanks to Haywards Funeral Services, Salt Spring Island and McCall Bros. Funeral Directors, Victoria.

With grace, dignity and serenity, our mother and grandmother,

Molly Ann Frenette

passed away in the early morning hours of April 25, 2010. Born Mary Lee Lucia Kenny on June 10th, 1916 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Molly was raised in Kenora, Ontario. Losing her mom when she was four years old, Molly was adopted by Anna and Douglas Ferguson at the age of ten.

Molly had many great adventures, few being for the soft-of-heart, beginning with her enrollment in the air force for WW II where she served in Britain as a motor transport driver. Marrying our father, John Robert Frenette, in 1948, she had three children Douglas (Terry), Jane (Jim), and John and raised them over the course of many military transfers until the family settled in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1957.

Coming into her own when she retired from her medical receptionist position, Molly hitch-hiked at the age of 60 from Saskatoon to North Dakota in order to catch a flight to Mardi Gras and beyond. An adventurer at heart, she enjoyed trips to both Africa and New Zealand in her 70’s and 80’s and, at the age of 68, Molly made her home on Salt Spring Island.  At 93 she moved with her daughter Jane, son-in-law Jim, and faithful pet Bogart (a.k.a. Bow Wow) to Armstrong, B.C. Always up for one more adventure, Molly embraced life with wide-eyed joy and everyday delight in the pleasure brought to her by her family which, by now, included two granddaughters Rebecca (Billy) and Susannah (Jason) from Calgary, Alberta.

Molly will always be remembered for her generosity of spirit, her strong-willed independence, her unselfish consideration of others and her unending appreciation of the world around her.

Molly will be treasured and greatly missed by all those who knew her and we wish her well on her last great trip. At Molly’s request, no service will be held but joyful music will be played and her remains will be cremated and interred with her mother, Isabella Kenny at Lake of the Woods Cemetery in Kenora, Ontario.

John Gething, aged 102 years passed away peacefully on April 18, 2010 at Lady Minto Hospital.

Predeceased by his beloved wife Betty, John will be sadly missed by his daughter Rosemary Groves (Ron), Granddaughters Carolyn MacEachern (Scott Syme), Sue MacEachern (Bruce Haug), and his Great grandson Thomas Syme who is 100 years younger than John.

It is a true testament to the community spirit of Saltspring Island which supported John so that he could remain independent and at home until his final day. Special thanks to Dr. David Woodley for his excellent care, compassion and the many house calls. Sincere gratitude for the loving care, respect and dedication provided by the exceptional team of home support workers. In particular, the family expresses heartfelt thanks to Paula, Phil, Shannon and Suzanne. Thank you to Barbara for keeping the schedule on an even keel. Thank you also to Bill McKenzie for his weekly grocery runs.

No service by request. If desired, donations in John’s name may be made to the CNIB (BC/Yukon division).

January 17, 1921 –

April 15, 2010

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Thomas Cross from Ganges, BC on Thursday, April 15, 2010.

He is survived by his loving wife Mable, whom he was married to for 67 years after being high school sweethearts. A proud and caring father, he will be remembered with admiration and love by his sons, Richard Cross of Ganges, BC and Michael Cross of Ganges, BC.

Born in York Township, Ontario, Thomas was blessed with a caring family life with parents, William and Isabelle Cross. Thomas excelled in school, skipping three grade years before graduating his senior year with Commercial Certification. In World War Two, he served as a volunteer Lieutenant Flight Officer with the RAF Bomber Command. After his sorties working as a navigator, he studied Architechtural Drafting by correspondence. Reunited back with his wife after three years, he worked at Swift’s Meat Packers in Toronto, as Plant Operations Draftsman. At night and on weekends, he studied Civil Technology Engineering through the APEO. In 1959, after challenging all the exams and practicum, he was awarded his Professional Engineering Degree and Certification with a Gold Seal. During this time while working full time at Swift’s, he was promoted to Plant Operation Superintendent. In the late ‘60s, Thomas went to work with the Province of Ontario Ministry of the Environment. He was instrumental in developing and managing as a Senior Director, three branches of the Ministry; Air Resources, Water Resources and Industrial Approvals.

Thomas was a do-it-yourself man. He built his first home in Cooksville, Ontario with the help of his father and brother. He built his last home here on Salt Spring, with the help of local island contractors. For the enjoyment of his family, he built a cottage in the Haliburton Highlands in Ontario and constructed four boats for our pleasure there. He enjoyed gardening in his Japanese garden yard at his home here, and cruising the local waters in his sailboat, Maysong II. He volunteered with the local Water District, the Salt Spring Sailing Club and the Salt Spring Golf Club.

The Cross family is grateful for the excellent, caring staff at the Lady Minto Hospital Emergency and Acute Care Unit and especially Dr. David Woodley for his compassionate care and guidance.

A celebration of Thomas’ life will be held at the Salt Spring Island Golf Club, Sunday May 2nd, 2010 @ 3pm-6pm. For details, please contact Michael Cross @ 250.537.4108 or email mikeinganges@yahoo.ca