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.
ELLA SMETHURST
1917-2010
Ella Smethurst died peacefully May 29, 2010. She was 93 years old.
She is survived by her daughter Judith Beaglehole (Peter), grandchildren Alastair Muir (Nicole), Claire Muir (Mark) and nieces and nephews in England.
Ella was much loved by her family and friends and led a rich, full life.
Very special thanks to the caregivers at Greenwoods and Braehaven and all those who had helped her over the last four years.
There will be no funeral at Ella’s request.
PEONIA (PENNY) HAUGE
Penny passed away at Lady Minto Hospital on May 26, 2010. She was born in Nightingale, Alberta, on July 27,1915.
She is survived by one brother, John of Edmonton, Alberta; one sister-in-law Annie of Langley, BC; and one niece and five newphews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation in Penny’s name.
Neil G. Burton
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
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
DIANA MARTYN PALMER
(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.
JOHN A. CATLEY
Peacefully at home on Salt Spring Island, loved and supported by Dorothy and his close family, John passed away on May 11.
Born in England in 1933, and a BC resident since 1956, John was a Spitfire pilot in
Hong Kong, round-the-globe aviator with the RCAF, Trans Canada Airlines and Air Canada, and dedicated sailor and navigator.
But most of all, he was a matchless husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.
For information on a celebration of
John’s life, please contact
captjohncelebration@yahoo.ca.
In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory to 135 Squadron Sponsoring Committee,
Royal Canadian Air Cadets,
would be appreciated.
Address: PO Box 46896, Station D,
Vancouver, BC V6J 5M4.
DONNA MAE HOGARTH
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.
DIANE HUNTER
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.
MARGARET BARBARA BROWN
(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.
