1917-2009

On April 19, 2009 Isabel Mary Vane-Hunt (nee Hooper) died at Lady Minto Hospital.

Isabel was born January 12, 1917 in Reigate, England, the 4th of eight children of Edith (nee Tatton-Winter) and Vincent Hooper. After her primary education, Isabel attended Studley College studying landscape design.

In 1936, Isabel traveled to Canada as a nanny, then worked with Nellie McClung gardening during the depression. Nellie McClung mentored Isabel’s lifelong beliefs in social activism.

Isabel returned to England to attend King’s College in London to train as an RN, working as an Army nurse during WWII.

After the war, Isabel married Conhor Vane-Hunt in 1947, with whom she had 5 children, emigrating to Canada in 1957.

Isabel lived in Cloverdale, Surrey, where she served as a Girl Guide and Ranger leader. She moved to Salt Spring Island in 1973.

An active organic gardener all of her life, Isabel planted orchards, vegetable and flower gardens wherever she lived. Isabel won many trophies for her outstanding exhibits at the Salt Spring Fall Fair.

Isabel supported Amnesty International, World Wildlife Fund, Western Wilderness Committee, Salt Spring Land Conservancy, and many other social and environmental causes. She supported Cowichan Therapeutic Riding and many other charitable works. Isabel traveled extensively until her debilitating condition confined her to a scooter.

A familiar sight on her scooter around Ganges, Isabel loved the Farmer’s Market, and led a protest in the 1970’s to keep the market in Centennial Park. She was also one of the early founders of the Salt Spring Recycling Depot.

Isabel is survived by her sister Margaret; her five children: Michael, Rosamond, Mary, Caroline and Martin; grandchildren: Tarka, Jordy, Selchie, Cryano, David and William and two great-grandchildren, Amber Isabel and Devon.

The family would like to thank Drs. Holly and Hansie and Nurses Israel, Jo and Michelle for their compassionate care during Isabel’s final hours.

Special thanks to caregivers Amornrat, Josie, Evelyn, Anna, Mary Morden, Rachel, Lisa and others for their devoted care over the last two years.

‘A Time for Everything’

To everything there is a season,

And a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal;

A time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing:

A time to get, and a time to lose;

A time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew;

A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate;

A time of war, and a time of peace.

AN ACCOIL

A potluck celebration of Isabel’s life will be held at Tasaday Farm 180 Sharp Road on Saturday, May 16th from noon onwards.

Anyone who knew or was touched by Isabel is most welcome.

Please plant something, a tree, a vegetable or a bulb in her memory.

On April 15, 2009, Norberta Kathryn Amey Martin passed away at Lady Minto Hospital at the age of 96. Born in Los Angeles in 1913, Norberta lived much of her early life in Oakland, California. She liked reminiscing about difficult times during the Great Depression, and before, when her father traveled to the West Coast seeking work; by age seven she was writing letters begging him to come home. After high-school graduation, she volunteered at the county offices to repay relief money the family had received during a particularly hard year. Subsequently she packed biscuits at the Oakland shredded wheat factory and worked for an accounting firm in San Francisco. She then enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, graduating in 1937 with a degree in accounting. At Berkeley’s Henry Morse Stevens Masonic Lodge, Norberta met fellow student and future husband Marvin Martin. The couple had had two children by the time Marvin was called to serve in World War II effort in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The happy years following the war saw Norberta and Marvin raising their family in Berkeley, California, then Livermore. The children grown, they moved to Tucson, Arizona, where Marvin held a professorship in aerospace engineering at the University of Arizona and Norberta was active with local organizations. Norberta and Marvin retired to Port Alberni, moving to Salt Spring Island in 1989. Norberta remained active on the Island until this year when she suffered a stroke and was confined to Lady Minto Hospital. She died from a second stroke.

She is remembered by her family for embracing scary sailing and flying adventures, for sustaining many, many friendships, for her elegant entertaining, for her sharp mind and impeccable taste, and for her unflagging love.

She will be remembered around the village for her ancient and shiny red pickup truck, for her appreciation of all things beautiful, and for her social enthusiasm and love of company.

Norberta is survived by her two children Douglas and Susan, seven grandchildren, and ten great -grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to attend a tea party for Norberta on Sunday, May 31, 1:00 pm, at #5 Grace Point on Salt Spring Island. Parking at street level, please walk up to #5.

November 24, 1921

– April 1, 2009

Elizabeth passed away peacefully in Lady Minto Hospital on Salt Spring Island. She will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by everyone who knew her. She was predeceased by her husband, Alex, and her brother, Tibor. She leaves: her beloved daughter Judith (Donald), and son Peter (Donna) and grandchildren Christopher, Kevin, Bryan, and Jeffrey, as well as six great grandchildren.

Both Elizabeth and Alex were born in Hungary and moved to Canada in 1951 after a five-year stay in Norway. Elizabeth excelled at everything she endeavoured: knitting, crocheting, gymnastics, figure skating, dancing, skiing, singing, gardening, hunting and fishing — all some of her favourite passions. She was also a gourmet cook and baker. At 70, Elizabeth took up painting, and got back into ballroom dancing and skiing. Alex and Elizabeth trained and showed hunting dogs, as well as raising horses while living in Dewinton, Alberta before moving to Salt Spring Island in 1987.

The family wishes to thank the paramedics, doctors and nursing staff who cared for Elizabeth so lovingly last week.

Honouring Elizabeth’s request, there will be a private graveside service. A gathering of friends and family will be held at a later date.

A Celebration of Bob Appleton’s Life will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 2:00 pm at Meadowbrook, 121 Atkins Road.

born Jan 7, 1922 in Warrington, Lancashire passed away on March 27, 2009 in Lady Minto Hospital.

He will be sorely missed by his daughter, Rosemary, and granddaughter, Sara, both of whom he loved dearly; he will also be very missed by his family and friends here in the community and overseas in England.

Bob led an independent and fulfilling life on Salt Spring Island donating much of his time and energy to helping others. He was a founding member of Seniors for Seniors, and volunteered with the Library, the food bank and of course, Santa’s Workshop. His granddaughter will always remember his attic full of toys that he collected and repaired for many years, and the magic he gave to so many children at Christmas time. His volunteerism led him to receive much recognition including the Valued Elder Recognition Award in 2000 from the University of Victoria, and a Certificate of Appreciation in 2007 for his many years contributed to the Salt Spring Island Community Services Society. A gentle man in the truest sense of the word, the memories of his humour will live on and bring smiles to all who knew him.

A memorial celebration of Bob’s life is being organized for friends in the community. It will be announced in an upcoming paper.

12 October 1930 – 27 March 2009

Marion passed away on 27 March 2009 after a brave and courageous fight against cancer.

She is sadly missed by her loving husband of 54 years, Dennis; her daughter Sue (husband Ron) Diederichs of Courtenay, and sons Antony (wife Kate) White of London, UK and David (wife Karen) White of Taunton, UK, and also by her grandchildren: Carl, Matt and Claire Diederichs; Eve, Alice and Tim White; and Brindley, Courtenay and Christie-May White.

Marie was born in Shardlow, Derbyshire, in 1930. She initially began training as an RN; however, after her marriage to Dennis in 1954 she became a full time homemaker and looked after their three children. Over the next few years they had a succession of houses in the UK while Dennis pursued a sales career. They emigrated to Canada for the first time in 1963 and stayed for seven years, enough time to build equity to return to England in 1970 and buy a farm. Many happy years followed with Marie working side by side with Dennis at Woodhayne Farm in Somerset, raising their children, and they remained in the UK until 1980, when they decided to sell up and retire to Salt Spring Island, and latterly Qualicum Beach.

Marie was a wonderful loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was a gifted needlewoman, a fine cook and an early pioneer of healthy foods. She loved gardening, squaredancing, and playing the piano. In her retirement, she always found time to help others, and volunteered with the Hospital Auxiliary and the library. She was always a source of positive inspiration to others around her.

She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Cremation as requested.

The family will be holding an open house on Sunday

5 April 2009, from 2:00-4:00 pm

at the home of Bob and Lavinia Hann,

110 Dover Place, Salt Spring Island (250-537-9566)

Born in Vancouver on May 16, 1917, our dear Emily passed away peacefully on the island that she loved on the evening of March 24, 2009 at the age of 91.

Predeceased by her husband Dave in 1998, her sister Peggy Knowles and nephew Brian. Emily is survived by her loving family: sons Doug (Gloria), John (Verna) and Neil (Monika); grandchildren Chad, Todd, Hailley (Aaron) and Brianne; great-grandchildren Aiden and Taylor; cousin Steve Reed (Pam) in England.

Both Emily & Dave were born in Vancouver, where they met and married in 1942. While raising their three boys, Emily worked for many years in the meat department at Woodward’s, traveling occasionally to assist in the opening of other stores elsewhere in the province. In the early 1980’s Dave & Emily retired to Salt Spring Island.

Emily enjoyed crosswords and puzzles, quilting, knitting baby sweaters for the hospital showcase and prize winning dolls, volunteering at Extended Care. She was very social, and always had a cheerful word for friends she made along the way. Emily enjoyed weekly dinners at the Legion, being part of the congregation on Sundays, singing with “The Lost Chords” and, until a few short years ago, going on organized senior’s bus trips around the province. Always appreciative of the help she received from friends, neighbours and Seniors for Seniors, Emily also enjoyed her visits with her kind, professional Homecare “girls”. The family would also like to thank the caring staff at Lady Minto Hospital and the wonderful friends on Salt Spring Island.

A memorial celebration will be held in honour of Emily’s life

on Wednesday April 8, 2009 at 2 pm at the United Church, 111 Hereford Avenue.

A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate any donation to the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, 135 Crofton Rd, SSI, BC, V8K 1T1,or the charity of your choice.