Don passed away quietly at home on May 4, 2008. Don was born in Carnduff, Saskatchewan where he grew up. A self-taught figure skater, at age 15 he started a figure skating club which still thrives and in recent years he established a figure skating bursary for a promising skater in the club. In the early fifties he joined the Ice Capades and traveled throughout North America with the ice shows. Later, he taught figure skating in Calgary, Banff, Red Deer and other cities in Alberta. In the off season he taught driving.

In the meanwhile his interest in theatre was piqued, and as well as producing ice shows, he directed many plays, Gilbert & Sullivan operas and eventually opened his own theatre, the Mac Theatre. When joined with Workshop 14 to become Mac 14, it eventually formed the nucleus of Theatre Calgary – the city’s first professional theatre.

As a born teacher, Don was finally persuaded to return to university and complete his teaching degree. And here again when he began teaching he was very successful. In his first year he produced the London West End musical, “Oliver” and this was followed in successive years by “Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat,” “Mikado,” “Salad Days” and others all in elementary schools. He also developed a new approach to reading, using Readers Theatre – a method used by many teachers now in many parts of Canada and the US. Because of his very effective workshops, Don’s success as a teacher spread and at his retirement, one of the speakers called Don “a legend in his own time.”

In his retirement to Salt Spring in 1987, Don continued his interest in theatre by founding a Readers Theatre group which produced several evenings of theatre and was even invited to perform at the BC Senior Games in Coquitlam. He also looked over the luncheons at Seniors, changing the soup and sandwich format to a full meal and always with a dramatic flair!

Predeceased by his parents Joe & Isabella and his younger sister Connie, Don is survived by one brother Bob, sister Dolores in Victoria and sister Mary in Calgary, as well as his long time friend and partner Dan and many nephews and nieces. At his request there will be no funeral. A Celebration of Life will be held later.

Many thanks to the many health care workers who have provided such a support over Don’s final few weeks: to Dr. David Woodley for his wonderful, dedicated care over the years, for visiting nurses under Sharon MacKinnon, the home support help, the superb staff at Lady Minto, the ambulance drivers and our caregiver Carmen. Also to Sharon at Wellness, the support of GLOSSI members, Caffyn & Mearnie, Scott & Bruce and the support of friends and neighbours.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Gwendoline Clarkson (formerly of Edmonton, AB, and Salt Spring Island, BC) at the age of 93 at the Fort McMurray Northern Lights Regional Hospital.

Mary was born in Glasgow, Scotland and came to Canada in 1951.

Mary was predeceased by her husband James in 1984. Left to mourn her loss and cherish her memory are her loving family, sons Rod (Eva), Edmonton, AB, Peter (Sharon), Fort McMurray, AB, Douglas, Edmonton, AB, and grandson Colin, Edmonton, granddaughters Erin Zaharchuk, Fort McMurray and Kerri (Jeff Gourlie), Edmonton and great-granddaughter, Brooklynn Zaharchuk, Fort McMurray, as well as numerous friends and family in Scotland.

Mary was a life member for Seniors of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #92.

The family would like to thank Dr. Taiwo, Dr. Worry and Dr. Sehornik for their care and compassion during the last two weeks. We would also like to express extreme gratitude and appreciation to the nurses and staff of the NLRH for their loving care and kindness shown to Mary during her stay in the hospital since last October.

Mary resided in Rotary House Fort McMurray from February, 2001 to October 2007 and as per her wishes a tea in her memory will be held there on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 2:00 pm.

Mary will be cremated and her ashes will be buried alongside her husband James on Salt Spring Island, BC during a private family service at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s name to Fort McMurray Rotary House.

Care and Arrangements First Memorial Funeral Services-Harmony Chapel, 10541-81st Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T6E 1X7

With saddened hearts we would like to announce the passing of a good wife,

mother and grandmother.

She lived in Nanaimo many years before moving to Sidney, BC in 1976, with a final move to Salt Spring Island in 1986.

After a lengthy illness Effie passed away at the Lady Minto Hospital on Salt Spring Island. She leaves behind her loving husband Allan, 5 children,

11 grandchildren, and was starting to count the great-grand children’s arrivals.

Effie enjoyed knitting, traveling, drawing, reading, crosswords and playing scrabble. In her later years she started quilting, making gifts for her many grandchildren.

Effie also enjoyed and loved her many pets over the years.

Effie will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

No service at her request.

Bill passed away peacefully at Lady Minto Hospital in his 87th year. Born in Owen Sound, Ontario and a long time resident of Markham, Ontario, he has spent the last twenty years on Salt Spring Island.

Predeceased by his beloved wife of 53 years, Elizabeth (Betty) Dunlop also of Owen Sound. Sadly missed by daughter Cheryl and her husband Peter Reesor of Lindsay, Ontario, son Bill and his wife Judy Monahan of Markham, Ontario, and daughter Susan Monahan and her husband Terry Romeril of Salt Spring Island. Survived by his sister Evelyn Monahan of Owen Sound, Ontario. Remembered by five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A private family service to celebrate his life will be held in Owen Sound on May 24, 2008.

The family would like to thank the staff of Braehaven, Lady Minto and Dr. Barclay for their compassionate care of Dad in recent months.

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Muriel Osburn (nee Sinclair) on April 12th, 2008 at the age of 92 years.

Muriel Jarvis Sinclair was born in Toronto on April 3rd, 1916. She attended Branksome Hall in Toronto, and spent her summers in Algonquin Park at Camp Tanamakoon. Muriel had always wanted to be a nurse and upon graduation she enrolled in the nursing program at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and graduated with honours.

In 1943 Muriel enlisted with the Canadian Army as a Nursing Sister with the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps. She was posted oversees at the No 24 Canadian General Hospital in Surrey, England. One of her patients was Major Fred Tilson who lost both legs in action and he requested Muriel accompany him in his wheelchair to Buckingham Palace when King George V awarded him the Victoria Cross.

In 1945, Muriel volunteered to join the Canadian Army of Occupation in Germany as a nursing sister and was stationed near Oldenburg. It was here that she met William Osburn who was also serving with the Canadian Army. When discharged in 1946, Bill and Muriel returned to Canada and were married in Toronto on June 14th, 1947. They settled in West Vancouver, B.C. and resided there for many years, raising two children. Upon Bill’s retirement in 1977, they moved to Salt Spring Island, first residing on Sunset Drive and moving to Brinkworthy Estates in 1990. For the past two years, Muriel has been a resident of Lady Minto Hospital and the concern & support of the caring staff has been much appreciated by the family.

Muriel always enjoyed nursing and was on the staff when Greenwoods Care Facility first opened. Upon her retirement, she volunteered with the Thrift Shop and Seniors for Seniors and enjoyed evenings with friends at the local Legion.

Muriel was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Bill, in 2004. She will be held forever in the hearts of daughter Jayne Lapointe (Raymond), son Peter Osburn and grandson Garth Lapointe and her dear friend Wendy Smith. Muriel will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sister Gwynneth (Ginty) Powell, of Toronto, ON and brother Robert (Bob) Sinclair, of Mississauga, ON and their children and families.

A memorial tea service will be held on Friday, May 9th at 2:00 pm in the ECU Recreation Room of Lady Minto Hospital, 135 Crofton Road, Salt Spring Island.

Friends wishing to do so may make a donation in memory of Muriel to the BC SPCA Salt Spring Island Branch (PO Box 522, Salt Spring Island, BC, V8K 2W2) or The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 (120 Blain Road, Salt Spring Island, BC, V8K 2P7).

Graduate University of Toronto, 1940. Served Canada with distinction. WW II; paratrooper British 6 Airborne Division; escaped POW; D-Day; Korea; Commanding Officer 2 R.C.R. London.

Born August 27, 1918 in Walkerton, Ontario and died peacefully March 17, 2008 on Salt Spring Island, B.C. Beloved husband of the late Joan Marion Clancy (nee Mollison) (2006). Predeceased by daughter Ann (1999), granddaughter Allison Kelly (1988) and son Sean I (1946).

Jack will be greatly missed by his loving children Michael, James (Debbie), Mark, Julia, Robin, Sean Andrew (Jennifer); grandchildren Jonathan, Kate, Allison, Daniel, Elliot, Jasmine, Nicholas, Emily and Alex. Jack will be remembered by his family and friends for his faith, commitment to public service, kind heart, generous spirit and his bravery and indomitable courage.

Special thanks to Doctor David G. Woodley and to the Mollies. Requiem mass on August 27, 2008 at 11 am at Our Lady of Grace Church, 135 Drake Road, Salt Spring Island. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, 135 Crofton Rd., Salt Spring Island, B.C. V8K 1T1.

Forti et Audaci Nihil Difficile est

Courtenay Jane Steele

July 30, 1981-

We have lost our precious girl to the sea and we grieve deeply for that loss. Courtenay was an island girl, born 27 years ago at Lady Minto Hospital. She loved her family, she loved Chris and she loved the sea. She lived her life as a grand adventure and we celebrate that.

We celebrate a life well-lived and well-loved. In her loss, we have been given a mystery we don’t understand and can’t comprehend but our lives are richer for having her be a part of them.

Our family is our treasure and part of that treasure is missing. Our hearts break for what we have lost and for what we will never have.

All are welcome to join us as we celebrate Courtenay’s life in a memorial service on August 7 at 2:30 pm at All Saints Anglican Church, Ganges

Our darling girl,

we love you and miss you every day.

We will leave the porch light on and hold

you and Chris in our hearts forever