Devon Metcalfe

February 15, 1925 – May 27, 2016

Devon Metcalfe, born 1925 in Toronto, passed away May 27, 2016 at Lady Minto Hospital on Salt Spring Island. She was surrounded by love with her daughter by her side. Predeceased by husband Fraser and son Christopher, Devon leaves behind daughter Rowan, grandchildren Jason and Amanda, and five great-grandchildren. It is impossible to describe this wonderful person’s life in just a few lines. Devon was generous, kind, gracious, and talented. In addition to being a mother, she taught for many years, worked with teenage girls in transition, and later became events coordinator and historic interpreter for the Toronto Historical Board. When Devon retired in 1993, she moved to SSI where she volunteered for many organizations including the library, Transition House, Soup’s On, Artspring, and Chemainus Theatre. From an early age Devon was involved in drama, dance, and choreography. She will long be remembered for the Christmas plays she wrote and directed. With support from many individuals and businesses, her last play was performed by members of the special needs community on SSI before a full house at Artspring. Devon, who also narrated the play, was proud of the cast who didn’t miss a cue and received a standing ovation. Devon had a gift for reading. She read on the radio when she was a child, to her children when they were young, at Reader’s Theatre, and regularly at the Anglican Church. Her voice, her twinkling eyes and her spirit touched many lives.

A celebration of Devon’s life will be held at

All Saint’s by-the-Sea Anglican Church

on Thursday, June 30 and 2:15pm.

John Paul Ban

Feb 1, 1968 – May 27, 2016

John is remembered by his sister Katarina Rothe and his many friends as a high-spirited, adventurous and loyal brother and friend.

In his earlier years, John lived in Alberta and Kamloops, but found his true home when he moved to Saltspring Island in 1996 and started his hair styling business. He formed warm, loyal and dependable friendships with the people around him; he often bonded with people over a mutual joy for outdoor adventure. With his patient and mindful manner, he became an amazing nature photographer, portraying his love of the environment and outdoor activities. His easy going, agreeable and non-competitive nature made him easy to be around and fun to spend time with in the outdoors. Nature was his religion. The true business hours of his salon were ‘all cloudy days’ because during most of the sunny days, he would be found on the slopes of Mount Maxwell or somewhere out there on his bike or in his kayak. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Constance Beverley Kelly

Jan. 13, 1918 – May 11, 2016

Connie was born on January 13, 1918 in St. John, New Brunswick, and died on Salt Spring Island on May 11, 2016.  Her family moved to Montreal while Connie was a girl, and she attended Westmount High School there.

Connie had a love and talent for art, developed further after her family moved to Vancouver in 1936. She was self taught, and enjoyed her skill over many years, until she lost most of her sight.   As a young adult, Connie worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway, in the offices then at the foot of Granville Street, as a dispatcher working shifts.  During that time, she drew a pencil drawing of C.A. Cotterell, who was Assistant General Manager of the Mountain Railway, and Connie’s picture was featured in the railway’s advertising.  She loved to do landscapes, but she developed real skills as a portrait artist too.  One of her best was of Norma Shearer, which was actually purchased by the actress herself.  She painted Margaret Trudeau, and received a personal letter of thanks when she sent the portrait to her.

Connie married Leonard George Kelly at St. John’s Anglican Church in North Vancouver on September 16, 1950.  They soon moved to Salt Spring Island to start a new life there.  Connie continued her painting as she raised her family; her postcards were sold in the local stores as were her oil landscapes.  Connie was always an active member of the Anglican Parish and its choir, and was a founding member of the Salt Spring Singers.  The first choir she joined was in 1936 in Vancouver.

Connie leaves behind her three children: Patrick of Victoria, daughter Asia Moore (Jim) also of Victoria and Michael (Marianne) of Courtenay, as well as grandson Aaron McKenty & great granddaughter Galia McKenty of Nanaimo.  Her sister, Joan, of Pasadena, CA will miss their frequent phone visits.

Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Barclay, our Ambulance crews, the nurses and staff at Lady Minto Hospital and at Greenwoods, to the members of the Anglican congregations and choir and to Connie’s friends & care givers at Meadowbrook, especially Sylvain and Yvette.

Funeral service will be at All Saints by the Sea in Ganges, on Friday, May 27th at 2:00.

DAVID JOSEPH GEORGE HARRIS

Dec. 22, 1939 – May 11, 2016

David was born December 22nd, 1939 and passed away May 11th, 2016 at the Royal Jubilee Hospital after an 8-month battle with cancer.

David was predeceased by his parents William Harris and Dorothy Akerman. He is survived by his siblings Geraldine (Herb), Pauline (Roy) and Peter (Susan). Also by his partner Diane Edison; his children Ted (Julieta), Heather (Sean), Rob (Donna); as well as his grandchildren Daniel (Bailey), Myles, Karryn (Kale), Victoria, Nolan and Nicolas; also his first wife (divorced) Marlene Nevison; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

David taught at Colquitz and Mount Douglas schools and spent many years residing in the Fulford Valley on Salt Spring Island. He enjoyed bee keeping, wood cutting, hiking, fishing, poetry and literature, and took a lot of pictures wherever he went. He would often be seen travelling in his wood truck (“The General Sherman”) or in his black Buick (“Caesar Augustus”).

Special thanks to his partner Diane Edison and fellow teacher Dave Barker and to the nursing staff and doctors at the Royal Jubilee Hospital for their kindness, care and support as he fought to the end.

There will be no funeral at David’s request, although, there will be a Celebration of Life for family and friends on Sunday, May 29th, 2016 at the Tally Ho VIP room, 3020 Douglas St, Victoria, BC; from 1pm-3pm.

URSULA GERTRUDE DYSON (nee PAULMANN)

June 1, 1926 – May 5, 2016

URSULA DYSON (nee PAULMANN), 89, passed away peacefully in Chilliwack, BC on May 5, 2016. “Ushi” was born in Hannover, Germany and immigrated to Canada with her husband, Otto Holdack and children, Peter and Barbel (Brook), in 1952. They originally settled in Pioneer, BC, before moving to Vancouver in 1955. Ursula worked at the White Lunch and West Coast Woolen Mills before owning and operating a boarding house in Vancouver. An accomplished business woman during her working career, Ursula purchased a motel/camp in the Fraser Canyon, a motel in the Okanagan, and with her second husband, James (Jim) Sinclair, an RV Campground/Trailer Park in the Okanagan.

In 1977 they retired to Salt Spring Island. Tragically, Jim died that same year. Ursula lived and worked on SSI for more than a decade before moving to Chilliwack to enjoy her grandchildren. She married Spencer (Don) Dyson, and over the last 26 years enjoyed RVing and winters in southern USA. She loved animals, gardening and landscaping, cooking, knitting and travelling.

Ursula Dyson is lovingly remembered by her husband, Spencer, son, Peter (Angela, Ex-Celine), and daughter, Brook (partner, Diane), grandchildren Bonnie (Luke), Curtis and Steven, and great grandchildren, Hudson and Owen.

A memorial service will be held when family and friends can gather. Memorial donations may be made to SSI SPCA.

Hazel June Webb

(nee Ziegler)

25 Sept 1926 – 3 May 2016

June was born in Vancouver and married for over 50 years. She loved Island life from a very young age and spent summers on Bowen and Thetis, in Victoria and Port Alberni, and lived on Salt Spring Island since 1974, where June and Cec built their Lindal Cedar Home.

Hazel was an avid gardener, card player, bowler, scorekeeper, Tourist Centre volunteer, avid art lover and enjoyed the local Jazz Festival.

Predeceased by her husband Cec Webb in March 1999, her father Orland Ziegler,  mother Hilda (Pettit) Brusk & step-father Gunnar Brusk. She is survived by sons Dave (Jan), Rick (Jo-Anne), Chris, Terry (Amanda) and Alan. Grandchildren – Nicolle (Ganbat), Kyle, Paul, James, Kristin (Shannon) and Stewart.

No service per request.

Donations to Lady Minto Hospital Foundation in her memory:  http://ladymintofoundation.com/

Robert Lindsay Kyle

March 24, 1927 – April 29, 2016

On April 29th we said goodbye to our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Robert Lindsay Kyle. Lindsay died peacefully with family by his side and embraced in their love. Predeceased by son, Gavin Lindsay on January 1st, 2008, he leaves behind his loving wife of over 61 years, Dorothy, and his children Ian (Sandy), Warren (Jaimie) Linda (Gordon) and grandchildren Aaron, Sarah, Emma, Alastair, Connor, Sabrina, Jordan, Rebekah and Charissa. Lindsay was born in Vancouver and quickly developed a love of the sea. A merchant career on the ocean led him to meet his wife Dorothy in Australia. Beginning a family together with Dorothy brought Lindsay back to the coast and after the family moved to Salt Spring Island in February 1964, Lindsay worked with B.C. Ferries until his retirement. Lindsay loved to read and history was his passion. During his retirement Lindsay enjoyed annual family trips to Mexico and summers of camping, mainly on Vancouver Island. Lindsay and Dorothy traveled extensively throughout Europe and the South Pacific. True to his love of the sea Lindsay enjoyed cruising with the highlight being a cruise through the Panama Canal. When Lindsay was not traveling he would often be seen having coffee with the lads at Dagwoods followed by hours of passionate grass cutting on this riding mower. Lindsay’s evenings often found him in his workshop repairing the many little things his family would bring him. He was a talented artist and craftsman.

A gathering of family and friends will take place at a later date. Flowers gratefully declined.

The family would like to thank everyone at Greenwoods Eldercare Facility who cared for and loved Lindsay during his two years there. We would also like to extend thanks to those who specifically supported us in word and deed during Lindsay’s final few days. Your compassion was felt and appreciated.

God saw the road was getting rough

And the hills were hard to climb,

So He closed your weary eyelids

And whispered, “Peace be thine.”

Michael John Lourim

May 19, 1941 – April 27, 2016

Michael John Lourim, 74 of Saltspring Island B.C. passed away suddenly at home on April 27, 2016. Mike was born May 19, 1941 in Detroit Michigan to the late Frank and Blanche Lourim. Following high school he entered the Benedictine religious order.

Mike arrived in Canada in 1967, working as a research officer at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), where he received his Masters of Education (MEd) from the University of Toronto and completed all the coursework for a doctorate. More recently he graduated with a Diploma in Christian Studies from Vancouver School Of Theology at University of British Columbia.

It was Mike’s love of natural materials and architecture, combined with his creativity and and critical eye for design that pulled him into his next career, where he was owner and operator of Lourim & Co. renovating both in Toronto and on Saltspring Island.

He had a wonderful eye for proportion and design, whether he was arranging stones inside a pool of light on a hall table, or constructing a garden gate, his “patented” potting shed or a new kitchen (his favourite being IKEA). His strong intellect drew from his love and study of many disciplines, including the classics, sociology, architecture and design, theology and social justice.

Mike had an easy warm manner and an enchanting smile for both friends and acquaintances. In conversation he had a lovely dry wit but not at anyone’s expense.

Sue and Mike moved to Saltspring Island in the early 90’s. Mike is survived by his wife Sue, his son Sean, Sue’s son Dylan (Colton, Ayden) and in-laws Debbie, David, Sarah, Becky and Graham, cousin Bruce and Deb. He will be remembered fondly by many friends and acquaintances and deeply missed by many.

A memorial service will be held at 11am, Wednesday, May 11th at All Saints by the Sea Anglican Church, Saltspring Island, B.C.