Martin Gotzscha

July 10, 1950 to Sept. 18, 2016

After many years of illness, Martin passed away from a sudden stroke. He was surrounded by nurses and ministers at the Victoria General Hospital.

Martin was born in Holland and came to Toronto by ship as a boy. He is survived by his sister, Ingrid James and her children. Martin was predeceased by his parents.

Martin was loved by many and leaves behind Justin Mackie, Sally Hysop, Jim Wheatley, John Helmer, Crystal, Judy and Michael and many other friends, as well as his daughter Grace, and dear friend from Ontario Al McLean.

Martin enjoyed reading, television, walking, cooking and cleaning. He was very intelligent and had great wisdom. Martin was a biologist and loved history. He had a positive attitude and even though he suffered through poverty, he recently purchased a car, a long time wish of his.

Mass was held at Our Lady of Grace for Martin on Sept. 23, 2016 and a Celebration of Life will be held in the days ahead.

Thank you to Shane Barclay, Lady Minto Hospital and Victoria General Hospital staff.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Heart and Stroke Foundation, Lady Minto Hospital or the Salt Spring Food Bank.

On March 16th 2017, at the age of 37, David (Sandy) Kerman died of a rare form of cancer, surrounded by his family; wife, Megan, daughter Kinsley, parents Dave and Frances and sister Sarah. 

David was loved by all who knew him. He will be deeply missed. The world is undoubtedly a better place for having him in it.

A celebration of life will be held on March 25th, 2017 at Stowell Lake Farm, at 3:00. 

In lieu of flowers a fund will be set up at CIBC for his daughter Kinsley.

Veronica (Renee) Yanitski (Hyshka)

April 21, 1921 – January 1, 2016

Veronica Yanitski, nee Hyshka 

and also known as Renee, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of January 1st, 2016, at 94 years of age. She was predeceased by her husband Peter, son Jerry and eight of her nine siblings. She is survived by her granddaughter Katrina, her sister Sanni, and numerous nieces and nephews. In her own words, “everyone was her favourite!”

Having been raised on a farm in northeastern Alberta,  Renee was especially fond of animals. Her best friend, Blacky the cat, predeceased her by one week. She was known for her sense of humour, quick wit, generosity, and kindness.

Upon leaving the farm, she worked in food services – first in Bonnyville and then in Edmonton – before becoming a proud resident of Salt Spring Island in 1991.  Here she quickly made friends with the Ladies Auxiliary Thrift Store, the Royal Legion, members of Our Lady of Grace Parish, and many more. Cooking and baking were her passions, as well as gardening, knitting, embroidery and crocheting. She kept a fine house, excelling in treating whomever came by with tasty and generous treats from her Ukrainian kitchen. At the Saturday Market, where she kept a table till 2001, her delicious baked goods were savoured by many local and visiting gourmands.

Thank you ever so much, to Dr. Butcher and team, all of the dedicated and caring staff at Beacon community home support and the daycare personnell at Braehaven, that allowed Renee to stay in her home for an extra four years, prior to moving into Lady Minto Extended Care.

A celebration of Renee’s life will be held on May 14th, 2016, at 12:00pm at the Royal Legion, with the Panakhyda, a traditional Ukrainian service, by Father Edward Evanko.

Jacqueline Marie Rose Ritchie

October 27, 1930 – December 23, 2015

Jacquie, age 85, passed away peacefully at Lady Minto Hospital on December 23, 2015.

She is survived by her loving children Judy, Mark, Eric and Glenn.

The Ritchie family wishes to thank the doctors and staff for their excellent and compassionate care of our mother.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Eric William Hunter Feilden,

B Comm, CA, TEP, Partner, Taxation Services, MNP.ca

May 27, 1948 – December 22, 2015

Surrounded by family at his summer home on Cowichan Lake, Eric leaves us after a dignified battle with cancer. Predeceased by parents John Coel Kenrick and Cecily Ardenne (nee Smith) and nephew Christopher Carter, he will forever be remembered by loving wife Linda McDaniel, children Diana (Mike), Ryan (Jessie), Brad (Anna), Olivia and Maggie; brothers Richard (Anne) and Randle (Annette); nieces Wendy, Nicola (Mark & Greer), Adrienne; Diana, Joe and Hannah; awesome grandchildren Avery, Kaleigh, Nick and Jake and canine companion Cher.

A chartered accountant for over 40 years, Eric held a life-long passion for Canadian tax and estate planning. He loved fishing, all sports, particularly hockey, playing goalie for 50 years. Celebrations would inevitably include a dry martini with a twist.

Eric’s gentle and kind manner, along with his enduring, quirky sense of humour will be characteristics remembered forever.

A celebration of Eric’s life will be held on Salt Spring Island when the warm winds blow.

The family is most grateful to the doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers of the BC Cancer Agency and the Royal Jubilee Hospital, in particular the compassion of Dr. David Peterson.

Donations are appreciated to the BC Hospice and Palliative Care Association (www.bchpca.org).

Online condolences may be offered at

www.hwwallacecbc.com .

Shaughan (Johnnie) Wells

Nov. 1928 – Dec. 2015

Our mother passed peacefully into the next world on Dec. 18, surrounded by love. She joins her eldest son Micheal and her husband Barry.

Johnnie leaves behind her children Judye, Stephen (Lani), Melissa (Steve), Simon (Kristan), grandchildren Derek, Cody, Cole, Tyler, Jordan, Sophia and Roman, “adopted” kids Sandi and John and all those she scooped up into her enormous heart over the years.

Johnnie will be remembered for her feisty nature, her flair for the dramatic, her desire to help and her love of gardening.

Many thanks to Drs Shane and Ashley and to the kind and caring staff at Lady Minto.

A celebration of her life will be held in 2016, the details of which will be announced here.

Donations in honour of Johnnie may be made to the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation.