June Doris Carmichael Mitchell

June 16, 1924 – Dec. 17, 2015

After 91 well lived years, our dearly loved, June Doris Carmichael Mitchell passed peacefully on December 17th, 2015 in the warmth of her own bed and with all her life long collectibles and personal family treasures about her.

June was born, raised and lived a wonderful life on Salt Spring Island and throughout her years, was an avid artist, painter and a passionate gardener. The only child of Capt. James Mitchell and Mrs. Doris Butler Mitchell (nee Aitkens), June relished her memories of family life at their long time seaside home at the Ganges Harbour spit on Beddis Road.

June worked for a brief time as an operator for the telephone company on Salt Spring which was then housed in the tiny white building now known as the Café Talia.

June was fortunate to have experienced some incredible worldwide travels including a trip on the famed, Orient Express. It was the artistic culture and history of Italy that stole her heart and influenced her painting and love of design, furnishings and jewelry.

Having never married, June was a dedicated daughter, friend and constant companion to her mother. June and her mother, Doris, eventually combined their individual creative and artistic talents to open and run a small gallery and gift shop known as “The Studio” from their Beddis Road property.

June was a soft spoken and gracious little lady in every way and was particularly radiant whenever she wore an outfit in her favourite colour “Pink”.

June leaves behind numerous dear cousins and loving friends residing in Parksville, B.C., Victoria, B.C., Ayrshire, Scotland and here on Salt Spring Island along with her beloved cat, Destiny.

We are grateful for all the special care and attention June received during her 2 ½ years at Sunrise Senior Living in Victoria and to her Doctors, Dr. Sherman and Dr. Grimwood.

June’s internment will be at the St. Mark’s cemetery alongside her mother. At June’s request, there will be a short private graveside memorial.

Trish Maddison, (Wilson)

July 4, 1932 – Dec 15, 2015

A long time resident of Salt Spring Island passed away peacefully Tuesday December 15th at Greenwoods Eldercare.

People who knew her refer to her heart of gold, selfless nature, spirit of adventure and eternal optimism. All will sadly miss her.

She is survived by her much-loved children Sandra and spouse Neil, Courtenay BC, Trevor and wife Chental, Salt Spring Is. Ian and wife Sharon, Salt Spring Is. Heather and husband Dave, Maple Bay, BC, Fiona and husband Mark, Brentwood Bay, BC, Grandchildren Philip, Jonathon, Samuel, Jessica, Amie, Thai and Lily and great-grandchildren Katie, Olivia and Brynn and brother Tony, Grimsby England. Her sister Shirley and granddaughter Megan predeceased her. 

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the staff at Greenwoods Eldercare where Trish was a happy resident for almost 2 years.

A memorial service to celebrate Trish Maddison’s life will be held at the Salt Spring Island Anglican Church, Park Drive, Thursday January 7 2016 at 1:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made in her name to the children or animal charity of your choice. 

A memorial page is set up in memory of Trish at HaywardsFuneral.com

Jerzy Porebski

July 30,1946 – December 14, 2015.

Jerzy Porebski passed away peacefully on December 14, 20015 at Lady Minto Hospital, at the age of 69 with his family by his side.

He will be remembered by his daughters Alinka Porebska and Ania Porebski, and his grandchildren Maya and Indigo Porebska-Smith and Leifen Porebska Coverdale.

He will always be Loved.

Service will be held on December 30, 2015

at 1:30 at Our Lady of Grace

Catholic Church, 135 Drake Rd.

Margaret (Biz) Stratton

May 22, 1915 – Dec. 11, 2015

Margaret (Biz) Stratton, Salt Spring resident since 1976, passed away on December 11, 2015 in Lynnwood, Washington at the age of 100. 

Biz and her husband Mort lived on Salt Spring for 40 years.  They joined the United Church of Canada and volunteered in the community in many capacities.  Both assisted in the creation of Meadowbrook Retirement Residence in Ganges where they lived for 10 years.

A devoted wife and mother, worldwide traveler and talented artist in every media, Biz possessed an inquisitive mind and could tell you the name of every bird, wildflower and tree she saw.  Her answer to any question was, “Why not?” for she loved new adventures.  Her remarkably cheerful nature drew friends to her and she gladly shared her expertise in many fields. 

She was raised to be of service to others and her passion was to be useful.  Her last words were, “wake me if you need anything.”  What a bright, shining spirit she was!

Evelyn John

1935 – 2015

“Life is a Strange Affair”

Evelyn John (née McCallum) born on wee Cliftonville Parade, Belfast Northern Ireland, in 1935 passed away on December 9, 2015 in her home, surrounded by family and all their love. 

The story that led to this moment began with a leap of faith. At 21, Evelyn decided to leave the old country for a land she had barely heard of with a sailor she had only just met and married. 

That eventually led her to Salt Spring Island, where she was recently honoured as a “Pioneer”, having made it her home for over 50 years. 

She leaves behind: brother Hugh (Marie), daughters Lorraine (Ben), Sharon (Murray), and Barbara (Randal), as well as step daughter Pam (Lise), and grandchildren: Lauren, Michael, Ellen, Ashley, Matthew, Caitlyn, and Callum.  She will be welcomed into the Great Beyond by her youngest daughter Valerie, first husband Doug John and husband Chester Lengyel. 

Our family matriarch will be fondly remembered for her love of singing, dancing and playing the odds, for her daily tidily and daytime dramas, for her afternoon chin wags, dedicated volunteering, and her world renowned killer coleslaw. 

She could cook for an army, dance like a dervish, and scrabble with the best of them. She was a fierce spirit and kindred soul.

We will always love you, Evelyn.

Lang may your lum reek. 

Edward Steven Petty

August 17, 1949 – December 5, 2015

Steve Petty, passed peacefully in his sleep on December 5, 2015 in his adopted Salt Spring home, Kunzang Dechen Osel Ling (KDOL) Buddhist retreat facility on Mt. Tuam at the age of 66 after a year long struggle with cancer. Steve is pre-deceased by his father, Edward William and his mother Audrey, nee Gazzard, Petty. He is survived by his two elder sisters, Denise Collings of Fredericton, NB and Lee McCarter of Sarnia, Ont.

Steve was born in Kitchener, Ontario on August 17, 1949. He graduated from high school in London, Ontario and attended two years of college. Having been born into a military family he was used to moving around and so after leaving college he continued in his parapatetic ways. His travels finally brought him to Salt Spring where in 1981 he settled on Mt. Tuam so that he could build the first 3 year retreat facility at KDOL. Afterwards he moved to Fulford Harbour where he built a home for he and his partner. Again the wandering spirit took hold of him and he travelled to Colorado, New York, Cape Breton, Vancouver, Thailand where he continued to use the skills he learned as a finishing carpenter to help building projects at Buddhist centres.

Steve loved the outdoors and spent a lot of his life camping, canoeing and hiking. He was an avid amateur photographer and took photos of all the places he visited.

Steve was cremated at Royal Oak Cemetary in Victoria, BC on December 8, 2015 and his ashes will be dispersed at a designated site of his choosing as per his wishes at a later time to be determined.

His family and friends will miss his kind and gentle soul, his great sense of humour. We wish to thank all those who helped him in his final days particularly Dr. Sadowski, Ron Puhky, Chuck Alsberg, Salt Spring Home Care Services and many others.

Steve’s final wish was for those wanting to make a contribution in memory of him could do so by making a donation to KDOL in support of three designated projects.

Steve will be lovingly remembered and missed by many close friends from his youth in hometown London, Ontario, especially lifelong buddies who wandered across the continent and beyond with him starting in the 1970s on a search for peace, love and beauty in this world.

Christina Webb STEVENS

(Nee Fowler)

March 25, 1928 – December 2, 2015

Chris passed away quietly on the evening of Wednesday, December 2nd, with her family at her side. Left to remember her are her devoted husband, Ken; children, Keith, Sharon, and Brian Stevens; daughter-in-law, Leanne Stevens; grandchildren, Dana, Kim, Sean, and Brodie.

In 1948, Chris met and married Ken and they lived, and raised their children, on Salt Spring Island. They moved to Parksville in 1990 and spent many years travelling in their RV. Chris had a happy full life and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

In keeping with her wishes, there will be no service. Those wishing to honour her memory may do so by making a donation in her name to Oceanside Hospice Society, 210 Crescent Road West, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1J9.?

To send a condolence to the family please visit

www.yatesfuneral.ca

YATES FUNERAL SERVICE & CREMATORIUM

(1.877.264.3848) in care of arrangements.

Janet Andersen

JAN. 21, 1939 – DEC. 2, 2015

We are sad to announce the passing of Janet Andersen (formerly Rolfsen, née Cochrane) on Salt Spring Island.

Janet was the youngest daughter of William Hutchin Cochrane and Lillian Rose Cochrane of Nanaimo.

She studied education at UBC, then lived abroad in London and Denmark in the mid-1960s before continuing studies at the University of Michigan.

She taught primary grades in Vancouver from 1975-99 at Charles Dickens Annex and Queen Mary Elementary, with one memorable exchange year in Australia’s Northern Territory.

Janet retired to Salt Spring, where she treasured her communities in the Wild & Woolly Rug Hookers, Salt Spring Trail and Nature Club and Salt Spring Island United Church. 

She continued to see the world, visiting Turkey, China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Costa Rica, among others — many as a solo traveller.

Janet leaves behind sons Torben and Erik (Lora), and granddaughters Sophie and Isla. She was predeceased by sisters Thora and Margaret, and is survived by sister Shirley and several nieces and nephews.

A service will be held Wednesday, December 9 at 10 a.m. at Salt Spring Island United Church. Refreshments to follow on site.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Raise a Reader in Vancouver, www.canadahelps.org/dn/11502.