Robert (Bob) Nicholson

July 26, 1932 – July 25, 2015

Bob passed away peacefully 1 day before his 83rd Birthday. He will be forever loved and leaves a great void in the lives of his loving wife of 61+ years, Helen, his children, Son Grant (Tina) of Vero Beach, Florida and Daughter Lisa (Tom Butler-Cole) of Salt Spring, 5 Grandchildren: Andrea (Jordon Lowther), Adam, Ian (Islay), Amanda, and Robert and 5 Great Grandchildren: Jackson, Neil, Austin, Emmerson & Cyrus.

Bob was a kind, generous and thoughtful man who loved and respected family and friends. Born in Edmonton, Alta, then on to Vancouver where he attended John Oliver Secondary School where he met and married his High School Sweetheart Helen.

He started a career in the Neon Sign business and in 1963 moved his family to Sacramento, California to start his own sign shop. 13 years later back to B.C. and to Salt Spring Island to build their dream home and semi-retire. Bob took a part time job in Mouat’s Hardware Store that soon turned into full time. He had a stint as President of the Lion’s Club, but his Rheumatoid Arthritis was starting to take it’s toll, so again he retired – this time for good.

Even though we knew he was in pain, he never showed or complained about it as he lived every day with great pride.

The family would like to thank Dr. Beaver and the entire staff of Lady Minto Hospital, especially the Palliative Care Nurses and Staff.

Rest in Peace Dad. Your pain is now over.

No Service by Request. Donations in Bob’s memory may be made to the Salt Spring Branch of the SPCA or the Arthritis Foundation

Kirsten Ilse Foster

May 19, 1916 – July 11, 2015

Mom passed away peacefully at Hospice House in Vernon, BC after having fallen and broken her hip 5 weeks earlier.

Recently, Ilse celebrated her 99th birthday with her children on the dock at Secret Cove where she enjoyed a beer and strawberry shortcake decorated with tiny Danish flags. In the distance was Thormanby Island where the family has spent many happy summers.

Born in Copenhagen, Ilse immigrated to Canada when she was thirteen. She attended Point Grey High School and then UBC where she played basketball for the UBC Thunderbirds!

In 1940, she married Jim Butler. They rowed to Gambier Island for a camping honeymoon. Derek, their son, was still a little boy when Jim was killed during WW2. In 1949 Ilse married Jack Foster, and they had two daughters, Susan and Gillian. Ilse and Jack “pioneered” in West Vancouver until their retirement to Saltspring in 1975. There Ilse rekindled her love of tennis and golf and played into her eighties. Through sheer determination and hard work, she created a beautiful garden around the house they built on Dogwood Lane.

Mom had a beautiful sense of style and furnished our home with simple, but beautiful things. A huge health food fan long before it was fashionable, us kids remember granola, wheatgerm, lecithin, brewers yeast and kale all being daily offerings. Our clothes were hand-me-downs and she taught us the “thrill of the hunt” at thrift stores. Predeceased by Jack in 1991, Ilse was blessed to have yet another beautiful partner in Percy Dewar, with whom she lived in the bush on a mountaintop for several years before they both returned to Saltspring. No matter which mate, Mom was always solidly on their team, gamely rowing, fishing, sailing, hiking, golfing, playing bridge, building houses, milking goats etc.

Mom had several very happy years at Meadowbrook Assisted Living in Ganges, before moving to Vernon to live with her daughter Susan, and husband, Jim Chartrand. Her 5 years in Vernon were made happy by Susan and Jim and all their friends who then became Ilse’s friends. At 98, Mom was up dancing at a Summer Solstice party; right to the end she never wanted to miss out on any fun. She was always fiercely independent and determined. In Vernon Mom very much enjoyed going to “Daybreak” and “Minds in Motion”, two programs offered in Vernon.

Left behind to mourn (and marvel) are her children, Derek (Joan), Susan (Jim), Gillian (Rick), grandchildren Jennifer, Leanne, Tyler, Kaelen, Bronwyn, and Evan, and 5 great grandchildren. Also nieces and nephews including Janet Butler and Fiona Foster on Saltspring.

Knowing the end was near, Ilse said with a smile “Well I won’t make it to 100, but I think 99 is good enough!

No Service by request

SWINDLEHURST, Ann Elizabeth

Jan. 24, 1935 – July 9, 2015

Betty was an inspiration to us all. She lived life to the fullest, always with joy and laughter. An avid traveller, her family and friends never knew where her next adventure would take her. We stopped counting after 60 countries. When back at home, she loved spending time outdoors: hiking in the mountains, enjoying Saltspring and Hornby Islands, and of course spending time in her spectacular garden. A talented knitter, she was never far away from a pair of needles, or a wool shop, wherever her travels took her. She was a voracious reader, a keen debater, a good listener, and a key advisor, no matter what the topic. She encouraged us to follow our passions, and for her that was achieving her PhD in Educational Psychology and a long successful career in helping others.

She is joyfully remembered by her three children: David (Jackie), Neil (Wanda), and Catherine (Randy); six grandchildren: Stephen (Heather), Lisa (Cyrus), Sheila (Garry), Jenna, Ewan & Aidan; three great grandsons: Mason, Maddox & Maverick; her brothers: Hugh and Doug, and her sister Joan.

She was predeceased by her adventure-loving husband, Bob. We will miss you Betty, Mom, and Grandma.

A Celebration of her Life will be held at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 10037 – 84 Ave., Edmonton, AB, on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at 11:00 am.

Betty was passionate about helping children achieve an education throughout the world, so in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to PlanCanada.ca.

Condolences: www.serenity.ca

Serenity Funeral Service, South Edmonton

(780) 450-0101

Marjorie (Midge) Louise Mollin

1942 – 2015

We are sad to report the recent and peaceful passing of our mother in the capable and kind hands of the doctors and nurses of Lady Minto Hospital at Ganges on Salt Spring Island.

Marjorie leaves behind daughters Debbie, Jeanette, son Leonard, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

She will be remembered for her great sense of humour and welcoming heart to all those who knew her, she will be sadly missed.

A small family gathering will be held in Victoria.

Roswitha Denz, (nee Haevernick)

JUNE 11, 1934 – JULY 8, 2015

Our dearest Muttie, passed away unexpectedly at the Cowichan hospital on July 8, 2015.?Roswitha was born June 11, 1934, in Kassel, Germany to Doris (nee Von Nathusius) and Borwin Haevernick. She came to Duncan in 1957 to join her sister Oda and brother in law Horst Nowrath to help them with their young family and growing business. Her sister introduced her to Rolf Denz, and they were married in 1958. That year they bought the house that she lived in to her last days.

Roswitha and Rolf had a beautiful garden and she cultivated a broad knowledge of local plants and birds. She loved nature and was a longtime member of the hiking club. Rose enjoyed local history volunteering at the Cowichan Valley Museum. She was an avid reader and besides German literature her favourites were The Natural History of BC, and the Canadian History Magazine. She believed in the art of letter writing.

Besides raising her family Rose worked as a homemaker and was known for her gentle touch. Her family remembers her simple and delicious home cooked meals.?She was an aficionado of art history and encouraged a love of the arts in all her progeny. She belonged to the Crofton Art Group particularly enjoyed printmaking.

Roswitha’s greatest passion was music. She remembered her choir days fondly, regularly attended the symphony at the Cowichan Theatre. She enjoyed opera with her daughter Sylvia and more recently broadcasts of the Met. Her favourite composers were Mozart and Bach and she loved to hear her grandchildren play piano.

Roswitha enjoyed travel. She and Rolf travelled in Europe, New Zealand, throughout BC and Canada. Most recently she went to Mexico with Sylvia.?Though Roswitha was very practical, she was someone who moved in a world a few steps away from the mundane. She was known for her witty observations.

Rose is predeceased by daughter Doris 1967, brother Oskar 1998, husband Rolf 2011, niece Cordula Vogt, 2012. She will be greatly missed by Beate Denz (Joe Benge) Stefanie Denz(Lindsay MacQueen) Sylvia Denz (Denis Bridger), grandchildren Eamon, Aulden, Frieda and Ella Macqueen Denz, Thea and Maya Bridger Denz, sister Oda (Horst Nowrath) brother Konrad Haevernick, niece and god daughter Gwen(Phil Mladenov), nephew Bernard Nowrath (Wendy), Borwin Haevernick(Brigitte Bagus), Roland Haevernick (Juliane Spatz) and Albrecht Haevernick. The funeral will take place at Trinity Lutheran Church Duncan BC July 16, 1:30pm

In lieu of flowers make donations to the Duncan Basket Society, or Cowichan Estuary Centre http://www.cowichanestuary.ca

In loving memory of Dan Giles

July 12, 1930 – July 2, 2015

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Anna Rubinsky

Oct. 11, 1924 – June 25, 2015

Anna passed away surrounded by love, in her home on Cadboro Bay, on the evening of June 25, 2015.

Adventurous, independent, curious and determined, Anna was known by her copper walker parked at theatres and events worldwide.

Anna loved language in all its forms: stories, theatre, poetry, books and good intellectual discussion and debate. She enjoyed travelling the world and welcoming global travellers  into her home.

From a very young age, Anna loved to swim. Up until very recently, you could find her, walker parked at the water’s edge, swimming ever so happily in Durrance Lake.

Anna, daughter of Helena Goldberg and Teodor Dawidowicz, was born in Krakow, Poland, October 11, 1924. The war years saw her in Russia, Persia, and then Lebanon. After graduating from the American University of Beirut, she married Andre Rubinsky and came to Canada in 1955 after the birth of their two children. She was so proud of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and loved to host family events whenever she could.

Predeceased by her son, Yuri (1996) and husband Andre (2001), Anna will be missed by her daughter, Kathryn, son-in-law, John Akehurst, grandsons Jamie and Christopher, Jamie’s wife, Robyn, and great grandchildren, Annie and Fraser. We all loved her. Also missing her will be loving cousins, Adam, Litka, Marisha and Kasia, daughter-in-law, Holley (Yuri), sister-in-law, Tanya, brother-in-law, Eli(Marisha), and extended family and friends here, and around the world, who enjoyed her individuality.  

Her family is forever grateful to Loreta Maningo for the dedicated and loving care she gave Anna during her final years. Gratitude also to Helena and Stan for many years of caring for her and her home, and to Cait for being her swimming/outing friend.

Her wish to remain at home could not have been accomplished without the extraordinary service of Home and Community Care, the Palliative Response Team and the Red Cross. A heartfelt thank you from all of us.

A celebration of life will be held in Victoria in early August. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Victoria Hospice, Theatre Inconnu, or the Malala Fund. 

Please tell a story, read a poem or enjoy a swim in her memory.

Nancy Post

1948 – 2015

Nancy Post, born July 9th, 1948, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on June 15th 2015. She is survived by her daughters, Laura Redpath (Tyler Littlejohn), Jenny Redpath (Charles Gosset) and her grand daughters Elliotte and Addison Gosset.

Nancy lived a life of simple happiness and enjoyed her friends and family till the end of her life.

We will be having a celebration to say goodbye and remember her on June 21st from 12pm- 3pm with memories beginning at 1pm. 170 Simson Rd Salt Spring Island, please call 250-537-4415 for any questions.