Helen passed away on Canada Day after an especially long life. Her earliest memories were of soldiers coming back from the 1st World War.

Helen was born in Woodstock, Ontario, and lived in Ottawa until she married, at which time she moved to Alameda, California. She subsequently returned to Ottawa with two children in tow, took a job with the Civil Service and worked until her retirement twenty-five years later from the Ottawa Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection division. Helen had always been a hard worker who was well liked by her co-workers, so much so that their retirement gift to her was a paid trip to Vancouver on the “Centennial” train.

Helen lived in North Vancouver, near family, until moving to Salt Spring Island in October, 1992. A little cottage with a water view became her home until, sadly, she developed dementia and was admitted to Greenwoods Care Facility in 2001. Had Helen not been given such excellent care at Greenwoods, it is doubtful she would have lived for so many more years. She loved singing the old songs and, even with dementia, remembered all the words to many of her favourite songs.

When Helen was young she loved dancing and her three brothers, who have all predeceased her, played in the Berkley Kidd orchestra in Ottawa. Most of Helen’s close friends have also predeceased her.

Helen leaves behind a son, Wayne in Sacramento, a daughter, Beverley on Salt Spring, seven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. Her love of children showed with the special relationship she had with each of them.

Many thanks to the wonderful staff at Greenwoods, to her physician, Dr. Kalf, and to Holly Slakov, who attended at Helen’s passing. Helen will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Harris Patton

1938 ~ 2014

Harris was born on the family farm in Saskatchewan. As a young adult he worked his way west to Prince George where he met and married Dorothy, his wife of almost forty five years, and became instant Dad to Darcy, Peter and Brenda. The new family relocated to the Lower Mainland where they lived and worked until 1992 when they moved to their new home on Salt Spring Island.

Throughout his life Harris was an avid sportsman. He enjoyed playing softball, curling, hockey and golf, but he loved to watch any kind of sport.

Harris is survived by his loving wife Dorothy, children Darcy, Peter (Tracie), and Brenda (Neil), seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, his sisters Lorraine and Phyllis and their families. He was predeceased by his parents and his eldest sister.

May your God and my God teach compassion and forgiveness, and love to all.

Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Cars for Cancer, 1537 Hillside Ave., Victoria, B.C. V8T 4Y2

Gary Lundy

January 11 1937 – June 28 2014.

Son of Jeanette and Edwin, brother to Gerald and sister Marylou, Gary was married June 2, 1956 to Lynn Lundy. Family consists of seven sons Derrick, Terry, Kelly, Dale, Amos (and pre-deceased by John and Garlyn); 13 granddaughters and 4 grandsons; 5 great granddaughters and 6 great grandsons.                                                                                     

Started playing piano at age 4, played teenage dances with a band & later played in hotels around Windsor & Detroit. His music was Rock & Roll and Jazz. Worked at Canadian Linen, Ford Motor Co. & counseled troubled teenagers & then became a barber.

Moved to Salt Spring Island 1981 where he continued barbering and had his piano to play in-between appointments. His first playing job on Salt Spring was at Nan’s Restaurant now Rock Salt Cafe, did many social benefits with some fine musicians.

Enjoyed writing letters to the Driftwood & he would converse with his customers about them. In politics, he ran for the CRD. A great experience, meeting new friends and some new enemies.  Because of failing health he moved into Greenwoods Feb. 2013 where he spent his last days. With family by his side and “Here Comes the Sun” playing, Gary began his journey to the great gig in the sky on June 28, 2014.

Special thanks to Dr. Reznick, Jean Southgate, Irene Lundy, the great staff at Greenwoods and Lady Minto. There will be a celebration of Gary’s life on Saturday July 5, 2pm to 5pm at 162 Mobrae Avenue. If you wish, bring a drink, coffee and tea will be served along with some snacks and if anyone wishes to bring an instrument to play feel free.

Margaret Mary Briggs

1924 – 2014

Margaret emigrated from Britain in 1955 and after a year in Montreal, settled in Vancouver where she held positions involving staff training in the business world and teaching night courses, library assistant at Simon Fraser University and secretarial work for various medical institutions. Her last position, with the Vancouver Symphony, was the one she found most satisfying to her creative spirit. During her working life she wrote a novel, “Lost Identity”, published in 1968 by McClelland and Stewart.

In 1984 Margaret moved to Salt Spring. Her retirement years were filled with a creativity  nourished by nature and the delight she felt as she explored our island and its gifts. She was an excellent photographer, but then in her words “I discovered watercolour painting in 1987 and it changed my life…I paint for the sheer joy of it”. She later moved to oil painting and was actively working and planning the next painting until her final illness.

This was a lady with an enquiring mind and a huge gift for life and love; she endured years of chronic pain made bearable by her Catholic faith and deep, personal love for God. She loved her family, her friends, her Island – and she will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers a donation to the BCSPCA or charity of choice is appreciated.

Thank you to Dr. Chricton and his office assistant Jerry, the staff at Lady Minto Hospital, Maureen O’Brien, Tannis, Buck, Sylvan and all other staff and residents at Meadowbrook, also Sharon Glover and Ruth Liston for their kindness at this time.

A mass service will be held at Our Lady of Grace church July 5, 1:00pm, followed by internment at Central cemetery and a celebration tea at Meadowbrook at 2:30pm.

Amazing Annie Donaldson

Ann was born in Liverpool, England May 31, 1943 and passed away on Salt Spring Island June 25, 2014. Her last days were spent with her 2 loving daughters Katie and Wendy and many friends by her side. She was predeceased by her husband Bruce.

Ann will be greatly missed by her children Katie (Eddie) and Wendy (Martin) and grand children Jessica and Oliver.

Ann made the life changing move to Vancouver when she was 24, spent 24 years there then we were lucky enough to have her move to Salt Spring in ’91. She had a wonderful big smile and huge sense of humor that she shared with her many friends.

Ann eventually devoted much of her retired time on the Executives of The Lions Club, The Royal Canadian Legion and Croftonbrook, she took on tough jobs on those executives with skill and determination.

Annie loved music, especially The Beatles (born in Liverpool go figure) and Simon and Garfunkel and was usually the first to get up at a dance, alone or paired up didn’t matter.

We will miss our truly “Amazing Annie”

Details of a Celebration of Ann’s Life will be announced at a later date.

John Wiley Stack

March 28, 1924 – June 23, 2014

John Wiley Stack, 90, died June 23rd. Poet, writer, builder, farmer, (a pioneer of Salt Spring Farmers Market at what is now the Fishery), and a singer in Salt Spring Madness.

John is survived by his children: Kathy (Arthur), Jane (Jim) and John, grandchildren: Wiley and Miles, Great grands: Caleb, Dillan and Orion.

We Love You, our poet in the sky!

Josephine Margaret Campbell

April 26, 1917-June 15, 2014

Josie died peacefully at Parkwood Court in Victoria at the age of 97. Predeceased by Royden MacDougal her loving husband of 64 years, twin sister Marjorie Wisbey, brother Alan Staniforth and eldest son Hugh Wallace. Josie will be greatly missed by her children Virginia Parkhurst, daughter-in-law Catherine Campbell, Alan [Delma], Corinne Cole [Bill] and Bruce [Eleanor]. Also by her twelve grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

Josie was born in Aldersyde, Alberta, grew up in Canoe, B.C. and was a graduate of the 1939 UBC Agriculture class. In September 1939 she married Royden Campbell and they enjoyed 64 good years together. They raised their five children in West Vancouver then after retirement moved to an acreage on Salt Spring Island where they enjoyed their home, beautiful garden, good friends and for Josie, her spinning and weaving. When Royden died in 2004 Josie moved to Victoria where her large family continued to be the joy her life.

Mike lost his fight after suffering a tragic accident on April 22, 2014 off the coast of Phuket, Thailand while on holiday with his daughters.

Mike was born in Clinton, Ontario and has been a longtime Salt Spring Island resident since 1983 where he established his family run business, Domi Mfg in 1985.

He is survived by his wife Dora of 33 years; his children Michael, Patrick (Emily), Katie (Stephen), Kristi; his grandchildren Rowan, Rylee, Zachery; and his sisters Lorraine Schmid and Marjorie Mouat (Mike).

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Community Gospel Chapel on June 24, 2014 at 6 pm.