Janet Barbara Nevill aged 100 passed away peacefully at Greenwoods Eldercare Home on March 18, 2013. She will be lovingly be remembered by her son, Ralph (Nancy) Nevill Jr., grandsons, Max (Lua) and Finn, and great grandchildren Victor, Alice and Hazel. She is predeceased by her husband Ralph Sr., brother John, and sisters Carolyn, Peggy and Marion. B was born November 23, 1912 in Port Kells, BC to Henry & Ellen Tompson. Christened, Janet Barbara Tompson, B never liked the name Janet and at an early age insisted on being called by her second name Barbara – which was shortened over the years to just ‘B’. The family wishes to thank the staff at Greenwoods Eldercare Home for the wonderful care B received. Private family service by request. In lieu of flowers donations to the Ganges SPCA gratefully appreciated.

Michael Bruce Carson

Oct. 19, 1945 – Mar. 13, 2013

Our family is saddened by Michael’s passing from a chronic cardiac respiratory condition. He leaves son, David, daughter, Krystjana, daughter-in-law Kate, grandchildren Devon and Nicola, brothers Douglas and Edward [Joyce], and  life-long friend, Kate.

Michael was born in Winnipeg, lived in many Canadian cities then moved from Ontario to Salt Spring when he retired from teaching elementary school ten years ago. His happiest years were spent at his home in Fulford overlooking the ocean, with his grandchildren nearby.  He was a great supporter of Tree Frog Day Care and WOLFKids and will be remembered as a quiet, generous gentleman. A memorial celebration will be held on the island at the end of April. 

Patricia Yvonne Siemens

(Robinson), nee Danby

Siemens, Patricia Yvonne (Robinson), nee Danby passed away at Lady Minto Hospital on Saturday March 9, 2013, following a short illness. She is survived by her family: Gail and Patrick Beattie, Cindy Barclay (Andrew) and her grandsons Lee, Sam and Max. Patsy will be greatly missed by her sister Cheryl Danners (Bob) of Calgary, and her sister in law Diana McAteer (Ken) of Burnaby, her niece and nephews, her best friend Lynne Johnson (Isy Cohen) and her dear dog Winston. Predeceased by her second husband Boyd Siemens. Patsy was born May 9, 1932 in Vancouver where she met and married her first husband Ron Robinson. Together with their daughters they moved to Victoria in 1967, where Patsy returned to work first in radio at CJVI and then became Senior Editor at BC Hansard. In 1977, Patsy moved to Ottawa to pursue a career with Committee Reporting Service. All the while she worked in Ottawa Patsy continued to refer to herself as living on the coast, returning to Victoria at Christmas and each summer to resume her “real life”. In 1986 Patsy purchased a house on Salt Spring Island, and after meeting Boyd Siemens in 1990, she retired and took up full time residence here. Boyd and Patsy were married in the fall of 1991 and they travelled and golfed together until Boyd’s death in 1993. Shortly thereafter Patsy moved to her beloved custom built cottage in Fulford, sharing the acreage with Gail and Pat, and then moving in 2002 to her final home, her suite in their shared home on Wildwood Crescent. During her time on Salt Spring Patsy became a popular stage manager for local theatre productions, was active in Toastmasters, served on PARC, was the long-time chair of IWAV, and earned her reputation as Parliamentarian of choice for several island organizations. More recently she took up acrylic painting, and served as the chair of Community Education and as part of the board of Salt Spring Literacy Society, assisting her best friend Lynne with the organization and execution of the Giant Book Sale.

Patsy’s family are very grateful to the doctors and nurses at Lady Minto and Royal Jubilee Hospitals for their kindness and caring during Mom’s last days.

A celebration of Patsy’s life will be held at the Saltspring Island Sailing Club on Wednesday March 27 at 2 pm. Please join us to share stories and raise a glass of Scotch in Patsy’s honour. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, or a charity of your choice, in Patsy’s name.

Dekker, Cornelis Alexander

June 4, 1929 – March 5, 2013

It is with great sorrow that we have to bid farewell to Kees. He loved his family very much and was proud of each and everyone of them. Kees leaves behind his wife, Becca, her daughter Monica. Sister Jannie and Kees’ children: Piet (Tom) and their children Sean, Ryan and Derran, Mia (John) and her children Ian and David, Simon and his children Raelan, Kaely and Taisa, Bea and her children Christina and Kelsey, Rima (Nolan) and their children Talia and Zoe, and Lisa and her children, Chance, Danikka and Nola, as well as 10 great-grandchildren

Kees arrived in Canada in October 1958, from Holland. He was a surveyor in the north and in the United States and spent many years repairing for Hilton Photo.

Kees moved to Salt Spring Island in 1977 and has been the local camera repair man who performed miracles with his knowledge and skilled hands. He always had time for a long talk, and his stories were a large part of what made him unique. Many times we heard people say “He’s a master”. He repaired for around 25 years on Salt Spring Island.

Kees loved his dogs, cats and flowers.

We’ll miss you.

Love Becca and family

Norma Irene Stacey

Aug. 17, 1925 – Feb. 16, 2013

Much loved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Irene is survived by her sister, Sheila Stacey, daughters Penny Cavers, Judith Stacey and Elizabeth Stacey, and sons Tony Stacey and Neil Stacey. A longtime resident of Salt Spring, she will be missed by many friends.

Joanne Shirley Cartwright

May 29, 1926 – February 16, 2013

Joanne was blessed with a long and happy life. She was born and raised in Chilliwack where in high school she met the love of her life: Tom. After graduating as the top student, she studied at UBC and then in Seattle and became an orthoptic technician. She joined Tom in England, where he was stationed with the Royal Air Force. They married in London in 1950 and returned to Canada, where they settled down in Burnaby. In the 1970’s, Joanne returned to university, attending SFU to finish her degree, and became a teacher librarian, working in Surrey until her retirement in 1987. Tom and Joanne learned to ski when they were in their late 40s and remained dedicated skiiers until they were 82, often spending months at their condo at Big White. Tom and Joanne moved to Salt Spring Island full time after they retired. Joanne appreciated the view of the ocean from her place at the dining room table right until the end. Joanne was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother, a philanthropist, teacher, and world traveller. She enjoyed gardening, reading, sewing, and baking. Joanne and Tom loved art and supported the arts on Salt Spring. They volunteered at the library, supported many causes, especially environmental ones, and travelled the world. They were members of the Trail and Nature Club and Joanne was active with the University Women’s Club. Joanne was an extraordinary person. She was the most capable person we knew (along with Tom). She was smart, determined, practical, organized, and hard working. We will remember her generosity and kindness. Family came first for Joanne. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren. Joanne was predeceased by her parents Clifford and Mabel Ferguson. She is survived by her loving family: husband Thomas: children John (Judy), Jane (Alfred), Catherine (Desmond), and Robert: grandchildren Thomas, Patrick, Jacqueline, Caroline, Madeline, and Molly. There are so many people to thank for their kindness and devotion, especially Dr. Ron Reznick and Jean. Funeral services will be held 2:30 pm Saturday, March 2 at All Saints By-The-Sea, 110 Park Drive, Salt Spring Island, with reception following. An additional reception will be held at John and Judy’s house, 4366 Portland St., Burnaby, on Sunday March 3 at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lady Minto Hospital Fundation, 135 Crofton Road, Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 1T1, or the charity of your choice.

Donald Arthur Harry Madsen

Jan. 25, 1932 – Feb. 15, 2013

Passed away peacefully on February 15, 2013. Predeased by his wife Zella in 1999.

He will be sadly missed by his loving children Donna, Jeff, Paul (Kim) and Nancy (Richard) and his grandchildren, Alex, Andy, Chris, Cecelia, Jeff and Emily who were the light of his life.

No service by request. Donations gratefully accepted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation.