September 18, 1916 – February 5, 2012

My dear mother Margaret left us on February 5th at the age of 95 surrounded by her loving family.  She moved to Salt Spring from Thunder Bay, Ontario to live with us in 2003. For the past 5 years Mom resided at the ECU of Lady Minto Hosptial where she was cared for by the loving staff.  

She will be missed for her brilliant honesty, strength of character, wit and courage. She will always be our Nana Banana, will always be in our hearts reminding us to do our best and will always be our guiding light.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband Ross Gardiner Stafford in 1974.

She leaves behind her daughter Jane (Grant) and grandsons Eben, Hugh and Daniel of Salt Spring Island  and her son Earl (Shirley) and grandchildren, Jennifer, Ava, Paul and David of Winnipeg.

A gathering to celebrate her life will be held in Thunder Bay at a later date.  

Emma Jane Davis (nee Leng) passed away peacefully on Feb. 5, 2012, in Lady Minto Hospital, surrounded by her family.

Emma, born in 1925 in Sunderland England, moved to Canada in 1946 as a warbride of Benjamin (Ted) Davis who was in the RCAF in England. They lived in Saskatchewan and in 1988 moved to Salt Spring Island. Ted passed away with Alzheimer’s in 1995, and Emma began a new era of her life, as a resource for others in the Caregiver’s Support Group, and with her many cherished friends who supported her during her brief illness.

Emma leaves behind her children Paul (Ginny), Jean (Carl) and 6 grandchildren Dan, Tim, Jolene, Laura, Phillip, Richard, (predeceased by Michelle) and 5 great-grand children.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, to the Alzheimer’s Society or the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation. No Service as requested by Emma.

Jay Nixon

1927-2012

Born in Bokoshi, Oklahoma, Jay served in two wars,

for different US services.

Jay was in the navy during the Pacific Campaign of WWII and the infantry in Korea. He used the GI Bill to obtain his degree, which he applied to work in aerospace, communications and marketing.

Jay’s pioneering spirit took him far afield, breaking new ground for various companies. He lived life with gusto and loved adventure.

Jay and his wife moved to the Gulf Islands in 1985, first on Secret Island, and finally in 1999 to Salt Spring Island.

Jay died peacefully at home on January 25. He will mostly be remembered for his “large presence’, loyalty to friends and life experiences.

Jay is survived by his wife Peggy, sons Gary, Mike and Jason, their wives and seven grandchildren.

There will be a celebration of his life at Home Saturday, March 3 from 3 to 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation.

Don Conley performs a recital of music expressing all aspects of love. Free music followed by muffin & coffee for $2. All Saints Anglican Church, 10:10 AM

After a brief illness and a long full life, Pam passed away on January 30. Pam was predeceased by her loving husband Richard in 1987.

Pam believed in giving back to the community. Following her retirement as activity director at Greenwoods she continued to volunteer there for 20 years.

A woman of great strength, courage and kindness, she radiated warmth and generosity to those who knew her. Her positive attitude and great gusto for life will be sadly missed by her 5 children; Mike, Anne, Penny, Chris, Linda, and their spouses and families. She also leaves behind her sister Mary Crill in Jersey, U.K.

Pam was a wonderful friend, mum and granny extraordinaire.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Greenwoods Eldercare Society.

An informal gathering to celebrate her life will be held at a later date.

“A dewdrop on a rose petal.

“An intricate weaving of bold,

bright colours.”

Rick was taken from us suddenly and too soon on January 22, 2012, at the age of 61. Rick is survived by his daughter, Sunita Le Gallou, and his sister, Barbara Paulhus. Rick was born in Saskatchewan but made his home on Salt Spring Island for the last 25 years. He loved the ocean, could name all the constellations, and read countless numbers of books. Love and miss you always, Dad. A memorial service was held at the Sailing Club on Sunday, January 29.

Born June 29, 1918 in Calgary, AB. Passed away in LMH on Jan. 18, 2012. Les lived in Vancouver until coming to SSI in 1970. He is survived by his wife Jackie, his daughter Joanne (Pat), son David, 5 grandchildren and

7 great-grandchildren. The family extends thanks to the staff at LMH & especially to Dr. Woodley.

There will be no service.

Feb. 15 1915 – Jan. 16 2012

Elizabeth (Betty) Gibson was born in Clinton Township, Lincoln County, Ontario on February 5, 1915, and passed away at the age of 96 on January 16, 2012 at Greenwoods Home in Ganges, Salt Spring Island, BC. She is survived by her husband Andrew, by their daughter Molly Van Poelgeest, and by grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Betty was a Registered Nurse in Ontario, and practiced professionally in many locations in Canada and the U.S.A. until retiring to Salt Spring Island in 1984.

Betty had been an accomplished equestrienne as a young woman, and remained interested all of her life. Following retirement her home interests were principally gardens, flowers and birds, while beyond the home she was active in different organizations devoted to the betterment of society locally and beyond. She was one of the first members of The Raging Grannies, who, by means of song, satire and humour, directed a critical eye on genetic manipulation, certain forestry and fisheries practices, and on many other threats to our society.

Betty was one of the founding members of OGIFA, the Ometepe-Gulf Islands Friendship Association, devoted to helping the people of Nicaragua, principally on Ometepe Island, by importing their coffee at the Fair Trade price, and using the proceeds from sales here to finance many much-needed improvements in their lives, such as schools, roads, water lines, and a small loans bank for women’s enterprises. Betty visited Nicaragua many times, proving, in her seventies, that she could handle a spirited horse on the challenging back-country roads.

We would like to express our grateful appreciation for the superb care that Betty has received during this time and for the last twenty five years from Dr. Janet McPhail. We also thank the staff of Greenwoods Care Home, whose kindly and efficient professionalism was very important to Betty and to her family during the final months of her life.

There will be a celebration of her life at her home on Saturday, February 18, 1 to 3 p.m.

After a long and very courageous battle with ovarian cancer, Pam conceded the fight January 13th.  Born October 25, 1940 and raised on Pender Island Pam is predeceased by her parents Madge and Don Cousineau, her brother and sister-in-law Jim and Peggy Cousineau and sister Phyllis Chandler.  Pam is survived by her husband of 49 years, Bob, their children, Mike (Trish) and Trish (Glenn), 6 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.  Pam will be remembered for putting family first, her love of boating and the Gulf Islands. No service by request.

After a long and very courageous battle with ovarian cancer, Pam conceded the fight January 13th.  Born October 25, 1940 and raised on Pender Island Pam is predeceased by her parents Madge and Don Cousineau, her brother and sister-in-law Jim and Peggy Cousineau and sister Phyllis Chandler.  Pam is survived by her husband of 49 years, Bob, their children, Mike (Trish) and Trish (Glenn), 6 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.  Pam will be remembered for putting family first, her love of boating and the Gulf Islands. No service by request.