Tribute

It is with broken hearts that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of our beloved mother and wife on September 8th at Royal Columbian Hospital following a brief illness.

She leaves behind her husband and soulmate of 57+ years, David; her beloved daughters Christine (Amrrish), Stacey (Terry) and Sherri (Scott); her grandchildren Jessica (Mike), Brooke (Slater), Jack and Regan; brother Bill (Bonnie), her “twin” sister Vickie (Pat), sister-in-law Marilyn, and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Jim and Eleanor Hamilton, and her sister Barbara Hamilton.

Mom was born in Chilliwack where she spent her early childhood. Later the family moved to Silverdale to be nearer to extended family; this was where she married, had children, and took the art of homemaking to a whole new level. She was also very involved in the community – as a Brownie leader, volunteering in the kids’ school and helping organize Hot Dog Days and Christmas Pageants in the Silverdale Hall.  In 1975, she made Abbotsford home; raising her daughters, continuing to be involved in school functions and leading Brownies, Sports Days, field trips, bake sales, and co-creating a respected picture-framing business with Dad.

Mom loved her family fiercely and had such pride for her husband, her children and their partners, and her grandchildren.  On her 60^th birthday, a Hawaiian-themed party to honour one of her favorite places, she reflected on how she struggled for years to find her “calling in life”. On that day, however, surrounded by her beloved family and friends, she realized she had fulfilled her calling – to be the best wife, mother, grandmother and auntie that she could be. Truly, she was the centre of our universe.  She was the glue that bonded us together.  She was a guiding light in the darkness and her memory will always be our sunshine on the rainiest of days.

To her grandchildren, Grandma was everything – beyond her role as ‘Gram’, which she took very seriously, she was a confidante, counsellor, cheerleader, and best friend.  She will always be their rock!  We will always remember her hugs, her countless bedtime stories, her Grandma Fuji moments, countless fishing games as the Sea Monster, Quiddler matches, tennis hysterics, and beach baseball tournaments (that usually ended in laughing so hard we had to run for the ocean).  We will always remember the way she painstakingly peeled us fresh peaches in the mornings at their Parksville vacation home.  She caringly cut up chocolate bar assortments for game nights too.  She will always be remembered for her love of Orange Pekoe tea and the unconditional love she showed us all every day.

Above all, Mom loved and cherished her family. This was evident in so many ways, large and small.  She orchestrated so many family get-togethers, parties and traditions because it was so important to her that we maintain close bonds with one another.  The last couple of years were difficult ones caring for her older sister Barb throughout her extended illness and passing.  As was her way, Mom found the silver lining – she felt it brought her and her siblings even closer together.  In particular, the strong bond between her and her little sis, Vickie became unbreakable as a result of the many days they spent together. She also was privileged to strengthen her bond with her niece Erin and her kids.

Mom had a special place in her heart for kids.  Her love was far-reaching and extended beyond her own family; she was a second mom and grandma to her daughters’ and grandchildren’s friends as well as international students who also called her “Grandma”.  Even as those students moved on, their close relationships with Mom remained through Christmas cards and birthday wishes.  We have heard special memories from so many of them and the words they used to describe her have a common theme: kind, warm, welcoming and fun. She made our home a favourite hangout for so many kids.

Our Mom taught us so much.  She was an amazing baker and we will cherish her recipes and the memories of cooking alongside her: canning peaches, making relish, Christmas cookies and fruitcake (Pat’s fave). She also was an accomplished seamstress; sewing her own clothes, designing her own baby “Bubbles”, making wedding accessories and grad dresses. Mom was a fierce Scrabble competitor. Many Scrabble/Quiddler nights were spent with Sherri and Margaret.  More importantly, through her own actions she taught us all courage, strength, kindness, acceptance, grace, bravery, forgiveness and how to make a good memory out of even the simplest of things…and how to love with all your heart.  She faced many trials in her life and met them all head-on with quiet but relentless perseverance.

Mom treasured her lifelong friendship with her childhood friend Helen Sage, and cherished her 45-year friendship with neighbour and confidante Margaret Gowler.   Mom and Margaret shared innumerable tea and Scrabble parties, many laughs, and even attempted jogging and Tai Chi!

Mom loved being close to the ocean.  She made so many cherished memories on the many vacations she took with family to Maui.  She and Dad purchased a piece of property in Parksville B.C. approximately 20 years ago, where they made their summer home.  This was their happy place, and became like a second family hub.  There, with their kids, grandkids, extended family and friends, they gathered for vacations that were filled with so much love, fun, shenanigans, card games, beach trips and endless laughter.

Mom and Dad made many fond memories with the friends they found through the Parksville “Rock Steady” Parkinson’s boxing group and through their affiliation with the Surfside RV Resort.

In July, Mom was committed to the idea that she and Dad were going to make it to the Island for another vacation.  She and her family were so proud of her steadfast determination that she could do that trip on her own terms.  Unfortunately, although this trip started successfully, it was abruptly ended when she became ill.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the staff of the RCH Emergency Department, the Cardiac Unit, the CTU Red Team and the High Acuity Unit – especially to those who provided compassion and comfort at the time of Mom’s passing:  nurses Siulin, Angeline, Julia, Brendan and intensivist Dr. Fava.

Mom, we loved you every day, and now we will miss you every day.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mom’s memory to The Kidney Foundation of Canada, The Cyrus Centre (Abbotsford) or the B.C. Children’s Hospital.  Due to covid gathering restrictions, a celebration of Mom’s life will be held at a later date.