It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Daphne Tomblin; friend, inspiration, and a true force of nature. She died peacefully on January 7th, 2026, in Nanaimo General Hospital surrounded by her grandsons, and some of her closest friends. Her perseverance and caring will live on in our hearts, and hopefully so will the lessons she taught us.

Born Yvonne Daphne Beveridge in England in 1931 where she grew up with her parents David and Elsie, and sister Barbara. She moved to Canada shortly after marriage to then husband Peter Tomblin, where she trained and worked as a hospital laboratory technician, and raised her two boys. She loved the outdoors, and was active in camping, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, and orienteering. Animals always had a special place in her heart, especially her dogs.

She moved to Vancouver Island in 1985 where she turned her love of animals and unbounded energy into a successful boarding kennel business, which she dedicated her life to until her retirement.

After retirement, her energy and love for animals was expressed through dog agility, and later sheep herding, where she developed many close friendships she would treasure for the rest of her life. She competed at a national level in agility into her 80’s, and is an inspiration for many. Even to her final days she would be out in the woods walking her dogs every morning and she wouldn’t want it any other way.

Daphne is survived by her two sons, David (Karen) and Paul (Vicki Robinson); her grandchildren Brad (Carly), James (Lisa Schlosser), Liane Tomblin and Alyssa Harrington (James Harrington); great-grandchildren Nash, Graham, Alexandra, Desmond, and Maeby; and much loved dogs Kody and Del.

There will be no service by her request, but a celebration of life to be held this spring. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to various dog rescue societies in tribute.

 

Memory Eternal

Mark Robert Laramore passed away unexpectedly, at the Victoria General Hospital, on November 29, 2025.

Mark was born, in Ontario; the youngest child of the late Thomas and Norma Jean Laramore.

Mark is survived by his loving common-law partner of 25 beautiful years, Elie Abourizk. Mark and Elie were each other’s beloved, soul mate, and best friend.

Mark will be lovingly remembered by his sons Tyler and Mathew, his ex-wife (and best friend) Darlene Palmer, his sister Ruth, brother-in-law Bob, nephew Rob (Louise) and niece Julie Prankard.

Mark is preceded in passing by his brother John, who is survived by his wife Margaret, nephew David and niece Cathy(Justin) and their children.

Mark will also be fondly remembered by his step-siblings: Linda, Paulette, Cathy, Ken, their spouses and their families.

Mark was an amazing, dedicated and loving father. He always looked after his family. His boys will always remember his love, support, help and advice throughout his life. They will fondly remember their week-end breakfast outings, their travels especially the Toronto and Niagara trips, and the good times in Florida.

Mark’s big and blended family will always remember the many happy times shared together, his laughter and jokes, the memorable trips in his youth to St Pete’s Beach, the cherished times spent in Naples Florida, the many travels and adventures over the years with Elie, the hikes, and the walks (he loved to walk).

Mark loved Vancouver Island and Sidney (often referred to both as “paradise”); which he called home with Elie since 2022. He also loved to read (Mystery & Bios), enjoyed his black coffee, sweets and Elie’s Lebanese food, and a quiet evening watching British mysteries and crime shows, and of course the Golden Girls. Mark enjoyed telling stories and listening to stories told by his loved ones. He was inquisitive, curious and loved to learn new things especially IT. He loved to plan travels, to help friends plan their travel, and to get the best deals.

Being with him, no matter where, no matter when, no matter doing what was a blessing, for Elie.

Mark’s touched a lot of lives during his life journey and family, friends, neighbors, will always remember his gentle soul, big heart, kindness, cheerfulness, helpfulness, his jokes, dedication, and loyalty.

Mark was also a hard working and dedicated federal public servant. His vast expertise helped the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), its clients and his colleagues. His CBSA family will always remember his career long contributions, his outgoing and open personality, his mentoring, his advice and his jokes.

Mark’s resting place will be in Ottawa, at the Beechwood cemetery. The ceremony to put his ashes in his final resting place will be taking place, late spring/early summer. A celebration  of his life will also be taking place, in Ottawa, in late spring/early summer as well. Details will be shared in the future by his partner Elie.

Mark, may your soul rest in eternal peace!

You will always be remembered!

You will always be, in our hearts!

On October 9, 2025, surrounded by family at home Ahmed Shazly lost his battle to cancer at the age of 77 years young. Left to mourn are his wife of 49 years Valerie, his son Neill (Jen and Lilly), brothers Ibrahim (Wafaa) and Amr.

Ahmed was born in Alexandria, Egypt on January 5, 1948, where he began his journey as a young man to explore life. After receiving his civil engineering degree and working for a short time in Egypt, he began to seek a new opportunity in career and life by immigrating to Canada in 1973. He arrived in Calgary joining his special university friends. It is here where he met his future wife Valerie. In 1976 they got married and had two sons, Neill and Jason. Ahmed was a devoted husband and father and his family were always his priority. His life was a blessing to them and his memory will be a treasure forever.

Employment opportunities took him to Edmonton in 1975 where he also obtained his Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from U. A. For the next 50 plus years, he pursued in his profession and put his heart and mind into it. He always had a solution for any problem and was often called by his colleagues as an engineer with an “out of the box engineering mind”.

In parallel with his engineering career, he developed his love for woodworking at a young age and continued all through his life till he achieved building his dream summer family house on Savary Island. He spent his retired years creating in his workshop while listening to his favourite Egyptian artist Umm Kulthum. This brought him peace, calmness, and always a big smile of satisfaction on his face. He especially enjoyed sitting on the deck in Victoria or at the cottage participating in a discussion of history, politics, nature or just simply reminiscing. Ahmed led his career and personal life standing to his principals and always tried to help anyone he could.

Ahmed was predeceased by his son Jason, sister Soraya, brother-in-law Mohamed, mother Attiat El Sayed and father Mohamed El Shazly and his four legged companions Cosmo and Dante.

The family would like to thank Victoria Home and Community medical team for their warm and responsive support during this difficult time.

At Ahmed’s request there will be no funeral. He was deeply grateful for the love and shared memories he received from his family and friends from all parts of the world in the last few months.

 

Trudy Cribbs, age 79, of Brentwood Bay, BC, passed away on November 13, 2025.

Born December 27, 1945 in Edmonton, AB, to Edward and Lydia Schultz.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Robert, her children Michelle and Greg (Marisa), and two grandchildren, Lance and Danica.

Trudy was fortunate to have Cribbs family members doting on her in her last days, spent in the palliative care unit at Saanich Peninsula Hospital.

Family was of utmost importance to Trudy.

She was very energetic and social. Her home was a gathering spot for family and friends.

Grandma was likely her favourite title, only slightly ahead of Mom. Trudy was so happy to be a big part of her grandchildren’s lives.

The family so appreciated the care by staff at SPH.

One Day at a Time was a favourite saying of Trudy’s.

At Trudy’s request, no service will be held.

Memorial Donations may be made in Trudy’s name to:

BC Cancer (118818434RR001)

Parkinson Society BC (118801240RR0001)

Today we lost a Canadian pioneer!
Olive was born in Desford, MB and was raised near the farming community of Boissevain, MB. In 1950, after completing Home Economics training in Brandon, she responded to a newspaper ad for work at the Trans-Canada Motel and Restaurant at Westhawk Lake, MB. There, she met Adolph and they were married in 1951. They built and for 10 years operated, a tourist resort, Lakeside Cabins, on Westhawk Lake in the up and coming recreational area which would become the Whiteshell Provincial Park. They were innovators and by the spring of 1951, Lakeside had five cabins in a row and the lakeshore ones had electric lights (from a 32-volt Delco plant) and cold running water to kitchen sinks. They were deemed the most modern cabins in the Whiteshell! Many of the strangers that came to Lakeside for a week or two each summer became their lifelong friends.
In 1962, they sold Lakeside Cabins and built a new home at the Toniata Junction, between the townsites of Westhawk and Falcon Lakes. Olive went to work at another tourist resort, Tall Pine Lodges. She was also very active in the community through the Tea-Time Ladies Club in the early ‘50’s, West Hawk United Church, Toastmasters and the Birchwood Ladies Club. She did a lot of the organizing for the fall feast dinners and ‘Owl-i-days’ She was a contributor to the Whiteshell Echo paper for many years.
Olive was a gifted seamstress, quilter, knitter and crocheter. Her greatest joy came from helping others, whether it was teaching girls how to knit and sew, baking for the baking sales and fall dinners, mending someone’s clothes or sewing costumes. Our home was always open and there was always a place at the table for any and all of our friends. She also wrote and published a hardcover book, the History and Folklore of the Whiteshell Park – South, a collection of anecdotes from the early residents and cottagers who established the new park as a cottage country. This book is still in demand after a second printing and has become a cherished keepsake in many cottages of the Whiteshell.
In 1999, as the burden of living in the remoteness of the Park became too much for them, Adolph and Olive moved to Victoria to be closer to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and to have a chance to have them more in their lives.
Unfortunately, dementia stole her personality, mobility and communication in the latter years of her life. She was a favourite of the staff members at Sidney All Care Residences, where she lived since 2018.
Olive was pre-deceased by her husband Adolph in 2011, her parents, siblings Ralph, George and Frances. She is survived by her youngest sister, Elizabeth (Oakbank, MB), children Wayne (Jo-Anne) and Audrey (Lewis), five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
As Olive closed out the History and Folklore of the Whiteshell Park – South:
“The time has come to close the book –
Like closing the cottage each fall,
We will go back – for just one last look –
One last glance, one last memory, ….
Finally, this year it’s coming to ‘the End’.”
Be at peace, Mom.
No service