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

In Loving Memory of David Stuart Smith

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of David Stuart Smith on September 16th, 2025, following a long and courageous battle with kidney failure. Though David passed away in hospital, far from his children and grandchildren, he was surrounded in spirit by the love, thoughts, and prayers of all who knew him.

David lived a life defined by strength, kindness, and quiet perseverance. Despite facing ongoing health challenges, he met each one with dignity, resilience, and an unwavering sense of humour. His storytelling was one of his greatest gifts—especially when sharing memories and moments involving his children and their families.

David will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his children, Kassandra Scott and Riley Smith, their spouses Tyler and Brianna, and his cherished granddaughters: Isabel, Juliet, Lilian, and Violet. He is also survived by his stepmother, Beverley Smith.

David’s beloved father, Lynn Smith, passed away just 16 days later, on October 2nd, 2025. May they find eternal peace together on their next great adventure. David is also predeceased by his loving mother, Sharon Werry, and his older brother, Michael Smith.

He will be remembered for his generous spirit, gentle heart, and the thoughtful wisdom he offered so freely. His presence enriched the lives of all who knew him.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the medical teams and caregivers at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC, for their years of exceptional care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, donations in David’s memory may be made to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation in support of the Renal Unit.

A celebration of life will be held in Ontario at a later date, to be announced.

Though distance separated us in his final days, David’s love and light remain forever close in our hearts.

“Elbows up & fight every day.”

This season of Riley’s hockey is dedicated to Smitty.

Rest in peace, Dad. The pain is gone. May your spirit always surround us with love.

Topping, Brandon, born May 23, 1982, passed away August 20^th, 2025.  Brandon was predeceased by his mother Dawn, Auntie Cheryl and his grandfather – Oril.  He leaves behind his Grandmother Lu, his Aunties Cindy (Rick), Nancy and Uncle Brian (Wendy) and cousins Emily & Ignatious.  His son Benjamin (mother Angelique) and another son Hunter.

His struggles are over – his battles now rest.  RIP.

“The risk of love is loss, and the price of loss is grief – But the pain of grief is only a shadow when compared with the pain of never risking love.”