In loving memory of Leah Nicole Richardson

Deeply missed by, parents, David & Karen Richardson, sister Tara and brother in law David DeRusha and her loving nieces, Emma and Amelia

Today, we remember Leah’s life and celebrate all the wonderful memories we have.

Leah was an auntie, sister and daughter who loved her family deeply. So many wonderful memories and laughs were shared before she was taken too early. Leah will be remembered as a wonderfully spirited and adventurous soul who grew up fiercely competitive in anything she applied herself to. With the sense that she could conquer any challenge put in front of her, she quickly earned the name of Leah “I Can Do It” Richardson.

With one of the most infectious laughs, we can still hear her “Loo Laugh” from across the room today. She blessed so many people who had the opportunity to know her. Our little Loo will be missed tremendously. In this time of grieving, one thing which brings comfort is knowing that Leah is in heaven with Grandma, Grandpa and other loved ones who have passed, looking down on us with love.

Leah was born and raised in Squamish, B.C.  She loved her sports and played Ringette, Ice Hockey, Basketball, Volleyball, Snowboarding & Baseball. While living in Squamish, she enjoyed running and hiking the Chief.  Special family time was sailing on our family sailboat “Hat Trick”. She attended Thompson Rivers University and graduated with her BA in Business and Accounting. Leah moved to Vancouver Island and worked in Finance.

Many locals will remember Leah baking in the Eagle Run Coffee Company (Bean Café). She started when she was 14 and took pride in her scones, muffins and soups. She was a foodie with a passion and was always in the kitchen during family gatherings. We miss her spanakopita, chili and lemon scones.

Losing a child is something no parent is ever prepared for. We feel the heartbreak daily, facing the loss of our daughter, sister and auntie.

Leah, remembering you is easy, we do it every day, but the heartache is something that never goes away.

 

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed…
We feel lucky to have seen it

 

Love Mom, Dad, Tara, David, Emma & Amelia

                 

 

 

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Eleanor Bonin on February 6, 2024.

Eleanor was born in the small town of Newmill, Moray in the highlands of Scotland in 1936 to Isabella and Douglas. After graduating from school, she got her first job working in a woollen mill. She met her husband, Jim, while he was doing carpentry jobs around the mill. Jim had to complete his compulsory Army training in London, in the Scots Guards, who were stationed at Chelsea Barracks. During this time, Eleanor worked as a legal secretary in a law office in Keith, Moray. They dated for six years before marrying and made a stunning couple on their wedding day as Jim wore his Scots Guards uniform, complete with bearskin hat. A year later, their only child, Louise was born.

Eleanor and Jim owned several houses in Keith before eventually moving to Brighton, England where Jim was, by now, working as a Site Agent in charge of building sites at various locations in the south of England. They had a good life in Brighton for the next twelve years with their dog, Keeno. Sadly, Jim passed away suddenly at the age of 44, leaving Eleanor a widow. Eleanor decided to emigrate to Canada in 1981 in search of a new beginning as her two brothers were already Canadian citizens and her mother was a Canadian citizen by birth, so there was a strong connection to Canada. She settled in Vancouver and a year later, her daughter, Louise, also emigrated to Vancouver.

Eleanor lived with Louise for a few years when her grandchildren, Sarah and Ryan, were young and helped with school drop- offs and pick-ups. She was a kind and compassionate person, who cared about others. She lived with, and cared for her mother, Isabella, throughout most of their years in Vancouver. She was truly selfless when it came to family and was always willing to lend a listening ear and offer good advice. She was a strong advocate for people facing hardship and had a very kind heart.

Eleanor developed a passion for the French language during her time in Canada and studied it extensively. She read books that were written in French to sharpen her skills. She volunteered with a French club in Maillardville (the French quarter of Coquitlam) where she did crafts, like crocheting, knitting and making greeting cards, dreamcatchers and other ornaments which were sold at their events and was instrumental in starting a French writing class for the ladies with whom she socialized in the club. She met and married her second husband, Paul, who was a French Canadian and who was a collector of classic cars and other interesting antique memorabilia. One of his prize possessions was a beautifully restored 1938 Packard Roadster. She really enjoyed being driven around in the Packard whenever he was exhibiting it at an event. Together, they travelled to a number of places in the U.S., including a lovely trip to Hawaii, and made frequent trips to his cabin at Fawn Lake. She was always intrigued by the pioneer life and enjoyed reading about the lives of early pioneer women.

After taking ESL courses through Douglas College, she became a Teacher Aide, who home-schooled students in ESL. She also studied foot reflexology and her family members were sometimes the beneficiaries of a reflexology treatment when she visited. She was a good cook, always interested in trying out new healthy and delicious recipes. She enjoyed walking as her preferred exercise.

Along with her daughter, she joined the 78th Fraser Highlanders, best described as a military historical society. She was later inducted as a M’Lady, along with her daughter, and they enjoyed attending formal dinners at the Fort Fraser Garrison in Vancouver and hearing the resident Piper in attendance at these dinners. During their time with the Frasers, Eleanor and Louise took a trip to Montreal and Quebec in 2007 where they attended the “Dinner under the Stars” hosted by the 78th Frasers (Fort York Garrison) and witnessed a magnificent fireworks display afterwards. Eleanor had lots of fun practising her French in every coffee shop and store she visited during the trip.

Eleanor was a true romantic at heart and always had a story to share about someone special that she met. She carried her romantic dreams wherever she went and believed in fairy tales. She had a sweet, naivety to her nature. One of the questions she often pondered was “Do you make the journey, or does the journey make you?”

She met her partner, Jan, in 2016 and ended up living in Sidney and Saanich on Vancouver Island for the past eight years and when Jan passed away in late 2021, she shared an apartment with Renata in the same building. She was a frequent visitor to the Shoal Centre and could often be seen shopping in Sidney or having lunch at Beacon’s Landing, the Shoal Centre or the Waddling Dog Pub in Saanich. Eleanor was a truly beautiful soul, with a good heart, and is missed so much by her family and the people who knew her and whose lives she touched, even for a brief moment.

Eleanor will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Louise (Doug), her grandchildren, Sarah (Pav) and Ryan, her brother Stewart (Lorna), sister-in-law Joan and her nieces and nephews, Shoana (Tom), Celena (Dean), Douglas (Debbie), Colin, Ewen and Willis. She is predeceased by her father, Douglas (1940), who died in battle in WWII, her mother, Isabella (2005), her brother, Douglas (2023), her first husband, James (1980) and her second husband, Paul (2011). Arrangements are being made for a small gathering of family and friends to celebrate her life. Anyone wishing to honour Eleanor are invited to make a donation in her name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association or the Shoal Centre in Sidney.

                     

  

Wing-Kee Chan, 71, died on February 19, 2024, surrounded by his family.

He was born on August 17, 1952 in Kampar, Malaysia.  He expressed fondness for his childhood in a close-knit family with many siblings and cousins to wreak havoc with. After coming to Canada and graduating from the University of Alberta, he made the most of his bachelor life living all around the world, working as an expat and in true Wing-Kee fashion, made friends with everyone he met. When he moved back to Calgary, he met the love of his life, Kathy. She became his constant companion and was by his side through many adventures, raising their kids, traveling, eating good food and always laughing.

They went on to have two children, Sam and Victoria. Above anything else, he loved being a dad and he was great at it.  He was involved in every activity with his kids from basketball to camping, leading the local scout troop, and often he played just as hard or harder than all the kids. He was a compassionate Rotarian for many years and was involved in the student exchange program where his family hosted nine exchange students over the years.

The family expanded with the arrival of two amazing daughters-in-law, Courtney and Lauren. He really loved them, and they loved him back. Those two were like his partners in crime, always keeping him on his toes and ready for some good banter.

Moving to Victoria, BC after retirement allowed him year-round access to his favorite activities; cycling and fly fishing.  He went on countless fishing trips with friends and put thousands of kilometers on his road bike.

You could always count on Wing-Kee to walk into a room and create a spectacle, spark a curious conversation, make a child laugh (or cry) and have little regard for how loud he was speaking. His irresistible charm, caring nature and borderline inappropriate humor were boundless, filling every occasion with life and love.

He will never be forgotten by those who knew him and dearly missed by those that he loved.

There will be a celebration of life held in March. If you would like to make a donation, in lieu of flowers, please consider the Pacific Salmon Foundation.

https://psf.ca/donate/online/

Ian J. Reid of North Saanich, BC passed away on December 21, 2023 at age 87.

Ian was born to John and Yvette Reid (Gratton) on November 6, 1936, in Toronto.  He graduated from Royal Military College in May 1957 and spent the next 3 years training at the Royal Naval Engineering College in the UK.  Ian returned to Canada and completed certificates of competency in both marine and aeronautical engineering, and later his master’s degree in mechanical engineering.  His Naval service included postings to HMCS Bonaventure as flight deck engineer and HMCS Preserver as engineering officer, Squadron technical officer.  Ian also oversaw ship refits including a posting as Officer in charge at the Naval Engineering Test Establishment in Montreal. After serving 31 years in the Navy, Ian worked another 8 years as Coast Guard Chief of Fleet Policy and Planning before retiring to Victoria in 1991.  His Naval engineering skills were put to good use in his retirement, as he always owned a well-maintained boat which was well travelled with frequent day trips and several longer journeys every year.

Ian is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Eleanor, his five children, Andrew (Angela), David (Wanda), Barry, Cathy (John), and Brian (Maria), his 8 grandchildren, Michelle, Ian, Harrison, Hudson, Natalia, Claire, Jack and Betty, and his sister Yvette (Gilles). He was predeceased by his granddaughter Meghan. He will be dearly missed.

A private gathering for family and friends will be planned for a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Lung Association.