Olive was born into a family of 5 sisters and 1 brother on June 25, 1927 in the community of Shellbrook, Alberta (very near Prince Albert). She was of Irish, Dutch and French descent. Olive lived in both Alberta and BC, and within her marriages, had 4 children: Lance Kayll, Lee Kayll, Drew Kayll, and Mary Kayll.

 Olive loved work and started her first job at the age of 16. Later, as leisure allowed, Olive enjoyed travel with her husband Jack, as well as bridge, reading; she relished being deeply involved with her family and the community.

 On a personal note, Olive was dedicated to her daily spiritual practice of Transcendental Meditation (TM), started in 1970, while living in Williams Lake.

 Working in both radio and newspaper – Olive rose to Manager of the Williams Lake Tribune for some time, assisting publisher Clive Stangoe, until 1975.

 In the 80s, she and beloved husband Jack, moved from Rimbey, Alberta to live in “Sidney by the Sea”.They were both enticed and enthralled after viewing and then purchasing a property at Water’s Edge Village in Saanichton.

 Olive was very proud of her and husband Jack’s service work with the Order of Eastern Star (an offshoot of the Masons), and for a time, they both thrived holding the positions of Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron within the Order.

 Olive loved to be engaged within her community. She thoroughly enjoyed volunteering both her time and energy to her retirement home at Amica Beechwood and even volunteered as “Chair” to the Board of Residents. Olive thrived while living in her retirement home; she so enjoyed everyone there.

 Among others, a very special thank you and acknowledgment to Olive’s table mates: Audrey Girard, Judy McDonald, Elly Linekin, Marina Emmond, who all helped to make Olive’s time at Beechwood rich with visits and meaningful relationships.

Mona May Mayer (68) passed away peacefully on September 5^th, 2023, at 5:00pm in Victoria, BC with her loving son close and her sister by her side.

Born May 31^st, 1955, in Whitehorse Yukon, Mona lived a life of love and care for her family, friends and especially her son, Justin. With her two siblings Sherry and Barry, and the rest of her extended family including Aunt Betty, she touched many people with her intelligence and her love for planet earth, animals, plants, flowers and all living beings.

Mona loved animals, was a vegan and had an intense passion for natural solutions and health. She loved arts and crafts, starting with sewing and quilting including making her own clothes and eventually taking up fine art painting. Her painting talents flourished, and she even got to the point of selling her artworks and prints. Numerous stores had her cards on display, and she sold more than she ever imagined when she first started. Her painting was her biggest accomplishment in life however she would say it was being a mother to her son. Always helping and loving him she would make any sacrifice for him, and she was truly a special and great mother.

Mona was a very nice lady to most people she met and while strong-willed and stubborn she was easily accommodating, worrying more about other people’s feelings and wellbeing than her own. She would give you the shirt off her back if you were feeling cold, only asking you to do the same in return if she needed. She had an intense love for nature and loved the fresh smell of the forest more than anyone. Drawn to nature and animals, she wanted to change and save the planet. Mona knew there was a problem with the Ozone layer before science ever publicized it as such, and she wanted to synthesize ozone to help with the warming planet.

Mona was an avid gardener and florist. She loved gardening and getting her hands dirty with plants and flowers. Wherever she lived she always had a robust and flourishing garden, often including a vegetable plot. Her green thumb was amazing yet to her she was just an amateur, always with great admiration for those she deemed more experienced or talented. Humble to the core, Mona lived a troubled life cut too short but a life full of perseverance and strength. She overcame many problems in her life to be successful in whatever she was doing, whether waitressing, gardening or painting.

She will be remembered by her family and friends and many people she touched with her Art or passions. She loved them more than anyone will ever know. When her time came to go into the Hospital her true colors showed and she faced it with humor and strength, making many nurses and friends and family laugh at her funny jokes and sense of humor. She will truly be missed by many.

Mona did not want a service, just to be cremated and have her goods sold at auction. Her son kept her wishes. Her website monamay.ca and art will be celebrated and maintained with art cards, prints and more available for sale, and is the best way to celebrate and remember her.