As a young girl Maureen Anna Sleep moved to the Sunshine Coast and grew up there living with the Wallis family in Roberts Creek and later moved to Gibsons. She was in the first graduating class of Elphinstone Secondary in 1952.
Maureen met her husband Don during a winter day of sledding. She was married to him for over 60 years. She went on to become a much loved school teacher on the Sunshine Coast until her retirement in 1999.
Maureen was a very active community volunteer throughout her life. Some of the many groups she volunteered with included the Sunshine Coast Hospice and Saint Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary. Over the last few years, she spent much of her time caring for her husband Don and the other residents of Christenson Village where she was a tireless advocate for the residents and also taught many of them to play bridge.
She will be remembered fondly by her friends, family, and community as a thoughtful listener, a wonderful storyteller, and a compassionate friend. She had a warm heart, a quick wit and remained herself until her final days. She truly lived her life not for herself but for everyone around her. Maureen is survived by her husband Don; her three sons John (Eleanor), Steve (Sue), and Tom ( Melanie); and her six grandchildren Chelsea, Colwyn, Sebastian, Harrison, Matthew, and Graeme, who will survive to carry on her legacy.
A memorial is planned for Saturday, January 9, at 2pm at Gibsons Legion. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sunshine Cost Hospice Society or the Good Samaritan Christenson Village.