1917 ~ 2012
My mom passed away peacefully on June 19, 2012 at Christenson Village. She was predeceased by her loving husband Charles Wilkie McCaw and her beloved son, Peter Cameron McCaw. She is survived by her daughter Nanci Jean McCaw; her loving nephews Richard McCaw, John McCaw and Cameron McCaw; and her nieces Jill McCaw, Carol Schufelt, Rena McBride and Heather Westover; also Melvina McCaw, Marylou Richards and Diane Birch, whom she loved as daughters. I cannot forget Daisy-Myrne McCaw, my 12-year-old English bulldog, whom Mom referred to as her only grandchild.
What a life she led! My mom was born in 1917 and, at the age of two, went with my grandparents to live in Japan for two years. She learned Japanese right along with English. Maybe because of that early experience, she never lost her curiosity about life. She was always up to new challenges. After my brother and father died, she left her beloved Eastern Townships in Quebec and, at the age of 79, moved to Gibsons so I would not have to travel across the country. She was a talented musician and played five instruments, taking up the ukulele four months ago. Mom was a graduate of McGill University and was a published author. What I will always remember about my mom was her kindness. Never in the sixty years that I was blessed with her in my life did I hear her say a mean-spirited word about anyone. Although she constantly changed with the times — imagine having a teenage daughter (particularly me) in the sixties — she was always the ultimate lady. My mother taught me the lessons of life with love, kindness and example.
They say that blood is thicker than water. I feel that The Universe is stronger than blood. I am adopted and The Universe knew exactly what it was doing when it placed me in the loving arms of my parents. My mom left me a note to be read after she died. She wrote: “I am so blessed that God gave you to me.” I couldn’t have said it better.
There will be a Celebration of Life at Christenson Village, 585 Shaw Road, Gibsons, on Thursday, July 19, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation.