December 8, 1923 - December 19, 2010
Passed away peacefully with her loving family at her side at VGH on December 19, 2010. Born in Uppingham, England, Vera worked as a doctor’s assistant and then joined the English Army where she was a Sergeant Major in the Women’s Service and served as a cook from December 1, 1941 to December 14, 1945. During WWII, Vera expressed her wish one day that she would like to meet a “Canadian” and that is how she met Alan. They were married on September 26, 1945 in Saxby, Leicestershire, England. After marrying him she supported him in Europe with daily letters while he was in action. Vera arrived by the ship “Lady Nelson” as a war bride in Halifax on June 2, 1946, travelled for five days by train across Canada to Vancouver and then over to Victoria where she would raise a family of thirteen children, as mom often referred to as her “baker’s dozen”. Vera was predeceased by her parents, Charlotte and William and brothers Bill and Fred, step-brother Charlie and step-sister Emily. Vera is survived by her loving husband Alan, nine daughters and four sons, Keith (Colleen), Rose (Bernie), Neil (Debbie), Margaret (Rick), John (Jennifer), Brenda (Ian), Anne (Terry), Irene (Greg), Geoff (Kim), Dorothy (Dave), Carol (Dave), Maureen (Don) and Christine (Richard), 35 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren. Also by sisters Margaret and Elsie and brother John and several nieces and nephews in England. After Mom had raised her family, she used to ride her bicycle to work at the Lotto Centre in the Westshore Shopping Centre where she worked from 1985 – 2003. Mom was a wonderful cheery wife, mother, grandmother and friend every day. She would say “carry on London”. Mum was a great cook for years cooking on her wood stove baking bread, cakes, cookies and all food in quantity. Often, Mom asked “have you had enough to eat, all of you feeling alright?”. Mom loved her many precious flower and vegetable gardens and knew all the names of the various flowers and plants. The whole family would like to extend sincere thanks for the exceptional care and compassion by the doctors and nurses at VGH; Beacon Community Services and Knowing Heart Home Services who cared for Mum in so many loving ways. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm, December 28, 2010 at the Church of the Advent, 510 Mount View Ave, Colwood with interment to follow at Hatley Park cemetery. A tea party will follow in the church hall. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of BC.