Robert James Kelly left us far too soon, passing away May 27, 2024, after a brief illness. A familiar face in the Salt Spring community, Robert drew people to him with the gentle warmth of his smile, which embodied his innate generosity of spirit as well as the curiosity, humour and intelligence of a vibrant mind. Ever a quiet adventurer, lover of birds and beasts, follower of storytellers and poets, genuine friend, and devoted lover, Robert was a rarity among men. Predeceased by his partner of many years and many adventures, Sally Cole, Robert leaves behind his daughter Soleil Aellen, sisters Linda Osborne and Cheryl Ann Kelly, and his loving partner of later years, Tannice McKillop. His uncommon strength of character inspired unquestioning confidence and trust in these and so many others, and to the end he weathered the storms of life with stoicism and grace. Robert, Bobby, Big R, you are sorely missed. We love you.

In Loving Memory of Shirley June (Taylor) McIntyre, RN, BSc, Mrs, Daughter, Sister, Mom, Grandmother, Aunt, Student, Teacher, Card Reader, Cook & Baker, B&B Hostess, Master of all things needlework, volunteer, friend … July 13, 1927 – July 26, 2023 Shirley was born July 13, 1927 in Toronto, Ontario to Robert Taylor of England and Mary Fisher McBride of Maybole, Scotland; her sister, Frances Anna, followed a few years later. Shirley interned at Toronto Western Hospital and graduated with her RN Degree and went on to train as an OR nurse where, in the OR room of that very hospital, she met her future husband, Dr. John Addison McIntyre. As a young married couple with their first born daughter, Kathleen, in tow they settled in Uxbridge, Ontario, where Dr. McIntyre, as surgeon, opened Uxbridge Cottage Hospital in 1959; Shirley worked in the OR for a time. That same year her daughter, Meron, was born followed in quick succession by sons Ian and Todd. Shirley used her…

Terence (Terry) John Boswell July 10, 1944 – May 7, 2024 After many health battles fought and won, Terry has left us, just short of his 80th birthday. Always one with a joke or a laugh, he will be missed. Those of us who loved him are experiencing a huge, empty hole in our lives. Terry was predeceased by his wife Suzanne, his brother Roger and sister-in-law Nita. Left behind, his brothers Stephen, Michael (Kate), his nephew Joe (Lucy) and his partner Dianne. The family is holding a private celebration of Terry's life on his birthday.

Nicola de Boer Visser March 2, 1946 – May 28, 2024 It is with sadness that we have to announce the passing of Nieke de Boer Visser, on her own terms. She was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on March 2, 1946, to Nicolaas de Boer and Johanna Piels. She had an much older brother, Ger, who predeceased her in 2012. After her schooling in 1966, a Gymnasium, she went to the University of Amsterdam to do her medical degrees, which she finalized in 1973. At the Gymnasium in Amsterdam she met her future husband Kees. They married on October 10, 1969. After their doctoral degrees (Kees in geology), they left for Zambia in 1974, where she worked as a medical professional for the Health and Pollution Control Department of the Zambian mining industry. In 1982 they left Zambia for Calgary in Canada, where Kees was employed by Petro-Canada. Nieke discovered that Canada did not recognize her medical degrees which embittered her until her death. She found employment with t…

Tudor Davies, 1945 October 23 -- 2024 January Tudor Davies left this world on January 15th 2024 after a courageous battle with prostate cancer. Tudor was born in 1945 in Wales, a very proud Welshman. In 1964 he joined the Gloucestershire Constabulary and served until 1995. Tudor was a firearms officer and during the last seven years of his career he was attached to the Royal Household Protection group. He was posted at Highgrove House, then home of the Prince and Princess of Wales. This was an enjoyable time for Tudor as he could carry out his passion for bird and wildlife watching. He loved sharing his knowledge with the future King. After retiring from the police force he moved to Savannah, Georgia, where his family lived. Tudor returned to the UK in 1998 and later met Gwenlais Morgan – a meeting that was to totally change his life. In August 2012 he married Gwen, the love of his life. They moved to Canada and settled on Salt Spring Island where he joined Search and …

Dennis Marshall 1947–2024 Dennis was a deeply kind man with a big heart that drew people to him. He was one of those old time Saltspring characters who moved to the island to live a life his way, which he did with quiet accomplishment and great joy. Dennis loved Saltspring - the beach walks, the beauty of the land, playing on the water in his armada of boats, driving it’s bumpy roads with a menagerie of cars and motorcycles….but mostly, Dennis loved visiting — visiting with the people he called friends. Many of you will remember him as ‘the glass man’, who ran and owned S.S.I. Glass for 45 years. We thank you for welcoming us into your homes and trusting us with your glass. In his 40s Dennis bought a beautiful piece of land with its creek, its springs, its pond and its trees. Here he built the house he’d always envisioned. We filled it with things beautiful and odd and made it our home. It was his favourite place to be. Dennis always needed to be making things. He …

It is with deep sadness that the Bird Man of Creekside, Arthur Patrick Falardeau, one of Salt Spring Island’s beloved characters, passed away October 7th, 2023, well loved and peacefully at Greenwoods Long Term Care facility. Art was born in Kenora, Ontario, November 21, 1933. Art and I (Raven Fox, formerly Nikki Menard), spent 23 years together since 2000. Art’s first wife, mother of their children, Shirley passed a few years back. He is survived by Sharlene Caux, previous partner, Sandy Johnson, also a previous partner, his children, Bud, Patty, Robyn, David and Bonnie as well as grand children and great grandchildren and soon to be born as great great granddaughter. Art was a Renaissance man from the School of Life of which he was passionate about. Art was a storyteller extraordinaire mostly about his own life experiences. While in Kenora, Ontario, he was a homesteader where he raised his five children. He also raised milking cows, cattle, chickens, pigs and rabbits, d…

Dennis Lachlan McKelvie September 21, 1934 - January 8, 2024 Dorothy Joan McKelvie May 12, 1933 - January 8, 2024 It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Dennis Lachlan McKelvie (September 21, 1934) and Dorothy Joan (nee Kosmack) McKelvie (May 12, 1933), after courageous long term battles with extensive illnesses. As they shared a life of over 65 years together on this earth, they chose to leave it together thru the MAID program surrounded by family, January 8, 2024. Dennis grew up in New Liskeard, Ontario excelling at school and all sports. He went on to graduate from Haileybury School of Mines before accepting a full academic scholarship to Queens University earning a Bachelor of Science Geological Sciences (Engineering) degree. He taught Chemistry and was head basketball coach at Oakville’s George E Purdue High school before embarking on his career in geology, providing the impetus to move his family West (North Vancouver) in 1966. Over the next 40…

Sharon Ann Sykes passed away peacefully at the age of 71 on Friday, January 12th, 2024 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born on May 12, 1952 in Burnaby to Audree and Michael Falenda. Sharon is predeceased by both her mother and father as well as her younger brother Lorne. Sharon is survived by her sister Carol Renshaw (Jim), Husband Doug, her daughter Kimberly Beamish (Eric) and their boys Cameron and Jacob, and her daughter Amanda Cayford (Jason) and their boys Dexter and Greyston. Sharon cared deeply for her community and she was proud to call Salt Spring Island home. It brought her immense joy to watch everyone enjoy her Christmas window display at Mouat’s each season. Sharon loved to spend her days watching her daughters and grandsons play sports, especially baseball. She also enjoyed creating cake masterpieces and timeless crafts. Her favourite place to spend her time was on her porch with her spring flowers and surrounded by butterflies. If she w…

Jennifer Elizabeth Mary Steele July 27, 1985-December 28, 2023 With deep sorrow and broken hearts we want to let our friends and wider community know that we have lost our darling girl. Jennifer was born on the island 38 years ago and grew up here surrounded by loving family and friends. After graduating from high school she attended the University of Victoria and received her degree as a Registered Nurse. She worked for several years at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Victoria where she impacted many lives in her work with children. Her compassion and empathy for people made her an exceptional nurse. She had a special bond with animals, especially our myriad of family dogs. She loved the ocean, kayaking on the lake, music, painting and loved nothing more than a good laugh with her family and friends. She loved her family near and far and her many close friends and co-workers. She was predeceased by her beloved, older sister Courtenay, who she held close to her hear…

Lee William Kaslander died Wednesday December 6, 2023, at Lady Minto Hospital on Salt Spring Island. His old lungs could not fight off the pneumonia that followed a bad bout of stomach flu. He is survived by his wife Bev Franks; sons Jon (Kelly McKay) and Evan (Katrina); 4 grandchildren; sister Kris Omness and her son and family; Chris Ast, the mother of his sons; several cousins; Bev’s sisters Val and Terri and her mother Theresa. Lee was born on October 9, 1946, in Alma, Michigan to Leonard and Eunice (Converse) Kaslander. He attended Kalamazoo College, which included 6 months of foreign study in Erlangen, Germany. He and Chris then moved to Regina, Saskatchewan, where Lee earned an MSc in Chemistry. Instead of continuing in chemistry, he decided to join the new computer centre in the Saskatchewan government. He spent the next 25 or so years working in the IT industry in Saskatchewan, Yukon, British Columbia, Washington state, California and where-ever else he was sent. …

Judy Nurse (nee Watson) passed away peacefully, at home and on her own terms December 14th, 2023. Judy's final days and weeks were filled with gratitude. She lived a happy and fulfilling life to the end, surrounded by those she cherished most. Judy is survived by her husband Murray Nurse, brother Gerry Watson, children Laura Morris (Roger), Michael Nurse, and Heather Connolly (Darragh) as well as grandchildren Caiden & Jeremy Morris and Sam & Julia Connolly. A celebration of life will be held in the new year. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following charities: Salt Spring Public Library, Salt Spring Foundation or Stqeeye’, an indigenous-run, not-for-profit organization based in BC.

Julia Ann Hope Matthews (nee Spencer), 77, of Salt Spring Island, BC, passed away on December 7, 2023, after a short battle with illness. She was surrounded by love and family at the time she passed. Julie, born on November 26, 1946 to parents Alexander and Helen Spencer in Port Alice, BC, where they lived until moving to Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan in 1954 where she grew up. In 1966, she met the love of her life, Blain Matthews, and they wed on March 11th,1967, going on to have four children, Angie, Jackie, Allen and Jason. In 1975, the family moved to Salt Spring Island to be closer to family and work than resided 48 years there. Julie loved being in the community, especially being at the Salt Spring Island Market selling her jams and jellies under the name Angel Cottage, we will miss these treasures. Julie has reunited with her parents, her loving husband Blain, and brother Douglas. Julie is survived by her children Angie (Darin), Jackie (Dave), Allen (Stacey) and…

Rita Eugenie Marie Dods (nee Hudon) April 13, 1931 - August 27, 2023 RITA DODS, known as “Mom” or “Grammy” to her treasured loved ones and extended family, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2023, with loving family and friends at her side, at the age of 92, after a brief battle with leukemia. She braved it all with her infectious smile to the end. Rita was born in Rosetown, Saskatchewan, the youngest of eight children born to Léa and Joseph Hudon. She always said that she was the caboose and “they saved the best for last”. The family moved to Victoria in 1943 where her Dad accepted work as a blacksmith. Rita, her sister Térèse, Mum, Dad, Grandfather and Uncle all resided together, supported with additional income from their family-run boarding house. Rita loved attending school at Esquimalt Secondary. Her dream was to be a nurse but, as her mother became ill and required assistance with the boarding house tasks, she was forced to drop out of school in Grade 10, sadl…

Graham Guenther was born July 3, 1979, to Jack and Connie Guenther. He was the eldest of 7 and grew up in a big happy family in Medicine Hat, Alberta. He was the beloved older brother to Carlee Dynes, Emily Meldrum, Grant Guenther, Kim Cote, Nathan Guenther and Laurie Guenther. He leaves behind his wife, Lea, and his three children Finnegan, Jude and Wren. Graham was his own man. He lived exactly how he liked. He rarely cared about convention, listened to wild and eclectic international music, he dressed like a disgraced aristocrat. He was flamboyant and affectionate, passionate and beautiful. He loved the forests and wild places and usually made his own path, searching out unknown beaches and glorious picnic spots. He lived it, fully. He loved his boys and his woman with abandon. His heart trusted. He was a beloved father, always taking his boys on adventures and fun excursions. They loved to drive up to Cumberland together and explore biking trails or he would t…

In Memoriam: Joseph John Clarke - August 20, 1944 – September 23, 2023 Joseph John Clarke, a man of profound integrity and wisdom, passed away peacefully on the eve of September 23, 2023, at Cowichan Lodge, where he had been under compassionate care. Born on August 20, 1944, in Vancouver to Jean and Arthur Clarke, he was the eldest of five beloved children. Joe's inquisitive mind and love for learning were evident from an early age, a trait he carried throughout his life. He pursued education at Magee High School and later at the University of British Columbia, graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in the Class of 1967. Athletics and sports played a significant role in his youth, where he excelled in baseball and rugby, igniting a lifelong passion for sports as both a participant and an avid spectator. In 1963, fate introduced him to Claudia through friends, and their lively and often challenging adventure together began. They exchanged vows in 1968, es…