Feb. 20, 1931 – Oct. 8, 2012
Our dear sister passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Comox after a year long struggle with cancer. She is survived by her three sisters; Dulcie Hamilton, Georgie Smith and Julie Malcolm. Nephews and nieces Edgar (Mary Ann), Phillip (Debbie), Roderick (Joanne), Douglas (Trish) and Leslie (Peter) and close friend Myra Orr. Also many great and great-great nephews and nieces.
Chere’s life began on the family dairy farm on Mt. Newton Cross Road in Saanichton, BC. Her early school years were spent in Victoria. A family move to the Comox Valley had her finishing school at the original Courtenay High School, which is now demolished, and then she attended Normal School back in Victoria to attain her teaching certification.
Chere spent 4 years travelling to many remote BC locations as a young teacher. Chere’s love of travel soon lured her to Great Britain and the Continent after which she returned home to resume her education at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria as a laboratory technologist. She worked at the Veterans Hospital for seven years. After further training she became a microbiology technologist progressing from Med Tech 1 to Med Tech 3. Soon after acquiring work at Shaughnessy Hospital in Vancouver, in 1965, she became the microbiology section supervisor, a position which she held for the next 21 years of her career. After retirement she moved back to Courtenay to be close to her family.
Chere was always keen on sports and the outdoors throughout her life. During her teen years she proved to be an avid dancer, ballet being her specialty, and a horse lover with many hours in the saddle. She skied Mt. Becher as a teenager along with ski trips up the Forbidden Plateau before the lifts were even considered. Upon her return to the Valley table tennis had became her favorite game and she spent many an hour practicing at the Florence Filberg Centre. She proved to be very good at the game. She attended many Senior and Winter games for the Comox Valley Zone, winning many medals in competition.
She was an active member of the Comox Valley Naturalists. Her interest was in all the flora and fauna as well as the hiking. Her love of photography was evident by the many beautiful photos she captured on the botany trips in particular.
Chere travelled frequently about the world, enjoying every square inch of it.
No service by request. She will be greatly missed by friends and family.