Edith passed away peacefully on October 29th at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Comox, B.C. with her husband Jacques, at her side.
Edith was born on 14 September 1939 in Montreal, Quebec, where she grew up and then studied Civil Engineering at McGill. She met and married her husband, Jacques Camile Manseau, thirty years ago in St. Albert, Alberta.
The couple moved to a small farm property in Black Creek in the early ‘80’s where they raised at one time pigs, Boer goats and also raspberries. Over the years they hosted many young people from all over the World on the WWOOFER’s program. Many of their “students” have been back to visit and spend holidays on the farm. Edith and Jacques opened their home to people from near and far and all walks of life.
As a Mental Health Family Care Home Provider since 1995, Edith made a profound difference in the lives of many people by offering a caring, safe, supportive home – sometimes for a few weeks or months, and sometimes for years. She believed in the value of “country living” - healthy home-cooked meals, time out of doors, time in the company of animals, long conversations at the kitchen table and having a good reason to get up in the morning. More importantly she believed every person who came to live in her home had value and abilities. Edith was extremely generous and creative in finding ways to help people be well, find happiness in their lives and have hope for the future.
She leaves behind her husband, Jacques, her two Newfoundland dogs, Chum and Champ, who she fought so valiantly to get released from the Comox Valley Regional District and Comox Valley SPCA. She also leaves many, many friends throughout the Comox Valley and from every part of the World.
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.