GUTTRIDGE, Ivy Rosetta (nee Wood)
Our dear mother, sister, friend Ivy Guttridge passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 24 at Cumberland Lodge.
Ivy was born in Bethnal Green, London, England on March 6, 1925 to Alfred and Agnes Wood. She was the second youngest of six children, was always proud of her Cockney heritage and loved a good party. She lived through the Blitz, working in London and helping her parents and younger sister Jean while her three older brothers were away serving in the war.
She and her husband Jim and daughter Jennifer immigrated to Canada in 1960, settling in West Vancouver. Mom worked at Vancouver General Hospital as a clerk until the birth of her son James in 1963. There she developed a passion for gardening, painting, and needlework. She also did a lot of volunteer work with seniors. In 1984 mom and dad retired to Denman Island where mom created another beautiful garden. When Jim’s health was failing, they moved to Courtenay in 1990. She nursed her husband until his death from lung cancer in 1998. She was an active member of the Evergreen Seniors Theatre group until her health failed. Mom bravely suffered through many illnesses in the last five years, but managed to live independently with the help of family, friends, and wonderful home support workers. Since last May she has been a resident of Cumberland Lodge where she made many friends. Our family is very grateful for the care and compassion given to our mom and our family over the last few months.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, husband James, sister Agnes in 1927, brothers Alfred and William Wood. She is survived by daughter, Jennifer Milne (John), son James (Erika), brother George (Phyllis), sister Jean Brown (Jim), grandchildren Heather and Robert Milne, James, Daniel, Emma and Jesse Guttridge, great grandchildren Brody and Cory Milne, many cherished nieces and nephews, and her little dog Jedi.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 23 at 2:00 p.m. at the Seniors’ Lounge, Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton Courtenay. Memorial donations may be made to any children’s charity of your choice.
Special thanks to Drs. Helmer and Matous, staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Home Support Workers, Cumberland Lodge and Living Room Pharmacy for their care and compassion.