HARRISON
Monica Catherine (nee: White)
October 22, 1940 - February 27, 2009
"Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy."
Monica Catherine Harrison (nee White) passed away peacefully after a long, courageous battle with cancer on Friday February 27, 2009 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Comox. She will be remembered with much love by her soul-mate and husband of 49 years, Harold; her five children, Catherine, Todd, Thomas (Lisa), Scott, Sandra (Andrew); grandchildren Janine (Will), Grant (Kerry), Keith, Ryan, Kaitlyn, Tyler, Shawn, Andrew, McKenzie, Mary-Katherine, Kellan and great grandchildren Blake, Alexis, and Hollie-Ann.
Monica was born in Victoria, BC on October 22, 1940 as the 5th of 7 children to John Thomas and Monica Catherine White. She attended school and graduated from St. Ann's Academy in 1958. It was in Victoria where she met the love of her life, Harold and the two were married at St. Andrew's Cathedral in 1959. The next year, their first daughter Cathy was born. They then added three sons; Todd, Tom and Scott. In July 1969, Hal & Monica relocated to Courtenay where their youngest daughter (Sandra) was born in the fall. As a young child, Monica lost her mother to cancer. She never forgot her mother's beautiful persona and knew that they would one day be together again.
Monica has now been reunited with her namesake, her mother and with her father who passed away in 1975. She was predeceased by her sisters Mary-Lou and Roberta, brothers-in-law Harry and Jim, father-in-law Tom and his wife Doris, and mother-in-law, Pearl. Also left to mourn are her sisters Christine (Dick), Judy (Al), Arlene (Ray), brother Tom (Janet), brothers-in-law Richard and Dan (Gail), sisters-in-law Lillian, Yvonne, Janet, and June (Garry), former sons and daughter-in-law Bill, Eric, Mike and Debbie, close friends Jack and Dei Lafond, Ron and Lois Chamberlin and Harry and Joan Lavoie, numerous nieces and nephews and friends. At the core of Monica's personality was a huge heart. She demonstrated her loving ways and her devotion to family and friends which will be remembered fondly by many and greatly missed by all that knew her.
The family would especially like to thank Louise Stevens for her tireless help and strength, the wonderful staff at St. Joseph's Hospital and VIHA's home support for their compassion and consideration, Dr. Musgrave for his care and guidance, Gordon Carter for his warm spirit and assistance, Anna Stech for ensuring Mom's comfort, Joan Lavoie, Karen Lavoie and Gail Harrison for their on-going and up-lifting visits, Jack and Dei Lafond for their never ending support to our family, and Father Scott Wittemore for his gentle kindness, prayers and help for Monica to find peace with her journey back to Our Lord.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Valley Vista Estates on Saturday March 7th, 2009 from 1pm to 3pm. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation in support of a palliative care unit; the Canadian Red Cross (equipment loan facility) or the Canadian Cancer Society.