In memory of Rosalyn “Lyn” June Clark
July 26, 1924 – January 15, 2009
Predeceased by her loving husband George Adam, her brother James, and her parents Samuel and Dora Duprau, who were founding members of the Victoria Duplicate Bridge Club. Survived by her son Richard, daughter Sheila (Garry Collins) and her 3 grandchildren: Serena, Vanessa and Christina.
Born in Unity, Saskatchewan on July 26th 1924, Lyn was a proud member of the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS), the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL), past member of Holy Trinity, Sooke and St. Matthias, Victoria.
Lyn lived a humble prairie life travelling to attend school in Regina. She earned two Governor General medals before attending the University at the age of seventeen to challenge her brother Jim, a scholar in his own right. In 1943 she joined the Royal Canadian Navy and proudly served her country while stationed in Halifax, Nova Scotia during WWII. In 1946, Lyn married George Adam. They had two children, Richard and Sheila, and settled in Regina, Victoria, Sooke and recently Courtenay. She was employed at the Esquimalt Dockyard (DND/NADEN) for 31 years, retiring in 1988 to travel the world and to spend time with her family. Retired life was never boring. Every year she embarked on another journey playing her beloved duplicate bridge in tournaments for charity. The family had the pleasure of listening to her stories about life and the inspiring memories of her travels which carried her to Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Tunisia, England, Scotland, France, Holland, Switzerland, Monte Carlo, Morocco, Germany, Luxembourg, Egypt, the Caribbean, Peru, and Brazil. She walked the steps of Winni Wayna Ruins in Machu Picchu, Peru, climbed the Great Wall of China, stood in Tiananmen Square, and walked to the Parthenon in Athens. She always brought home beautiful gifts to share with her grandchildren.
Lyn was a competitive athlete in her younger years, challenging her mother to tennis matches which she never won! She played outdoor women’s hockey on the frozen pond in Unity, Saskatchewan and later joined the Royal Canadian Naval women’s hockey team in Halifax. Lyn was an avid ski jumper in Jasper, AB which she wore wooden skis. She was a star with the prestigious All American Girls Wrigley’s softball team.
In addition to her athletic accomplishments, she had a passion for history, music, and the opera, and taught her children how to play the violin which her son Richard excelled in. Lyn loved to dance and listen to Tchaikovsky. With her fine collection of opera music, she never missed the opportunity to dance the night away! Seeing the development of the Strathcona Symphony Orchestra in Courtenay was one of her favourite subjects of conversation.
Lyn was an extraordinary wife, mother, grandmother and friend who lived her life to the fullest each and every day. Her motto was to never refuse an invitation to a party or to be with friends!
The family would like to extend our gratitude to Lyn’s caregivers: Rick and all the caring nurses and staff of the ECU at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Comox. In addition, we thank the Abbeyfield House in Courtenay for their kind support and compassionate care of our mother and grandmother.
Donations in Lyn’s honour may be made to Strathcona Symphony Orchestra in Courtenay or the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to save the Tigers.
Services for Rosalyn will be held at St. John the Divine Anglican Church, 579 – 5 Street, Courtenay on Friday, January 23, 2009 at 11:00 am. Commital Service will be held at the Sooke Harbour Cemetery, Sooke on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 2:30 pm.