Anthea Lee passed away peacefully at the age of 77 at the James Bay Care Centre in Victoria, B.C. on July 7, 2017. She will be lovingly remembered  and deeply missed by family and friends she leaves behind. Anthea is survived by her sons Stuart and Matthew; brothers and sisters-in-law Colin and Lynda and Craig and Karen; nephews Blair and Neal and their wives Ariel and Amber; and her grand nephews and nieces Sophia, Graeme, Iris and Avery. She was predeceased by her father Richard Dykes in 1991 and mother Madeleine Dykes in 1999;  and her brother Ian Dykes in 2011 and her sister-in-law Sharon Dykes in 2004.

Anthea was born on May 1, 1940 in Edinburgh, Scotland, to Richard and Madeleine Dykes. Richard was a Canadian medical student from Thunder Bay, Ontario, studying at the University of Edinburgh, and Madeleine was an English nurse and physiotherapist from Batley, Yorkshire, who was working in Edinburgh when she met Richard.

After World War II, when Anthea was 7 years old, the family moved from Britain to Thunder Bay for several years, but ultimately settled in Wetaskiwin, a small city in Alberta located approximately 40 miles south of Edmonton.

At age 14, she attended Balmoral Hall, a girls’ boarding school in Winnipeg, from which she graduated high school.  She then attended the University of Alberta, in Edmonton, where she met her future husband Robert (“Bob”) Lee, who was a law student there. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alberta.

Bob and Anthea were married in 1961. After graduating from the University of Alberta, Bob joined the Canadian Foreign Service in 1963. For the next 9 years of Anthea’s life, she and Bob lived in locations to which Bob was posted:  Karachi (Pakistan), Philadelphia, Belgrade (Yugoslavia), Ottawa, and Boston. Anthea’s sons Stuart (1964) and Matthew (1967) were born during these years.

She and Bob went their separate ways in 1973, and Anthea returned home to Alberta (Edmonton) with her two boys, Stuart and Matthew.

Upon her return, she earned a degree in Education. She then began the work that became her passion – helping hard of hearing and deaf children and their families develop communication skills so they could function as families (Anthea was fluent in sign language).

She also developed a passion for alternative healing and body work – and became an instructor in tai chi chih, a registered Swedish massage therapist, a certified Trager practitioner, and a reflexologist. With a partner, she opened one of Edmonton’s first what we’d now call “wellness centres” in 1982.

She was an avid reader and, for several years, she owned and managed a used book retail store.

Anthea’s passions and interests included: her sons; alternative healing; ‘esoteric’ spirituality; education of the deaf and their families; reading, especially mystery novels; music and singing; dance; babies; Ma-Me-O Beach & Pigeon Lake, and sunbathing there; and ice cream.

Anthea lived in Edmonton for 32 years. In 2005, upon her retirement, she moved to Victoria to enjoy its beauty, and take advantage of its mild weather, which allowed her to go outdoors all year round.

Suffering from dementia, she became a resident of the James Bay Care Centre in Victoria in 2014, where she spent the last three years of her life. The family would like to thank the caregivers and staff at James Bay Care Centre, who cared for Anthea during that time.

A Service of Remembrance (reception to follow) will be held at the McCall Gardens,  Sequoia Centre, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, B.C., at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 14th, 2017.

Flowers would be gratefully appreciated in her memory.

Messages of remembrance may be left in the Condolence message box below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com

 

 

 

  • Gail McBride

    I joined the staff at AHH, now Connect Society, just before Anthea did. In fact the lady that was with us at the Victoria celebration, Sandie Bornstein, was also part of the group welcoming Anthea on staff which also included Judy Gardiner. Every Friday was a professional day where we as a staff attended the pediatric hearing clinic at the University Hospital, had a restaurant lunch together and planned out the week ahead in the afternoons. It made a strong bond among us. Anthea was a friend, a colleague, a mentor for all the years that followed in Edmonton as we moved along our career paths and personal journeys.

    I know that Anthea’s time in Boston working with David Luterman in a counseling program for parents of deaf children was a source of strength for her. I too had the pleasure of working with David. Recently I was in contact with him to ask if he wanted any message conveyed to her celebration. Even though he has been out of touch with her for many years he remembered her as a wonderful person and expressed regret at her passing. However briefly Anthea’s path may have crossed with another, she made a difference.

  • Maxine Paton

    I only came to know Anthea, other than at the lake, when she became a single mom raising two boys.

    Anthea became a self-made career woman. Nothing was left to chance as she embarked on life style changes to provide for herself, Stuart and Matt. Somewhat unorthodox by my standards, she was a person whom I admired and respected.

    Her circle of friends was a diverse group reflected by her many interests and passions. Anthea introduced me to massage (I was the willing guinea pig); Tai Chi (once was enough); an astrologist and reflexologist (both of whom accurately confirmed what I already knew).

    My memory is a bit foggy on this matter, but Anthea’s love life became complicated when she had two men in her life. Let’s just say there was an “incident”.

    We talked dogs a lot and she repeatedly said something to the effect – “your dog is a reflection of your personality and you get the dog you deserve”.

    Anthea was always intense and shared her wisdom. As Seinfeld would say a “close talker”.

    Since her move to Victoria, her lake family has missed her presence in sharing sunny days at the beach.

    Rest in peace Anthea.

  • Hans Beckers

    When I think of Anthea, I smile. I think of Stu who is like a brother to me. I think of Mat who shared my love of Asterix and drawing. I think of Ma-Me-O Beach summers and joyous Dykes family gatherings. I think of Anthea’s enthusiasm when sharing her many passions and I think of all the ways Anthea, through her actions, her boys, her family, and her interests has positively impacted my life. When I think of Anthea, only good memories come to mind. Anthea will be greatly missed. Kim and I send our heartfelt condolences to family and friends.

    Hans Beckers

  • Candice Bjornson

    Anthea was a big part of all of my childhood summers at Ma-Me-O Beach, where my brother and sister and I were part of a crew of kids who included Stuart and Matt of course. Our families have been connected for so long: Anthea and my mom and my aunt were childhood friends; my own children were lucky to have known her too, and they called her BaBa as an honorary Grandma. Many years ago, Anthea gave me some ‘chicks and hens’ from her garden at the lake, and we planted them in our yard where I treasure them and find them growing and popping up in unexpected places. When I close my eyes, I always see Anthea’s warm and genuine smile, and I smile whenever I think of her. I’ll sure miss you, Anthea. xo

    Candice

  • Patricia Bjornson

    Dear Anthea:

    I am going to miss you my friend. Although your retirement move to Victoria removed us in miles we still managed to keep in touch over the years.

    When your family moved to Wetaskiwin you took up residence in a house one street over from my home so this was the beginning of our friendship.

    School at Balmoral Hall in Winnipeg kept you away during school months but the summer months brought us back together again.

    The real connection for us was Ma-Me-O Beach. We were really neighbors – cabins side by side.
    Teenagers on the loose – beach, boys, bingo, Mrs. Dykes bible school, Ma Samborski’s, Tea Kettle Inn, dances at the old log cabin, driving around the lake on rainy days and just hanging out – what a life! Listening to your brothers and their garage band – every time I hear “Proud Mary” I think of the noise from the Dyke’s garage. One little aside – we must not forget the slumber party “arrest” in Wetaskiwin but that shall remain a secret.

    When you and Bob were married I had the honor of being a bridesmaid at the wedding. That started me on a career as a bridesmaid. I think my total is six times. Anyway your world travels kept you from the lake for a few years but when you returned to Edmonton you were back to Ma-Me-O with the boys (Stuart & Matt) and now along with my kids we started a new era in our lives and tried to “keep calm and carry on”.

    After your parents sold their lovely cabin you were an occasional visitor to the lake for a few years but you always kept your eye open for something to buy. Thank heavens you found your own little piece of Ma-Me-O just a block away so we were back to long days at the beach, sun tanning, swimming, visiting, carrying on as usual, but toned down somewhat. Your move to Victoria made it a little more inconvenient to visit the property so you made the decision to put the ‘for sale’ sign up. The people who bought it have done a great job of keeping everything looking the same and look like they enjoy having it.

    Although I do not have a green thumb I transplanted some “hens & chicks” perennial plants to our yard from yours (with your permission) and they are thriving so I have a little piece of your former yard at my place. You also made a nice donation to the Bjornson family when you sold your property. As I watch my grandchildren and even myself paddling the ‘blue kayak'” through Pigeon Lake water I think of and remember you Anthea and I always will.

    Goodbye until we meet again.

  • garret B. Henley

    Anthea was my tai chi chih teacher. She also supported me in my journey to become a Trager practitioner. She lived in my community and we knew each other through others – she was connected to people, healthy living and the spiritual aspects of our lives. My significant memory of her was when she was instructing a tai chi chih class. While I was watching her movement I observed a very old looking Asian man – a tai chi master in traditional robes – kind of float out of her body. I told her about what I had seen and Anthea replied: ‘Oh yeah, I only let him out once in while’.

  • Joan Sandilands

    I met Anthea in the summer of 1959 when we were both 19, between our first and second years at U of A. We worked as chamber maids at Pine Bungalows in Jasper and I thought she was elegant, funny and smart. We remained friends through university, but I lost track of her when she and Bob left Edmonton. By chance we reunited in Victoria almost 40 years later when the phone rang one day and after a brief check on identity, she shrieked “You were my bridesmaid!” We met from time to time after that, and I still thought she was elegant, funny, and smart. She was also brave, compassionate, and always willing to try new things: choirs, churches, places to live. I will treasure our long friendship.
    I offer my sympathy to all of her family. She loved you very much.
    Joan Sandilands

  • Judy Gardiner

    I met Anthea in the early 1970’s when she came to work for the Association for the Hearing Handicapped, now Connect Society. Anthea and I worked as a team, teaching 3 and 4 year old deaf children. We became fast friends and that friendship has lasted through the years. As both of us were parents of deaf children, she with a few more years experience, I relied on her expertise and wisdom. I truly appreciated her ability to assess the situation or problem and help “me” to find the solution that was right for our family. In her years of counselling she assisted many families and helped scores of young children.
    I also benefitted from her skill and knowledge as a message therapist. I quite enjoyed being her guinea pig when she needed a body for certification.
    Not only was she a mentor for me, Anthea was a great and dedicated friend. I will miss you Anthea.

  • heather mah

    I met Anthea at Craig and Karen’s wedding in Richmond, b.c.. I saw her as a gentle and sensitive person. Reading her obituary I see that she led an interesting, creative, adventurous, entrepreneurial and full life.

    I offer my heartfelt condolences and sympathy to all of her family and friends. May she rest in peace and may you all find comfort in the memories of experiences you shared together.

    sympathies, Heather Mah

  • yvonne Leach

    Anthea and I became Weight Watcher friends almost immediately as we sat beside each other and then the next thing I knew she had me singing in the High Noon Choir. That is the kind of lady she was. I admired her intelligence, her ability to befriend most anyone, her passionate love for her family who she talked about all the time. I feel so blessed to have known her.

    Yvonne Leach

Leave Condolence

Type your condolence message into the box below and click "Submit". It may take up to 24 hours for it to appear. Your email address will not be published.

*

Search Website

ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR