It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of Monica, following a short illness. For most of her life Monica dealt stoically with a chronic disability arising from poliomyelitis at the age of six years. Despite this she never considered it a handicap and managed to lead a full and active life having a career as an Executive Secretary for a major conglomerate in the UK until she emigrated to Canada in 1972, at which time she was employed by the University of Alberta until her retirement in 1987.
Monica was born in the picturesque village of Ingleton in the West Yorkshire Dales country and thoroughly enjoyed the rural life with her parents, Thomas and Gwen who predeceased her in 1968-69, at that time Monica emigrated to live with her brother Keith and sister-in-Law, Patricia in Edmonton, moving to Victoria with the family in 1990. She was fully involved with her brother’s family and loved seeing her nephew and nieces, Mark, Fiona and Clare progressing through their childhood, she was always the ever caring Aunt. Similarly she loved her grandnephews and nieces, Josephine, Isobel and Argyll (Mark), James and Adam (Fiona), but was frustrated that she was never able to become more actively involved with them because of her disability.
Monica loved to travel and visited many parts of Europe at a time when travel was not as easy as it is today and she could recall many tricky situations arising as a result of travel restrictions in different countries. Following her emigration she travelled through North America but became restricted by the progress of her post poliomyelitis. Nevertheless she loved her canine friends, in particular the last Bassets, Toby and Bella and completed the daily crossword until two weeks before she died.
The Family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. David Bell for his care and attention to Monica over many years and also the Home Care rendered through Beacon Community Services; Suriname, Reno, Colleen, Choi, Agnes, Amy and many others. During her final days the care given at the Jubilee ED by Drs. Moreau, Norris and their staff was exemplary and during the final two days the family very much appreciated the care and compassion given to Monica and themselves by the Victoria Hospice.
A Service of Remembrance will be held in McCall Bros. Floral Chapel, Johnson & Vancouver Streets on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at 3:00 pm. A reception will follow in McCall’s Family Centre. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Victoria Hospice.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
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Edna Phillips
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Tricia Treen Pedersen (nee Phillips) Keith
It has been a lifetime since I saw you or Monica but I do know how stoically she bore her physical difficulties and I am sure your sister’s company was ever more important since Pat’s passing. I wish you peace and happiness in the years to come as you remember the good things of Monica’s life more than the sorrow of her death.Tricia (Frank and Veronica’s daughter)
Keith
Sorry to hear of Monica’s passing.
We wish you and your family peace at this sad time.
It would have been nice to have seen you and Monica more often since your emigration but the distance separating us made it virtually impossible.
My sons Alden and David send their condolences.
Edna Phillips