Areline June Grbavec (née Duncan) passed away peacefully on April 15, 2023. She has now joined her loving husband of 60 years, Joe. Areline is survived by her sister Shirley, sons Stefan (Diana) and Ian (Amy), and niece Nada (Giuseppe), as well as a world full of family and friends. Areline was a loving wife, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, friend and proud citizen of Victoria her entire life.
Born in Victoria in 1942, Areline’s wishes for a life full of adventure, a close family, and a loving partner in Joe blossomed in all she touched. Family, friends, neighbours and a life full of learning and laughing showed in every aspect of her life. She always had time for everyone and every animal she met.
Areline started at the University of Victoria in 1967 and spent time in the Bindery Unit, cataloguing and Serials, and in Preservation Services and retired in 2002 with a wealth of knowledge in the care and preservation of library materials and literature.
Areline will be remembered as a volunteer in our community, with family history, gardening, and her walking group as precious memories that will not be forgotten. She was an avid walker who, every day, would be walking around her community, listening and speaking to her wonderful neighbours and friends.
Areline’s time was for sharing, and she was able to pass along her love of the outdoors, literature and her love of adventure to her grandchildren, Ewan and Claire. Areline will be deeply missed by those who adored her kindness, cups of tea, and her extraordinary love of life and community.
A Funeral Service will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC, on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 11:00 am. If you would like to honour Areline’s legacy, please consider a donation to the CFAX Santas Anonymous Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Marilyn Van Imschoot
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Karen Solomon Dear Stefan and Ian and your families,
Your Mum is always fondly remembered as a person who was kind and loving. A wonderful neighbour as I was growing up. A wonderful volunteer, always kind and generous with her time.I’m sorry that I won’t be able to make it to the service on Thursday but you will be in my thoughts.
Sending all of you my deepest sympathy,
Karen
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Margaret Varga To all the Grbavec family I send my love and condolences, along with those of my girls. This is a sad and heavy time for you. I know you have many, many happy memories that will eventually bring back the laughter – Areline was so full of fun. Thinking of you in your sorrow.
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Grace Preston Areline, you will be missed. All the great times we had growing up in Langford. I have so many great memories to cherish. I love you. Rest in peace with Joe.
Your friend, Grace (Hobbis) Preston, Malcolm and I send our deepest condolences to the family.
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Charles and Naomi Sweet Our deepest condolences to the family and grandchildren, close friends
Charlie and Naomi Sweet
Dear Ian and Stefan and families,
My sincerest condolences to you all. I enjoyed working with Areline in the McPherson Library. Later I became a part of the Monterey walking group. Areline was always pleasant and positive. Thinking of you and hoping that you will find favourite memories of your time together.
Marilyn