~ She longest lives, who most to others gives, herself forgetting ~
Beverley Alice Thomas, nee Rogers, passed away peacefully last Friday. Her family lovingly surrounded her to ease her journey.
She is remembered and eternally loved by her husband, Maldwyn, and their four children, Wiley, Alex, Lily and Trevor. Their spouses, Marc, Dali and Miryam mourn her passing too. She leaves behind three beautiful and talented granddaughters, Lilian, Monique and Tessa. Her brother Gary and sister-in-law Jessie (nee Peard) Rogers, her niece Kelly, nephews Gordon and Murray, and many cousins in Canada and New Zealand will remember her fondly. She was predeceased by her mother and father, William and Roma (nee Johnson) Rogers of Salt Spring Island, and by her elder brother, Gordon.
Beverley led a wonderful life. This ‘redheaded robin’ from Salt Spring Island journeyed far in her 92 trips around the sun. She was an extraordinarily talented artist, one who has left behind a legacy that will be admired and enjoyed for generations to come. Her working life may have begun as an art teacher to school children in Vancouver and the Kootenays; however, her appetite for adventure would eventually take her on a back-packing trip through Europe. In Hamburg, Germany, she met and fell in love with fellow British Columbian Maldwyn. They enjoyed 62 years of married life together. His career as a Canadian diplomat took this intrepid and fun-loving couple to many interesting, and sometimes challenging, locations around the world. Wherever they landed, they forged fond and colourful memories.
As a family, we would like to honour Beverley’s open-hearted nature that had a positive effect on the lives of everyone she met. She nurtured many children, offering her home and her kindness. She was truly a mother to all. What will always remain timeless about Beverley is her quick wit and dry sense of humour. It will carry us all through the times ahead. Beverley’s family and her many friends miss her deeply.
A Funeral Service for Beverley was held in the Sequoia Centre, at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC, on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 2:00pm, with the Rev. Canon Andrew E. Gates presiding. A reception will follow the service. For friends so desiring, a donation to the Red Cross in memory of Beverley, would be greatly appreciated.
Condolences to the family may be made below.
To view service click on arrow below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Vanessa and John Dingley
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Linda Reidel Dear Wiley and family,
My family and I send our thoughts and prayers to you and your wonderful family . I am so grateful that through Maryanna Rixson , I was able to meet your dear mother and you .My sister Sharon and I will always have fond memories of staying with her and meeting our Roger’s family cousins !!!
Sending our love especially to your father and the rest of you family . Please let’s keep in touch .
Linda Reidel and family.
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Jennifer Lang Sending you all so much love and tenderness during this time of transition for you. I will always remember spending some lovely time with Bev in Tourtour, France during the summer of 2000. I also appreciate and value the long-standing and dear friendship you have with my parents, that began when you were neighbours in Tsawwassen.
With Love,
Jennifer Lang & Kirk Wilson
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George & Marsha Taylor George & Marsha Taylor
Dear Maldy and Family, So sorry for your loss. We watched the funeral service and the tributes to a wonderful Mother were heartfelt. George and Maldy met at UBC. I had the pleasure of meeting Maldy and Bev the first time in Tour Tour in 1998. Immediately we found Bev to be an interesting, adventures and witty person. George went back to Tour Tour with the Oatmeal Breakfast Group when Bev gave art lessons. We were fortunate to have some wonderful times in Vancouver and Victoria with Maldy and Bev and we will never forget her sense of humour. She has left a lasting memory for so many.
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George & Marsha Taylor Dear Maldy and Family, So sorry for your loss. We watched the funeral service and the tributes to a wonderful Mother were heartfelt. George and Maldy met at UBC. I had the pleasure of meeting Maldy and Bev the first time in Tour Tour in 1998. Immediately we found Bev to be an interesting, adventures and witty person. George went back to Tour Tour with the Oatmeal Breakfast Group when Bev gave art lessons. We were fortunate to have some wonderful times in Vancouver and Victoria with Maldy and Bev and we will never forget her sense of humour. She has left a lasting memory for so many.
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Keiko,Shiho and Shima Tachibana Our deepest sympathy to the Thomas family. She was a sweet and kind lady. We will miss her.
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Marit Stokke Dear Maldy and family.
Our deepest condolences.
Thinking of you and sending our love.
Marit and Gunnar.
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Eva-Maria Stipernitz My husband Hellmuth and I met Bev and Maldy in Hamburg in 1958. Hellmuth worked for Coleman, Maldy at the Canadian consulate, and Bev taught German soldiers the English language. There were great parties in Maldy’s apartment at the Rondel. We soon formed a circle of friends. We were young, we were free – life was good. Although we all gradually left Hamburg, the close bond between Bev, Maldy, and us lasted.
Bev and Maldy married, and soon four children were born, one after the other – Wylie, Sasha, Larissa, and Trevor. Maldy climbed the career ladder and worked for his government in many countries and cities: Stockholm, Hong Kong, Moscow, Vienna, Tokyo, Paris, Düsseldorf, and Jakarta. Bev supported him in every way she could and managed the ever-growing household, often under very difficult conditions. In addition, she found time for what she enjoyed most and was so close to her heart – her art. Hellmuth and I visited Bev and Maldy as often as we could, in Paris, in Vienna, and even in Indonesia. Bev was always a great hostess and a wonderful, open-hearted friend.
When Bev and Maldy moved to rainy Brussels, they bought a vacation home in the south of France in Toutour, a tiny, very old village on a plateau. After Hellmuth’s death, I spent wonderful vacations with them there over many summers. These visits and the conversations with Bev and Maldy are some of the best memories I have.
Today I live in a small apartment in a retirement home. Many gifts from Bev have accompanied me there and are an important part of my life – the enchanting plant picture, the bowl in soft turquoise, and the doll she made for the birth of my first son.
My friendship with Bev was one of the greatest enrichments of my life. I miss her very much and often think of her and the Thomas family.
Adieu Bev, EVA
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Eva Kinderman My deepest condolences to Maldy and the Thomas family!
I met Beverley a few years ago during a day trip with friends to the Japanese gardens on Mayne Island. The encounter with her made a lasting impression on me. I will forever cherish the memory of her on that lovely afternoon.
Eva Kinderman
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Volker Leichsering When I first met Berverley in Tourtour, France, she impressed me with her friendly, witty and funny comments about a local artist’s paintings. Because she was far too modest to talk about her own art, I only learned much later that she was a highly talented artist herself. It was this combination of modesty, kindness and spirit that characterised Beverley’s personality. It was a privilege to know her and I share the deep sadness of Maldy and his family.
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Rob & Lynne Kendall We offer our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the whole family. It was an honor to meet Bev here in France and also most of her immediate family. Our thoughts are with you all on Saturday.
Our fond regards to you all.Rob & Lynne Kendall
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Thomas Williams My condolences for such a great loss. I had the privilege of having had Bev as my godmother. I have so many fantastic stories in Belgium, France, Canada spending time with her. She showed me so much about art, and I remember how she always challenged me to try new things. The thing I will always treasure the most where her stories. She would tell me about all her crazy adventures around the world. I always thought she was a gifted story teller. I will miss her so terribly.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do
love
Thomas Williams
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Darlene Seligman To the Thomas Family,
Our condolences on the loss of your beloved Beverley, (wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt) an amazing talented woman. Bev’s paintings are so beautiful. The times that I spent with Bev were always very special, she is an inspiration to many, and she will be greatly missed. Bev will always be with us in spirit and through wonderful memories.
With deep sadness, Bruce, Darlene Seligman, and family
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Ross & Katherine Johnson To the Thomas & Rogers Family
Its with profound sadness, we’ve learned of Bev’s passing. Our matriarch with an incredible artistic talent along with enjoying or telling of a good story, will be missed. Bev shared her life of Maldwyn & children with all of us & for this we will be forever grateful. Life is a book of many chapters with stories of which we hope each of us will ponder & hold near & dear to our hearts. May these memories & stories provide all of you with the strength to move forward. Cousins Ross & Katherine
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Frances Anderson The Anderson family send our deepest sympathies to the Thomas family at the loss of their dear Bev.
All the comments are a testament to how beloved she was and she will be dearly missed. She was always curious, teaching what she knew, a creative bohemian spirit.
I’m grateful that we got to paint and draw and laugh together. Frances Anderson
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Sophie Oliveau-Moore It has been an honour and a privilege to know Bev for these past fifteen years. Her quiet demeanour often hid a shrewd observer and a dry wit, but mostly, her natural modesty concealed her formidable artistic talent and creativity. I think of the skills, the strength and the mettle she must have possessed for being a diplomat’s wife and a mother for all these years, uprooting herself and her family to set house in yet another part of the world, running the home, assisting her husband in his social obligations and of course, raising their children – and still finding the time and energy to develop an amazing artistic production. What a life… I am so glad that she was surrounded by the love and respect of her family and friends right to the very end. Rest in peace, dear Bev.
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Barbara & Reyer Dear Maldy & family
We are deeply saddened to hear of Bev’s passing. This is a great loss for everyone who knew her.
Thinking of you & sending our love.
Barbara, Reyer & family.
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Emily Williams I was deeply saddened to hear the news of Bev’s passing. My greatest memory of Bev is of her extraordinary laugh- full of joy and it always made me laugh as well, even if I didn’t always understand the joke (Bev and mom used to laugh a lot- and understanding anything through their laughter was nothing short of decoding the Enigma code). My parents still has some of her art up in the house- she was a terrific talent and knew how to capture a feeling through color and light. I’m sending you my wholehearted condolences to all of you. Lots of love. Emily
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Elaine & Rick Berry Our deepest condolences to the Thomas & Rogers families on the passing of Beverley.
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Janice Williams My heartfelt condolences go out to my dear Bev’s family. I have so many wonderful memories of Bev, her kindness, her talent and her wry observations on all that is humanity. I was telling a friend about her today as tears ran down my face, having noted Bev’s long life. My friend looked at me and said, it’s not the number of years she lived, it’s the sense of loss you feel. I think Bev would have agreed. Much love to you all. Jan Williams
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Frédérique Stapenhorst I extend my deepest condolences to the Thomas and Rogers family. May you celebrate her beautiful life during this difficult time.
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Kristin Borander To the Thomas family,
So happy to meet Beverly with family, when we visited your home in Victoria some years ago.
With our warmest thoughts and condolences.from the Borander family in Norway
Anne and Kristin
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Philippe Lette Dear Maldy and family ,
The Lette family sends condolences from Geneva, Paris, London and Bahrein.
We have so many fond memories of good times spent with you and Beverley over the years .
Bev was a beautiful and talented person with, as you mention, a quick wit to match her lovely smile.
Sending you much love and affection
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Naomi Paca Billard Mrs T was my boss for three years in Düsseldorf. She mentored me in everything of value. I was with them until they left for Jakarta when Mr T was promoted to Ambassador. I then went to pursue my nursing career. We have kept in contact since. When I retired from my hospital job I was able to visit the family & spent time with them, with Mrs T especially reliving Düsseldorf. I will forever treasure the time, memories, the laughter, waiting for the visiting deer & the oh so nimble “Mockingbird” – hummingbird. I give thanks to your life with us. Thank you for the five weeks we spent together last Spring in your home. ‘Til we meet again.
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Marla Dan Wylie we are so sorry for the loss of your mother. Aubrey and I never had the pleasure of meeting her, but Myles did and has very fond memories of her. May her memory be for a blessing.
Condolences Marla and Aubrey
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Beverley L Dobell My first encounter with my new neighbour, Beverley Thomas, happened when she softly called out through my courtyard gate one summer day. She mentioned hearing little children’s voices from my home, and I commented they are my two granddaughters. Beverley was looking for playmates for her three lovely granddaughters visiting from Vancouver. Since the girls were close in age, from that moment on the five girls formed a close and playful connection which has lasted several years. Many of the playdates were held at the Thomas’ house with Beverley teaching art projects, and the annual Christmas gingerbread house decorating. Over the years I have enjoyed social events with the Thomas family and I have always felt very welcome. This past year I had the privilege of spending time chatting with Beverley and watching films together. She was such a dear soul. My family and I will miss her gentle, playful and compassionate manner. My heartfelt condolences to her lovely family.
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Myles Dan Bev was such a wonderful woman. Kind , caring, loving, funny and so much more. She will be remembered by so many and her legacy will live on. I do remember all the times i went and visited and every time it was absolutely incredible. It was always such a pleasure to laugh and spend time with her. May she look upon us now and watch over us from above always.
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Laura Craig Our deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved wife, mother and friend. Aunt Bev was such a talented bright light with such a wonderful sense of humour. She will be dearly missed by all…
Love,
Laura & Doug Craig
We send the Thomas family our condolences and deepest sympathy. This must be such a difficult time for you, Maldwyn, after you and Bev had been together for such a long time and travelled and done so many things together, and we do hope that wonderful memories will help you through. You and your family took wonderful care of Bev during the time she was ill, and that must have been a great comfort to her. Bev was a lovely person, and we always enjoyed her quiet humour — we will miss her. She was such a remarkable artist, and I have kept a number of cards showing her paintings because I like them so much. They will be lovely reminders of her.
Your family will be very much in our thoughts, and we will always remember Bev very fondly.
Vanessa and John