Carmel Mary Merwina Loader (née MacDonald) passed away peacefully two years to the day after the death of Clive Gerald Loader, her husband of 59 years.

Carmel, nicknamed the Energizer Bunny by Clive, will be remembered for her positive outlook and her strong belief in using one’s energy to help others. She lived a life of gratitude and that, along with her strong faith, supported her through any difficulties life threw at her. Upon the death of her eldest son Stevie from a three-year battle with leukaemia, she wrote a thank you letter to the hospital; they replied they had many thank you letters over the years, but hers was the first to recount all the happy memories at the hospital.

Born in the small town of Bartibog Bridge outside of Chatham, New Brunswick, Carmel grew up during the Great Depression, when money was tight but her parents instilled in her a belief to help others less fortunate, feeding those who came in hunger to their door. Carmel attended teachers’ college and taught all over the Maritimes, making lifelong friends, before teaching at Royal Canadian Air Force elementary schools. Her first posting was to Gander in Newfoundland Labrador before taking up a position in Germany in 1960, where she and her girlfriends spent their vacations exploring Europe and the Middle East. On the airbase Carmel met Clive, a RCAF fighter jet pilot and the love of her life. They were married in 1962 and returned to Canada two years later.

Clive’s job led to the family moving from coast to coast while making friends across the country. After Clive’s retirement, they returned to Victoria where they were both active at Holy Cross Catholic Church and volunteering. Together with Clive, she served meals at the 9-10 Club soup kitchen for almost two decades, canvassed for the Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation, regularly visited the sick and those in care, and much more. She was a keen cook and baker and felt any situation could be remedied by the gift of baked treats and homemade strawberry jam, as well as a listening ear with words of encouragement.

Carmel and Clive were both gardeners, but while Clive’s passion was for flowering gardens, her interest was on vegetables born of her focus on feeding people! She was especially known for extraordinary tomato growing skills, sharing her bounty with friends. She was also supremely organized and kept the family on track, informed by her devotion to her daily newspaper, the nightly news and the weather channel.

Carmel passed away on March 3, 2023 at Mount St. Mary Hospital in Victoria, after what she called a good life. She is survived by her children Michael, Bonnie (John), Colleen, and Randy, her grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. Carmel was predeceased by her husband Clive, her son Stevie, her brothers Burchill and Al, and her twin sister Lourdes. She will be missed by the many friends and relatives she has kept up with by phone and letters over the years.

The family would like to thank the staff of Mount St. Mary Hospital (long term care) and previously Berwick House for their wonderful care of Carmel.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 4049 Gordon Head Road, Victoria, BC at 11:00 am on March 11, 2023 followed by a private burial at Royal Oak Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, those who desire may consider a donation to Mount St. Mary Hospital. https://mountstmary.ca/

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com

  • John and Diane Osterholm

    In your time of sorrow, we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

  • Aline Reid

    Michael, Bonnie, Colleen and Randy,I’m very sorry for your loss. Fran (Reid) Sark,Doreen and I remember fondly Carmel and Reva arriving to teach at the Summerside ,PEI Air Base in 1954.Our apartments were a few houses apart. Carmel visited us frequently because we had a rocking chair. So Carmel would call on her way from school and keep the rocker company. Fran and I had the good fortune to have Carmel and Clive stationed at Baden/Soelingen when we taught there. Our friendship was strengthened through the years with Clive’s very entertaining Christmas letters.
    So many lives were brightened with Carmel’s kindness. So many hearts remember her with love. Remembering with you and celebrating her well lived life

  • Faith

    Dear Michael, Colleen, Bonnie and Randy
    Your Mom was such a beautiful person so full of love and so very caring. I always admired her! Your Mom and Dad were an inspiration! They showed such great love for each other and for you children!
    So many great memories! Never will they be forgotten!
    With Love and Prayers,
    Faith, Bill and family

  • Donna and Lindsay McLaren

    To Coleen, Michael,Bonny and Randy our thoughts are with you on the loss of your Mother. We became acquainted with your Mom and Dad when they moved next door to us. We have many fond memories of them while they were here at 1560. Monday morning coffee, Friday afternoon happy hour, working around the building and looking after each others suite while one of us was away. (The tomatoes were so good) Lots of good times. We miss you Carmel.

  • Dr. Jennifer Lush

    Dear Colleen, Bonnie, Michael and Randy,

    I am saddened to hear of your loss. Your mother was an inspiration to many, myself included, and the way you tenderly cared for her in the last two years of her life mirrored the loving care she always provided your father, Clive. It was my joy and privilege to be involved in the care of both your parents over the past 7 years, and they are missed at the clinic. Please know the thoughts and prayers of myself and my staff are with you in this time of mourning.

  • John and Rita Leland

    Dear Colleen, Mike, Bonnie and Randy,
    John and I offer our condolences. Blessings today and the weeks ahead. Your parents were so very special. I am sad that we didn’t know them better. You are their light in this world.
    Love

  • Yvonne Hsieh

    Dear Michael, Bonnie, Colleen and Randy,

    I was so privileged to have known both your parents as fellow Holy Cross parishioners for over thirty years, and as a close friend for the last fifteen years. Carmel and Clive were among the most caring people I had ever met. Their exemplary lives inspired me to be a better person. I will always treasure the happy memories of the many birthdays and holidays we celebrated together. My sincere condolences to you on the loss of your dear mother, on the second anniversary of your dear father’s passing. March 3 will always be a special day of commemoration for all of us at Holy Cross.

  • JAMES J MACDONALD

    Dear Michael, Bonnie, Colleen, and Randy.

    Please accept my thoughts prayers and condolences on the passing of your mother, a wonderful, kind and thoughtful woman. I first met her and your Dad a couple of weeks before Lourdes passing. Paul MacDonald was kind enough to introduce us. I was fortunate to visit them over the years, and was blessed when they came to stay with me in Tampa, Florida.
    Your mother was my Dad’s first cousin.
    I pray that you will be consoled and comforted by the love and memories you hold in your hearts. I will watch the funeral Mass online. I am sorry that I could not offer my condolences in person. May God bless you all with the faith and trust your mother and dad possessed.
    Sincerely,
    James (Jay) MacDonald

  • Allan G. MacDonald

    I was proud to have her as my aunt.

  • Sharon Smith

    Colleen, my condolences to you and your family on the loss of your Mom. She was such a kind, thoughtful, and generous person. Her wonderful personality lives on through you. I feel blessed to have known your Mom, as well as your Dad. I hope the precious memories you carry in your heart will help you through these challenging times. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love, Sharon

  • M Wright

    Blessings to Michael, Bonnie, Colleen, and Randy on the loss of your precious Mom! May you be comforted in your loss and know how much Auntie Carmel loved you – each one and your families! We have such pleasant memories of times together with the Loaders and the dynamo behind it all was the love and devotion between your parents. What a beautiful pair! We already miss knowing that we now have one less person in the world praying for us and keeping in contact. We will treasure Auntie Carmel’s handwritten 2022 Christmas note this year on the back of the regular Christmas greeting newsletter that Colleen so graciously prepared for her Mom. It has been an inspiration to see the love Uncle Clive and Auntie Carmel shared with all you kids and also that benevolence being kindly and thoughtfully returned to them when they really needed you. What a rich heritage. God bless you! Love Cousin John and Marjorie and Family

  • Patricia Chura

    To Colleen, Michael, Bonnie and Randy my prayers and thoughts are with you for you had an extraordinary mother, the very best. Carm has been a wonderful friend and confidant to me for many years. Her kindness and generosity of spirit were spread far and wide. I miss her already but I am not sad as I know her Faith has her reunited with Clive, Stevie, her parents and siblings. May the good Lord bless and keep her. May He make His face to shine upon her and grant her eternal peace and rest.

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