Ebbs passed away peacefully at Saanich Peninsula Hospital in the Palliative Care Unit, surrounded by her dear husband of 56 years, Ray; son, Greg (Katie Ciampi) and daughter, Jenny (Bobby Varghese). She also leaves behind grandchildren, Kyle and Talia (Greg) and Naiya (Jenny and Bobby) in addition to many other beloved relatives and cherished friends.
Ebbs was an only child and was predeceased by her father, Worsley in 1955 and her dear mother, Betty in 1966. Her mother’s family, the Gough’s, were considered one of the true founders of Nanaimo and arrived in Nanaimo from England in 1852-4 on the ship, Princess Royal. Her father’s family was Victoria-based Ebbs-Canavans.
Since Ebbs lost her father at an early age, she primarily grew up with her beloved mother in Nanaimo. Ebbs moved to Victoria for nurses’ training in 1959, where she soon met her husband, Ray. They married in 1963. Ebbs graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1962. She had a full and wide-ranging career as an RN in Victoria, which included obstetrics, ER/ICU/PAR, Employee Health Nurse, Director of Employee Health, then ending her career at Oak Bay Kiwanis Pavilion.
Ebbs was a fiercely dedicated and loyal wife to Ray; a cherished cousin, sister-in-law, and an ‘Auntie Ebbs’; she was a creative, decisive, honest, loyal, and wise mother, grandmother, and friend to many. Ebbs loved social gatherings, shopping anytime, and could skillfully sew anything with beauty and perfection.
Ebbs resisted against her health struggles until the very end.
We love you and miss you so much, but you will always be vibrant in our hearts and memories.
A million thanks to the excellent staff at the Palliative Care Unit at Saanich Peninsula Hospital. We cannot thank you enough for caring for Ebbs/Mom with both expertise and respect and for honouring her with a dignified and peaceful passing. Thank you to the Palliative Care Unit volunteers, who provided us with an oasis of tranquility amidst the sadness and chaos of losing one of our dearest loved ones. We would also like to express a special thank you to GP Dr. McNaughton and many specialists who looked after Ebbs. Acknowledgements also go out to our dear friends and family who tirelessly dedicated so much of their time and love visiting and supporting Ebbs during the past months.
A Celebration of Ebbs’ Life will be held on Wednesday, February 27th, at 2 pm in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to ‘Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation.’
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
32 Responses
Ray, Greg, Jenny, and Family
With such sadness we send our condolences and heartfelt sympathy. I recall vividly the day Ebbs joined our “family” at Victoria General as our Employee Health nurse. We have fond memories of our fun and happy times together. Thinking of all of you.
Jeff and Sheryl Hamilton
Dear Ray, Greg, Jenny and family,
It is with deepest sympathy we learned of Ebb’s passing. She was a wonderful lady, so strong through all the bumps in her highway of life. Her smile would light up a room and she would always so up-beat. We will dearly miss her, as will you all. Please know that we are thinking of you in this very sad time.
Unfortunately, we cannot be there in person for the Memorial Service, but we will definitely be there in Spirit.
Our hearts go out to you at this time. Sorrow will come and lessen in time, but the memories will always stay in your heart forever.
With heartfelt sympathy to all,
Marie & Jim
Ray:
Sincere condolences to you and your family.
Muriel & Alan Fishwick
I worked with Ebbs as a young nurse at Kiwanis Pavilion. I enjoyed her zest for life and her easy going attitude. I still remember the quilt she gave me when my first child was born. Although I cannot attend the memorial, I will be thinking of Ebbs and am giving my sincere condolences to the family.
Dear Uncle Ray, Jenny, Greg and family,
We send our love and sincere condolences to you all on the loss of Auntie Ebbs. She will be remembered so fondly when recalling the many times we’ve shared.
Thinking of you at this very difficult time with love.
So many memories of happy times with Ebbs: dinner parties, celebrations with family and friends , beautifully crafted fabric gifts (bags, festive vests, aprons, napkins sewn by those magic fingers of hers), ski weekends at the chalet, and chats over tea (using the good china cups). My garden and deck will miss her visits to check out the plantings and approve the colour scheme. We have enjoyed a special friendship over the years and will miss her very much. Ebbs was truly an amazing and inspiring person. Her smile would light up the room and she so loved social events.
Our deepest sympathy and our best love and wishes to you all.
We are thinking of you.
Love, Tom and Verna
We were deeply saddened to hear of Ebs’s death, and offer our condolences to Ray and the whole family. Sally and Mike Blayney
Dear Ray Jenny Greg and family
We so loved Ebbs. A truly kind loving lady. Always in our hearts.
God bless.
We will be with you in spirit on Wednesday. Biggest of hugs.
All our love Bev and Rick xxxx
Hi Mom, we miss you so much… And quite honestly could really use some of your direction, talent, & focus to help us plan your Celebration-of-Life on Wednesday!! Haha. I’m going to try to channel Ebbs when I attempt to speak (instead of blubber) my speech on Wednesday.. 🙂 Thank you Mom, for always being ‘in my corner’ whenever I really needed you. And thank you for loving our Naiya so freely, fully, and completely. XO
Love always, Jenny XO
Ray and family I’m so sorry for your loss.
My Condolence and thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
I have fond memories of meeting and being welcomed by Ebbs