It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Gerri at her home in Ardmore.
Gerri was born in in the Forest of Dean, in the UK, the only daughter of Mavis and Frank Brain. Gerri spent the early part of her life in the “Forest”, where she trained as a nurse, a profession of which she was immensely proud, and worked within the NHS in a variety of hospitals.
As she reached her early thirties, she took the brave step and emigrated to Canada alone where she continued her nursing career. In 1976 she met and married her beloved husband Charles Anderson McKenzie who sadly pre-deceased her during the pandemic in 2021. Gerri and Charles spent the early days of their marriage living and working in Sarnia Ontario before re-locating to Victoria in 1981.
Gerri was an avowed Christian whose deep faith guided her life and provided great comfort during times of adversity and great joy. To all the knew her she was a passionate gardener and a woman with an adventurous spirit who loved to travel.
She leaves to mourn extended family members in the UK and Canada and many friends both near and far.
A Service will be held at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, 1525 Begbie Street, Victoria BC on Saturday, April 25th at 1:00pm.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
This obituary is the property of the “McKenzie” family and may not be reproduced, distributed, or altered in any way without prior written consent.
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Susan Coleman
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Ruby Chilton Gerri,
I’m sad that you’re no longer with us anymore, I will miss your visits and the quirky activities you got up to while visiting us.
Miss you forever love Ruby
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Vicki Sharp We remember Gerri fondly when she and Charles were members of St. Lukes Anglican Church, Victoria. Charles sang in the choir….Gerri was in the Altar Guild. Both an asset to St. Lukes. A lovely couple, we were blessed to have known them both. Gerri will be missed.
Vicki and Malcolm Sharp
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Jodie Griffin Gerri was such a special part of our family, and someone we will always hold close in our hearts. She was truly full of life, she was always full of stories, wisdom, and the kind of energy that made you feel happier just being around her. She loved travelling and seeing the world, but she always made time for family, especially her visits to England, which meant so much to all of us, especially my dad James.
I will never forget the Christmas she surprised us all by turning up unannounced on Christmas Day evening, carrying a sack of presents like Santa. It was so completely her though, thoughtful, joyful, and full of fun, spending hours on the phone catching up over life, Moments like that are what made Gerri so unforgettable.
She came to all our weddings, always showing up with love and excitement and of course the most amazing wedding hats you would’ve ever seen, and she absolutely adored the children in the family. Finley and Wren will always remember her kindness, her laughter, and the way she made them feel so special it pleases me to know they will always have the quirky trinkets Gerri would gift them! She had the best life advice, a wonderful sense of humour, and a love of life that truly lit up every room she walked into.
We’re so sad we can’t be there to say goodbye, but we’re thinking of her always. Gerri will be deeply missed and always remembered with so much love.
Lots of love Jodie, Ryan, Finley and Wren xxx
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Pauline Walkerdine God bless Geraldine
Mum(Rita Norris nee Brain)Although your aunt being only 9 years apart has many memories of The Row and family get togethers.
She will miss your telephone calls and cherish your letters
Rest easy
Pauline
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Roger Chilton. Debbie Chilton Gerri. You achieved so much in your life, you will be sadly missed by the both of us with your surprise visits and weekly chats on the phone. You can now rest in peace, goodnight and God bless. Roger & Debbie.
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Kim Carpenter Gerri you will be missed by us all.
Your love of travel has meant that the youngest in the family had a chance to get to know you and appreciate your wit and wisdom.
I know mum(Ann Carpenter was Kear) will cherish the memories she has of your weekend and summer time adventures in the row at granny Brains.
Her thoughts and prayers are with, as is mine. Until we all meet again, rest in peace xxx
Gerri was a woman with a formidable spirit. We met over 40 years ago at St. Luke’s and we became friends through our love of hats, of all things. Of course there was more substance to our friendship than that. Through her many stories of her grand life experiences, and they were grand indeed, she also inspired many others to hold steadfast and keep going full steam ahead, regardless of the situation.
We lost touch for a while but I was fortunate to encounter her at a nursery three summers ago and we struck up again meeting for afternoon tea and early evening cocktails.
I was blessed to have known her.
Heaven has welcomed a most interesting, and stylish, Angel. Well done, Gerri.