Malcolm passed away peacefully on February 7 in Victoria, B.C., surrounded by his wife and children. Malcolm was born in Kelty, Scotland before immigrating to Canada with his parents and younger brother, Alec. After graduating from the University of Victoria, Malcolm’s daughter, Miranda was born shortly after, and he began his extensive career as a teacher throughout Greater Victoria and the Ministry of Education. It was while teaching at SJ Willis that he met his wife Grace and her two sons Gilbert and Gabriel. They were married in 1989 and had two daughters, Genevieve and Giselle.
A passionate and inspired educator, Malcolm touched the lives of thousands of students in his 48-year career. His love of teaching was clear to everyone he crossed paths with, and his impact was far reaching. Always a memorable teacher, former students tell him when they see him how much they enjoyed his classes. He had a special way of meeting students where they were and encouraging cooperative learning for current and future success. Supporting and advocating for his students was one of his greatest achievements, and his educational contributions will have a lasting effect on generations of students.
Malcolm had eclectic interests and hobbies including ikebana and ballroom dancing, which he did with Grace weekly. He had a designer’s eye and completed several renovations in their family heritage home and sewed matching dresses for his daughters and wife. Above all, his proudest accomplishment was raising his children and witnessing their impact on their communities. He was his family’s biggest fan and the first to cheer them on in any and all of their endeavours. Being with his grandkids was an added joy in his life. Those closest to Malcolm know he was happiest spending time with Grace and their dog, Gemma.
You are and will be forever missed.
We thank the CCU nursing team at Royal Jubilee Hospital, as well as Dr. MacDonald and the renal team for the compassionate care they provided Malcolm in our last days together.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, on Saturday, February 22nd, 2025, at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the ‘Malcolm and Grace Wong Sneddon Fund to Support Chinese Canadian History and Legacy’ held at the Victoria Foundation. To make a donation online, please visit www.victoriafoundation.bc.ca under Make a Donation please indicate the name of the Fund in the comment box.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Linda and Jim Pringle
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Nuri & Betsy Yalcin We enjoyed the celebration of life service for Malcolm. It was wonderful to meet his family and friends. He was clearly beloved by his community. We know his wife, children, and step children, will carry on Malcolm’s legacy. We send our sincerest condolences to Grace, Gilbert, and the entire family. May Malcolm’s memory be a blessing and bring joy to you all in the years ahead.
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Joseph Smallwood Dear Sneddon Family,
My deepest condolences during this difficult time. I hope you find comfort in sharing your memories of Malcolm and hearing the remarkable impact that he had on so many people.
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Lori Elder I was so very sorry to hear about Malcolm’s passing. My sincerest condolences to you and your family, Grace. I only met Malcolm a few times, but was always struck by his deep devotion and love of you. He was always so supportive and proud, and incredibly kind.
May your memories bring you comfort and peace in this difficult time. Sending you much love always.
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Edwin, Sharon and family Please accept our deepest condolences during this time of loss. We will always remember Grandpa Malcom’s smile and kindness. He was always there to capture every cherished moment through his camera lens. Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. Sending you our thoughts and prayers!
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Patricia Kostek Dear Grace and Family,
I am sorry for the loss of your dear husband and father. Malcom was a lovely neighbor and community member, respected by all who knew him. Sending condolences and support to you and your family.
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June Robinson So sorry to hear of the loss of Malcolm. I enjoyed meeting and working with Malcolm in the Greater Victoria School District when he was a teacher on call. He was a skilled and compassionate teacher whether teaching senior math or senior students with special needs. My condolences to the family.
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Robin Evans Dear Grace & family, I am so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed ballroom dancing with you both as you were always so fun & friendly. So many students were truly blessed to have such a caring, impactful teacher as Malcolm!
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Norah McRae Dear Grace and family,
Our sincere condolences to you all in the passing of your beloved husband and father, Malcolm. In the words of Maya Angelou:
“And when great souls die, after a period peace blooms, slowly and always irregularly. Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration. Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us. They existed. They existed. We can be. Be and be better. For they existed.”Love Norah McRae and Andrew Pharo
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Robert and Gloria Dear Grace,
We were devastated to learn of Malcolm’s passing. Our condolences to you and yours, wishing you all much strength and love, and may treasured memories help comfort and heal the immeasurable pain and sorrow. He certainly enriched our lives, we will miss him dearly, Bob and Gloria
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Ivy Cameron Dear Grace and Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Our kids will remember Malcolm as a great teacher.
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Kevin Lai & Simone Guo Dear Auntie Grace,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Malcolm was such a kind, loving, and wonderful person who brought so much warmth to the family. I will always remember his kindness and the way he made everyone feel welcome. His generosity and dedication to those he loved will never be forgotten, and he will be deeply missed.
Please know that you and the family are in my thoughts during this difficult time. I hope you find comfort in the love and support of those around you. Wishing you strength, peace, and love in the days ahead.
With deepest condolences,
Kevin & Simone
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Roger and Elizabeth Swift Grace our sincere condolences to you and your family. Malcolm was a kind gentle man, who was taken from us far too early.
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Roman and Rennie Yue Heartfelt condolences to Grace and Malcolms ‘ family.
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Jane Devonshire Dear Gracie, Gilbert, Gabriel, Genevieve and Giselle,
We were shocked and devastated to read about Malcolm’s passing in the Times Colonist. What a profound loss for your family and for the community. Our thoughts are with you all during this challenging time.
With love,
Jane, Phil and Family
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Shari Winter Dear Grace and family – so very sorry to hear of Malcolm’s passing. With our very best wishes to you and your family at this difficult time. Take care.
Shari and Phil Winter
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Julie Sutherland Dear Grace and family,
We are so very sorry to learn of Malcolm’s passing. We send our sincere condolences. Malcolm lived a life that truly mattered. His role as an educator touched countless lives, and his role as husband, father, friend, and community member was deep and wide. Our hearts ache for you, and we send our deepest wishes that memories of happy times will soon ease the pain you feel now. Julie and Bill.
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Faye Schmidt and Barry Carbol Dear Grace, we were very sad to hear of Malcolm’s passing. We will miss him on the dance floor. Like you, he was a wonderful part of the dance community and we always looked forward to classes shared with the two of you. He had a great way of relating to others and brought a positive presence to the dance classes. Our thoughts and prayers go to you and your family during this difficult time.
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Jane Bond Dear Grace and all your family,
I was very saddened to hear of Malcolm’s death. I only met him once but I remember well what a friendly and kind person he was.My deep condolences to you all.
Jane Bond
(fellow parent all those years ago at Quadra School)
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Randi Falls To the family of Malcolm Sneddon. My condolences to you on the passing of Malcolm. I worked with Malcolm at Lambrick Park Secondary and Victoria High School. I referred to Malcolm as “the math whisperer” – he helped students understand math and through his skills the students gained confidence in all learning areas. Every student would benefit from a teacher such as Malcolm Sneddon.
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Raymond Mew So sorry to hear about your loss, Grace.
It is apparent Malcom cherishes all you do; making your family life rich and supporting so many others.
May he rest in peace.
Raymond Mew- Kahren and family.
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Lara Wilson Dear Grace and family – my sincere condolences at this sad time. – Lara Wilson, UVic Special Collections & University Archives
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Hannah H On behalf of several Vic High students from the grad class of 2014, I just wanted to say what a wonderful impact Mr. Sneddon made on our experience. Our parents even remember him! Best wishes to his family – I enjoyed reading more about his home life.
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Alan and Grace Lowe Our condolences to you and your family Grace. Malcolm was always there with you and supported your endeavours. We enjoyed his company whether it was at ballroom dancing or at dinner events. Malcolm was also a great teacher and I was fortunate to have him as my teacher at Central. He influenced many kids during his many years as a teacher. We will miss him but will always remember member his kind and helpful nature.
Grace, so sad to read about Malcolm’s passing. We treasure our memory of knowing you two. Malcolm as our personal guide and historian on our Mediterranean cruise was a highlight, but just hanging out together in Barcelona was equally cool! Keep well Grace. Best as always, Jim and Linda.