In Loving memory ~ Veronica Diment (nee Winstanley), was born on May 15, 1946, in England and passed away peacefully November 5, 2024, at Mt. St. Mary Hospital in Victoria. She was laid to rest in the Royal Oak Woodland Natural burial park, now with her beloved daughter Ana. She is survived by her husband Roy, and her son Tristan (Ruth and Cristiano).
Most everyone who knew Veronica knows a little of her history. Rather than a traditional obituary, let this stand as a testament to the incredible woman she was, in the words of some whose lives touched hers. May she rest in peace and her loving spirit continue to guide those who remain.
“My dear Veronica, I have been struggling to find the words, but I have finally found a few. For you, the never-ending teacher, lover and friend, for all of us, and life.
I first met you in 1989. I had just come back from 9 years working overseas in the Middle East and North Africa, and you had just arrived back in Canada after 17 years in Brazil. You sublet an upstairs apartment, with your then young son, in a house I had just purchased. And while we never really got to know each other, we co-existed through our own circumstances. You eventually moved out and found a place in James Bay. One day I was out cutting the front lawn, and there you were, “just a walking down the street”. Out of simple friendliness (I had no intentions), I stopped and said hello. We talked briefly, as you were on to visit a friend living a few doors down from me at the time. I offered to come by later with a house warming gift of a bottle of wine, and so I did.
And then, as if by some strange cosmic accident, we found some solidarity and company. A few weeks later, you moved in with me and the rest as they say, is history; a life of 35 years well spent together.
From those early days on Pembroke Street, two back surgeries for you, and later, 4 months spent together in Brazil, things only seemed to get better. From there we moved out to North Saanich, surrounded by a growing list of wonderful friends, animals and fruit trees, most of which were because of you. We then moved out west of Sooke to Malahat Farm, where although at times a significant struggle, we spent a most amazing 15 years there together, again surrounded by more wonderful and amazing friends, more animals (cats, dogs, cows, llamas, sheep, alpacas and chickens), and a most amazing wilderness. (It still amazes me that we were together for 19 years before we finally got married; I guess we did become best friends). All of this because of your most endearing smile, your unfettered and undaunted spirit of adventure, and your love of the world and people.
When your health began to fail, I became your unfaltering care giver and you became, once again, my every reason to get up in the morning and keep on loving you, your smile, and your never-ending reasons to keep on going. Now you are gone… I remain, your husband, your lover, your soul mate, your best friend, and you mine; I will forever hold your smile, your love for me, and your enduring love for the world and everyone and everything in it close to my heart. You were the kindest, most generous and by far the best person that has ever come into my life. There will never be enough words, and I would do it again willingly, my confidante and my muse. As you so often said, only love will save the world, and you did just that, at least for those who touched your world. Now your earthly struggles are over, may you rest in peace, knowing that all the love you have given has come back to rest with you, dear one. You remain a constant ray of light illuminating even the darkest of shadows.”
Roy, Sooke.
“I first met Veronica when I visited Roy back in the days when he lived on Pembroke Street. I loved how she could engage with a then stranger and find common topics to discuss. There was never an awkward silence as she would switch subjects to pre-empt that. There was a hiatus before we met again in 2004, Roy and Veronica had moved to Laurel Road. This time I was with Charlotte, my wife, and Esme, my daughter. Esme was 6 years old and she fell in love with Auntie V. Both Charlotte and I could not believe that Veronica and Esme would develop such a strong bond in those short 3 weeks. In part it was Veronica becoming a substitute Grandma having lost both her grandparents in the previous 3 years. We revisited in 2006 and it was like we had never left. The long discussions into the evening, day trips to Sidney Spit, a music and fireworks display at Butchart Gardens. Another hiatus until June 2023 where we all felt we needed to visit once more. This time Esme came with her boyfriend George to visit her Auntie V, Charlotte and I were following behind a week later. Sadly, whilst Esme was staying with Roy and Veronica, she had a relapse and was taken to hospital. When we arrived, we visited most days and managed to have some time with her. When we left the hospital the day before we went home, we hoped for the best. It was not to be; we all miss her desperately and hold all those memories close to our hearts”.
Raul and Charlotte, UK.
“After meeting Veronica a number of years ago we became fast friends. Conversation flowed and I soon learned just how thoughtful, well read, curious, interested, and interesting a person she was, opening herself up to discuss any topic. It was easy to be so engaged that time just flew by.
Veronica was also someone who loved to bring people together (I would call her a people ambassador) to share delicious food and good conversation. I have very fond memories of many wonderful occasions at Malahat Farm.
Veronica was a beautiful and special person whose memory I will cherish forever.”
Gail, Victoria.
“When Veronica and I first met, our age difference seemed like a lifetime. Fifteen years later and for the next fifty years it no longer existed. She inspired and encouraged me to travel, which changed my life in so many ways.
V had such a positive, sun shiny attitude that was contagious in her professional and personal life, no matter the adversity.
If I have half the impact on those in my orbit as she did in hers, I will be a happy camper.
Goodbye my dear friend, my confidante and my pinky swear sister”.
Mil beijos. Janice, Victoria.
“Veronica was a strong independent woman who would give you the shirt off her back if needed. Her love of children knew no bounds. She was like a magnet to them. She was also a champion of those less fortunate.
Veronica was my brother’s soul mate. They had a truly special relationship.
Rest in Peace “V”
Carran, Woking AB.
“I remember my dear friend Veronica (V) as a truly extraordinary soul who brought beauty, kindness, and joy to everyone she met. Her intelligence, her humor – (did she tell you about a bag of candied dicks she sent to her brother? it was an inside joke, I don’t think he knows who sent it- we laughed every time we talked about it), and of course, her generosity wanting to help those around her and her community.
I feel so privileged to have shared so many wonderful moments with V. Like our coffee and cake days, where we sat watching the hummingbirds feed by the window as she shared the stories of her time in Brazil. V wasn’t just a friend; she was family. A Matriarch in our tribe! I miss her, my heart aches.
Veronica’s passion for fairness, inclusion, and building a better community was nothing short of inspiring. She made everyone feel valued, supported, and seen, including me. I loved that about her.
Her absence leaves an unfillable void in my heart. But even in the pain of losing her, I am grateful for having known her, V was a rare soul, and the memories we created together will remain etched in my heart forever.
In her quiet way, I feel she is still with us. When I camp in the wilderness, she makes her presence known through the stars that light up the night sky—her way of reminding me she’s always here.
I miss my dear friend Veronica deeply. Her spirit lives on in all of us who were lucky enough to love her”.
Allie and family, Victoria.
“It’s funny how you meet a very specific special someone during a very specific time in your life. As a small-town Canadian kid who had spent a life changing year in Brazil, my re entry back into life in Victoria was a bit of a rough landing. I had been forever changed by my experience in that amazing place, yet found myself unsure how to proceed with life at home. I went through the motions of work and my studies but felt a bit like I was wearing someone else’s clothes. By some marvellous stroke of serendipity, I was introduced to a vibrant and welcoming Brazilian community that included other Portuguese speaking folks, and there I met Veronica. Her warm welcoming demeanour drew me in instantly and I was utterly enchanted by her ability to seamlessly drift between English and Portuguese. I marvelled at how comfortable she was speaking in both languages and I saw how her personality stayed intact in expressions of either. Over time I found that I could open up to V about our shared experience in Brazil (hers far more substantial than mine) and how it opened up new parts of us. She validated so many of the feelings I had and helped me to feel at ease in my new found reality. She was a safe, judgement free, loving place to so many of us. I will forever hold dear the dinners, parties and gatherings we had together and the beautiful sound of V’s deep, velvety, resonant laugh.”
Michaela, LA
“Veronica had one of the most wholesome and golden hearts. She had the most wonderful stories and I could have listened to her all day. My fiancé, George and I visited my uncle Roy and Auntie V in June 2023 where we spent 2 weeks exploring the island following R and V’s numerous recommendations. Little did we know that in the last couple days of our trip, V would be admitted to hospital. We feel so lucky to have had those 2 weeks with R & V in the house, despite her not being 100%. She never failed to make us laugh. We exchanged stories, watched loads of movies, cooked dinners and laughed until our bellies hurt (mainly at George and his outrageous choice in cereal). It’s these memories that we will treasure forever and still talk weekly about what an amazing trip this was. Love you, Auntie V xx”.
Esme, UK.
“How can one describe Veronica? A whirlwind…a tornado…a force of nature. Veronica had boundless energy, love and enthusiasm for everyone and everything. The home she and Roy made together had no doors or walls – it was open to everyone, anytime and it was always a warm, welcoming space to spend time, share stories, laugh, drink & eat delicious food. Despite the many challenges life threw in her path, Veronica was absolutely determined to be happy and to make others around her happy. An amazing memory of Veronica is a simple one – I was visiting the farm with a friend, Charlotte, and Veronica suggested we go for a hike. Veronica had a brace on her leg or some kind of special shoe, I can’t quite remember, and was using a cane due to some serious medical issues that supposedly affected her mobility. I believe both Charlotte and I were unsure she was in condition to walk very far much less go for a hike. The path was steep in places, muddy, winding, full of roots – not an easy hike. I love hiking and have been hiking every weekend for years and consider myself an experienced hiker. Charlotte and I, however, could barely keep up with Veronica. I’m still astonished at the memory. But that is so Veronica. She was chatting away a mile a minute, enjoying the trees and the walk, laughing and enjoying every minute of life. Veronica inspired us all with her unbound love of life. Thanks for your final gift, Veronica.”
Gerry, Victoria.
“From the first time I met Veronica years ago, she made me feel like a long-lost family member. She wanted to know everything about me and we found we had mutual interests and similar experiences. She had an amazing talent to tell stories and loved reading everything. She was so interested in community and wanted to be involved with social programs.
Veronica also loved bright colour and eclectic clothes because she said they made her happy. Seeing her in them made me happy. I miss her”.
Rebecca, Sooke.
“Veronica, you made my world widen and clear the vision with love”.
Yuki, Tokyo.
“My dearest Veronica, you were my best teacher, my best friend, and my best one to talk with and stay with!
I wish you knew how much I miss you! Your student forever.”
Fumiko, Tokyo.
“The world and all of us truly lost an amazing human. I will always think of our dear Veronica as an extraordinary beacon of love and hope. She strongly supported all of us and championed our dreams”.
Fatima, Duncan.
“When I first met Veronica’s daughter, Ana-Elisa, her beautiful smile made me feel like I’d met her before. We figured out that I had met Vero before and that smile was a shared feature of theirs. And what a smile!!! Unforgettable, charisma-charged, and genuine. Neither of them smiled with that effervescence if they were displeased, only a curl of their lips to satisfy those without knowledge of what they were missing. But wow, when their teeth were shown, nose crinkled, and eyes aglow, it felt truly special – like a magical pixie had granted you good fortune, cosmic connection, and unending joy. I was so sad to hear of Vero’s passing. I have been mourning the loss of Ana-Elisa for many years now, gone too soon. When my heart feels sad, their smiles come to me in my mind’s eye and it makes me reflexibly smile! My relationships with them will be forever cherished. Their gorgeous smiles will live on forever to continue to bless those who were fortunate enough to embrace their ability to love, laugh and lift others up. There’s a comfort in knowing that the two of them will be reunited in the spirit world. But they are both dearly missed by me and so many others who continue to inhabit the corporeal realm. Until death comes to me, I will relish in their unforgettable magical smiles as a gift to cheer me up and on”.
Jin-Sun, Victoria.
“Veronica was a wonderful friend. She had a unique child-like spirit, with great openness and warmth, mixed with an enormous intellect. She made friends wherever she went and she became a connector of people and built communities. She was a great reader and a creative educator. Through her ESL work she crossed cultures and formed life long relationships with those lucky enough to cross her path. Despite severe medical and physical limitations she moved through life with a loving and positive air. For me she provided an anchor when I was afloat. And I will always be grateful for her loving support”.
Judy, Sooke.
“The longing hits hard, but with it comes the memory of so many happy moments shared.
So many life stories accompanied by laughter and tears, with our plan to write a book about them.
So many moments together… walking, cooking, watching movies, massaging your feet and endless hours of chatting over breakfast.
I was able to have a life of learning by your side, with your giant heart, full of charity and the desire to do good no matter who it was.
My eternal friend and Canadian mother, once again I thank you for your advice, support, your availability, your smile, your hug, your affection and your love for me.
I am happy to have enjoyed our time together and for having shown you my affection and said “I love you” at each meeting”.
Elizabeth, Victoria.
“Veronica told stories. Wonderful, long, interesting, detailed stories about all kinds of things. But mostly about people that she knew and their lives. And she knew so many people. People from all over. Though she had some fascinating stories from her life as well. And I even have one of the volumes of her father’s Merchant Marine stories.
I met her in Brazil and we worked briefly together in an English language retreat before I was fired. But we stayed in touch, and she was like a big sister to me. Later, she was back in Canada, and I was back in Los Angeles, and we only saw each other rarely. But I count almost 500 emails from her, and that is surprising how bad she insisted she was at technology.
Her voice was always warm and friendly on the phone, which is what I remember most these days. And even in various hospitals she always seemed to find delightful and interesting people and would happily recount their stories. If she met bad or annoying people, I never heard about it.
She seemed to take delight in so many things. She was always telling me about books or articles that she’d read and she seemed excited whenever I would tell her what I was reading. She was a goldmine of stories, always fascinated to hear and tell more. But that was because she was truly interested in people. I remember being happy that she had a worldwide network of friends when she couldn’t get around much anymore. And I imagine they, like me, will miss how eager and happy she always was to be in touch again”.
Mike, LA.
“Veronica—I will not say was, for she still is to me—the woman who walked ahead, no matter how difficult or impossible walking itself became. And the woman who took me in always, embraced me as auntie, granny, mother at times, elder, friend above all. It was she and Roy who taught me the meaning of ‘found family’—taught me first and taught me foremost. I was a baby when they came into my life. Through the next thirty years of it they were ever there, warmly embracing & leading by example. It is because of them that I treasure & guard & give the idea of found family away to others, helping them to find it. For that is what Veronica gave to us all, perhaps more than anyone we’ll ever know: She had a gift for bringing connection, laughing down barriers, and helping people to find each other. So worldly, yet so down-to-earth. A brilliant mind, yet a humble goof. Incurably curious, playful, passionate; an adventurous spirit, rounded out with lived wisdom by time & terrible blows of fate. But I thought of her as a great heart and a human pollinator above all, I love her so.
Bless her for being such a generous spirit that I feel her presence still with us~ with every lesson learned, every quality imbibed, every ripple she cast out to us, she really does live on in all of us; and that makes losing her a little easier on us all. So, thank you,
thank you, Auntie Vee, (!!)”.
Tash, Victoria.
“Sitting here thinking of Veronica and the impact she had on me and the rest of the world, the lives of those fortunate enough to have met her, as well as the love and light she shared with everyone, leaves me in awe.
Veronica had the incredible super power of connection and inclusion. She held time and space for those in need of being heard. Whenever you were with her, she was there completely.
Having had the opportunity to sit and talk with her, you found yourself feeling the rest of the world falling away. When you were with Veronica, it was so real, and so present.
Remembering her kind words wrap around me like the hugs she loved to give. When you were being hugged by Veronica, you knew how much it meant. She was always willing and ready to share her compassion, wisdom and love.
I find myself recalling conversations with Veronica, realizing how much of an impact her outlook always provided, offering her perspectives and encouragement.
Her ability to always be there for others was truly inspiring. Like a gift she openly offered to the world around her. She was open. Open to it all.
Her spirit and zest for life was disarming to all those she met. One word seems to fit. Inclusion.
If you knew Veronica, you knew she was there for you. She wanted the best for you. She wanted the best for everyone. She wanted to make the world a better place. And I believe she accomplished that goal.
Veronica, the light you shared with the world served as a lighthouse for those navigating life’s uncertain storms. She reminded us of the inner compass we need to follow.
So, thank you Veronica, for showing us how to live and love more.”
Kirk, Victoria.
“Veronica our dear loved friend was a truly special person. She was the heart and soul of the Brazilian community in Victoria, always there to lend a helping hand to those in need, especially those who had just arrived. Her generosity knew no bounds, and her ability to connect people and bring them together was truly special. She had an immense love for animals, life, family and people and lived with a deep sense of fairness. The world has lost bright light, and she will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her. Rest in peace Veronica, my dear friend I am sure the sky is brighter with you in there”.
Daniella, Victoria.
“What can I say about you, Veronica?
You are the person from whom I learned the true value of friendship, that one that keeps you up when you are down and close when you are far away and makes you happier when you are happy.
You are the person who inspires my strength: not the huge pain of losing your beloved Ana nor the torment of the disease that managed to tame you, your warmness, your smile, your look towards the future always with a positive, proactive attitude.
You are the friend that, even now that you are in another dimension, I cannot help but talking/writing to you as if you never left”.
Marzia, Italy.
“We encountered Vero’s world in the winter of 2014. Grant and I were invited to a weekly art class attended by her friends, kids, dogs, basically whoever wanted to come. A group of 6-8 regulars assembled in Veronica and Roy’s large old fir and cedar barn at Malahat Farm. A corner was designated to our art creativity with shelves of remnants of craft paper, high quality paints, pastels. We wore mittens, toques, scarves, and as the tea kettle heated, large pet dogs, Bennie and Katie, jealously sniffed around our work table for snack handouts. The initial class was a soapstone carving lesson by achieved carver, Kate. At first, we thought this was an a la Bloomsbury salon composed of would-be artists. But as weeks passed, we realized our art focus, slightly topsy-turvy, began to take on a somewhat different turn, the art of conversation.
Veronica subtly led this as she did macramé, as others concentrated on carving or their watercolours. She showed such interest to all who attended, then shared and injected her vivid life stories of dear friends she knew in Brazil, US, England, and places beyond. These lovely gatherings continued over four seasons for a few years.
In summers, Veronica placed a long table, under the large willow tree and along a wedding gift of planted quince trees. We each sat in various chairs then examined her baked goodies spread onto a colourful provincial-style cloth.
Again, interesting topics kicked- started by Vero, seemed to minimize our output to art. On bad weather days, our art group relocated to the home dining room table, next to a heritage window that framed flocks of junco birds at the feeder, and a bucolic view of a pond centered in the side meadow, where, sometimes a cow grazed.
Vero’s distinctive soft voice, smile and laughing eyes always drew you in. During several times in her presence, one knew she was enduring extreme pain. Stoically, she refrained from discussions to these occurrences.
Their home displayed a gallery of Roy’s intuitive talent in photography; happy times with Anna, friends/relatives and foreign landscapes. Both generously opened their home to others who came for long stays from Japan, Brazil and beyond. Outside, the merry buds of May, a 6-pack of alpacas, a horse needing a fenced field and a diminishing flock of named hens impacted by a visiting bear.
Roy and Vero hosted summer pot luck parties, invitation to all. Roy, BBQ chef, grilled up polish-style sausage followed by great live music. Veronica in her chair looking upon with such enjoyment, youngsters playing/dancing, and a large surrounding of engaging, fun and eclectic, friends.
Autumn brought an annual invitation to help put Malahat gardens to bed, followed at dusk, by a bonfire and bowls of Veronica’s delicious hearty home-grown vegetable soups.
Veronica, despite years of enduring medical challenges, remained genuinely interested and optimistic. With the young, she was a good listener who promoted their gowning enthusiasm and interests. She was the sun ray coming from behind a cloud to plant a big kiss of light on you. Roy, so lovingly and tirelessly cared and attended to his wife and soul-mate.
Kate and I visited Vero less than 24 hours before she left us. Her imminent departure did not appear evident while she fondly shared recollections of times with her sisters, brothers and parents, especially of her father’s adventures at sea. Sun rays poured into her window at St. Mary’s, and settled onto her smiling face. Then, yet again, another friend arrived to visit”.
Robin & Grant, French Beach.
“Veronica and I met in Grade 7 at St. Patrick’s School. She started the In and Out Club, (Outstanding Order of Individuals) with Mary, Veronica and me as members. (and maybe a few others) We finished school together and then got an apartment together with Cathy.
Life took us in different directions and different locations but we never lost touch and dispite the distance we were there for each other through good and bad.
Veronica was truly an Outstanding Individual. I am so grateful that I moved back to Victoria, and was able to visit with her almost daily this past year and talk about our 65 year friendship and sisterly love”.
Lynda, Victoria.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Andrew Winstanley
My life with Veronica (aka “Maggie Muggins”—“Mugs” for short) started somewhat inauspiciously: a 1948 photo confirms two ragtag immigrants bound for the New World on a former troopship, one by the look on her obviously put on this earth to keep her little brother in line.
The next 11 years in Deep Cove saw an improvement as I came to know there was a strength in my big sister not matched by her increasingly small stature. A cottage intended for summer use, with bunk beds, a child at each end, and the babies with their Mom, can have that effect. So too can being shepherded by your big sister to school for 5 years along a mile-long walk in the darkness to a bus stop and a 45-minute ride to the nearest Catholic school in Vancouver.
1959 found a Winstanley family of 7 (soon to be 9) in Victoria where I witnessed a blooming of my sister as she made new friends from school: Cathy, Mary, Bev and Lynda, friends she would keep for life (even on occasion beyond to their children); from which I learned my big sister quite simply loved people, all people, enjoyed their company, and always somehow found time and a way to keep them in her life.
In 1966, our lives parted as Veronica left Canada for Brazil. The birth of Ana-Elisa and the adoption of Tristan followed. Two decades passed and she and the children returned.
Soon after Veronica met Roy, the start of a love affair that would last 35 years. For my young family, this was a time of sporadic weekends and summer get-togethers of Winstanleys (and friends) as Veronica and Roy opened their hearts and Malahat Farm to one and all.
Broken-hearted at the 2012 loss of her daughter Ana-Elisa to cancer, then stricken by a series of medical problems that left her in constant pain, Veronica and Roy moved slowly in their “dance like no one is watching”.
Bed-ridden for the last two years of her life, Veronica found herself dependent on the 24/7 care of Roy, who struggled mightily to meet her wish to remain home, until his own health gave out, and all they were left to cling to was their shared belief that tomorrow would bring better things.
It did not take anything from the marvel of watching how tenderly Roy cared for her or from Veronica’s radiant smile as, through it all, she greeted you to their home and to the side of her hospital bed. Theirs was a great love affair.
Now she is gone, know my wonderful big sister did not fear death: “sentient stardust”, she called herself; “sentient stardust”, she was and is again.
Leaving us to mourn our very great loss.