My mom’s last day with us was January 6th, 2016. She was ninety. Mom started a new life in Port Alberni with my dad, FRED CHAPMAN, in the house that he built on 8th Avenue. Mom came to Canada alone with a new baby, her Atlantic crossing protected by gunships, crossed Canada by train, reunited with Dad in Vancouver on February 2nd, 1946, and they put the war behind them.
Dad was a lumberman; he was passionate about the environment long before Greenpeace and he believed that a community could not develop without rapid transit. He had travelled on the London subway system, explored Soho, and had been stationed in France. His interests were trout fishing at Elsie Lake, collecting steam railroad memorabilia, gardening, photography, investing and writing articles for a steam railroad magazine. He died at 52, before he could join the railroad excursion to Expo in Montreal that he helped to organize.
Mom began her career in 1951; she worked for the provincial government for 32 years. She was a member of the Pythian Sisters, the Valleyettes, Business and Professional Women’s Club and Arrowsmith Lodge Auxiliary. She maintained close ties with her two sisters in Northern Scotland until their death. After dad died, she married Gavin Craig, who predeceased her. Mom leaves her grandchildren Jason Laschuk and Sonia Lowe. Her two great-grandchildren live in Colombia and Portland, Oregon.
Mom and dad’s ashes will be scattered on “the mountain” - they had a clear view of Mount Arrowsmith from their house and now they will be together. Rest in peace, mom and dad, with blessings from your family.
Condolences can be sent to conon@shaw.ca.
Rosalind Chapman