Georgina Margaret Strother

Georgina Margaret Strother (née Stuckey), known as Gene, Genie, Mom, Nanny, and Nana, was born on Mother’s Day, May 9, 1926, in Montreal. She died on May 9, 2026, in Courtenay, British Columbia, on her 100th birthday. Georgina spent that final day surrounded by three generations of people who loved her.

Gene was a devoted spouse and caregiver to her husband Richard, who predeceased her in 2015. She is survived by her son Lawrence Strother (Pamela), daughter Anne Berman (Michael), grandchildren Mark (Marie), Miguel (Ineke), Carolynn (Daniel), and Leah (Curtis). She also leaves behind her great grandchildren Rebecca, Andrew, David, Ava Lucia, and Isaac. Gene was predeceased by her parents, Priscilla Julia Stuckey (née Bottley) and George William Stuckey, as well as her siblings George, Dolly, Gertrude, Ruby, Bill, Albert, Robert, Cyril, and Arthur.

A true perfectionist, Gene even managed to make her last day on earth exceptional, celebrating her centennial with many of the people she cherished most. As her youngest great grandchild observed, hers was the ultimate Irish exit, and one that will be remembered and recounted for generations.

Gene loved school and swimming, earning an academic medal in grade school. She began working when she was very young and quickly became a 98 word per minute typist. In 1943, at 17 years of age, she saw Richard across the room during a dance at the YMCA and quickly told her friends she would marry him. In 1945, after Richard returned safely from WWII, they exchanged vows.

In the late 1950s, the Strother family moved to Pointe Claire, Quebec, where Gene worked for Bailey Meter and later as a receptionist for a real estate firm. As the family’s circumstances evolved, she eventually settled into the role of full time homemaker.

Gene was a master gift giver, a fierce knitter, a devourer of crime novels, an outstanding cook, a buyer of ice cream cones, a bandager of knees, an unflinching shoulder to lean on, and a sender of angels to all those she loved. She kept up with news and current affairs on her computer and TV and was always eager to talk about politics, religion, movies, television, and books. Especially if you arrived around 4:30 p.m., when she was known to enjoy a glass of white wine. This is a tradition she kept until shortly before her passing.

Her family extends sincere thanks to Dr. Jennifer Lyall, Dr. Marianka Coetzee, and the staff of Berwick and Oceanfront Village in Courtenay. Your compassionate care made her final years far more comfortable. A special thank you to the care aides from VIHA who supported Gene at Berwick, and to the frontline staff at Oceanfront Village. Many of you helped ensure her comfort and dignity during her final days.

From the humblest beginnings, Georgina became a true matriarch. She will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered.

Mark 4:30–32 “And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the birds of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.”

Goodnight and God bless.