Penelope Joan Charlesworth

Mom was born in Kamloops and grew up on Holmwood Ranch. She spent her high school years living with Auntie and Uncle and the Parks family in town. At 19, she married our dad Ted and soon settled in West Vancouver to raise her family, living on Duchess Avenue for 50 years.

Also known as Gran, Mrs C, Pep or penny by those who loved her, Mom led an adventurous life: camping in the ‘canvas motel’ around BC, the Yukon and Alaska; taking a year to travel around the world with family; and spending many winter holidays in Mexico. Her favourite travels were the summers she and Dad spent in the Yukon with their truck and camper and their dog Charlie. In her 60’s, she even agreed to camp in a TENT along the Dempster highway on the way to Tuktoyaktuk.

Mom was skilled at handiwork, especially embroidering, cross stitching, sewing and knitting. So many of us were the happy and grateful recipients of truly the most beautiful sweaters!

Her memory never ceased to astound us and her engagement with history and world affairs continued to her last day when she voted in the federal election.

Throughout her life, Mom made many, long-lasting friends through her volunteering at the school, girl guides and her church, as well as through her work at Hollyburn Elementary and the wool shops. Later, she joined the Cathedral in downtown Vancouver and continued to bring kindness and compassion, and a willing ear to so many people.

Surrounded by her family, Mom finally slipped out from under the weight of Parkinson’s and joined Dad to roam the hills surrounding Kamloops. She leaves behind many friends and family to share her stories and cherish her memory.