Elsie Gardiner

Born in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, the eldest of 7 children of Mildred & Walter Brass. Mom passions

were her family, her flower garden, and interest in the wider world.

Predeceased by her husband Harry Lowry Gardiner in 1994 and sisters and brothers-in-law Lillian (Dave)

Hlady, Edna Thomas, Winnifred (Roly) Wood, and Marion (Cecile) Nelson.

Survived by her 2 brothers, Tom (Agnes) Devon, Alberta and Sid (Greda) Creston, B.C. and brother-in law

Ralph Thomas, Winnipeg, Manitoba, sister-in-law Mary Lou Gardiner, Vernon. B.C.

Survived by her Daughter Cheryl (Gerry), Langley, B.C., Sons, Harvey, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Keith,

Danville, California. Six grandchildren, Patrick (Jeong Ju), Julia (John), Carson, William and Harry (Katya)

and many nieces and nephews on the Brass and Gardiner side.

Mom saw and experienced many different things as the world evolved during these past 103 years. Early

years were on the family farm in Rosendale, at the age of 16 Mom travelled alone, to England to reside

with her grandparents, returning to Canada after World II broke out, living in Winnipeg, Manitoba,

where she worked as a bank teller, (tellers then were issued a pistol with ammunition, as part of the

tools of the trade). Coming to British Columbia in 1947 to marry Dad and to reside first at the Shuswap,

Anglemont, B.C. where 2 of her children were born, in 1956 the family moved to a logging camp at

Phillips Arm, (situated between Knight and Bute Inlet), which could only be reached by either boat or

float plane. Here, mom home schooled Cheryl and Harvey, in 1958, Keith was born. In 1960 the family

moved to Ladysmith, on Vancouver Island. Mom managed the home on her own for the next 5 years as

Dad continued to work in the logging camp, working 10 days and coming home for 4 days. At 46, Mom

got her drivers license and went to work for BMO in Nanaimo then in Parksville, until she retired. In 1970,

Mom & Dad moved to Nanoose, B.C. where they had built a new home. Mom lived there till 2004 when

she moved to Abbotsford, B.C. and finally to Langley in 2006 where she was able to live until her very

last day.

Mom passed peacefully, at the Langley Hospice, with Cheryl & Gerry present. Mom’s ashes will

join Dad’s, in the rose garden, at Cedar Memorial Gardens on Vancouver Island.

We would like to thank the many caregivers, doctors, and health care professionals who provided

care/support to mom during her last 4 years, this enabled her to remain in her own home till her last

day.

No flowers please, in lieu, a donation to your chosen charity in mom’s memory would be appreciated.