Theresa Alida van der Goes

Theresa was born April 16, 1956 to Philip and Joan van der Goes in Victoria, British Columbia. She was the youngest of a combined 7 children and lived an unconventional childhood.

Theresa graduated from Nanaimo District Senior Secondary in 1972. She then started college at Malaspina, now known as VIU. There she took classes on Medical Lab Technology and met David in 1977 while he was taking Survey Technology.

Theresa and David moved to BCIT to finish schooling and start their life together, marrying in 1992.

Theresa worked as a Lab Technician in Victoria and was approached to consider a new program by where she could transition into medical school. She accepted the offer and, so, a new direction to becoming a family physician. Theresa graduated from medical school at the University of Calgary in 1994 and went on to the University of British Columbia for her residency, completing in 1996.

In 1996, Theresa and David moved back onto the family farm in Cedar and Theresa started her medical practice. She was a dedicated and loved family physician in Nanaimo from 1996 to 2010.

Upon leaving family medicine Theresa acted as a hospitalist for 2 years before transitioning into Medical Education.

Theresa had many hobbies and was always on the go. Always learning and willing to share her knowledge. She was a lifelong musician, playing Early Music with her sister Deborah and many others where she played the viola de gamba and recorder. She enjoyed singing in the Camerata Choir for many years. She also sang with the Vancouver Island singers where she travelled to China and more recently Spain, a trip that David accompanied her on.

Theresa was an active lawn bowler, hiker and could be found running local trails as well as paddle boarding the Nanaimo River.

Theresa was an avid gardener, their home in the Old City neighborhood boasts a wonderful garden thoughtfully designed by David and herself.

Theresa had a love of all thing’s fibre, including raising sheep, she learned to process the fleece, dye the wool, blend the colors, then spin and ply into yarn for knitting.

She had the talent to make her own patterns creating some amazing pieces. Also, an avid seamstress, making many a project she often gifted.

Theresa’s passing will undoubtedly leave a profound sadness in all her knew her. She was an inspiration to everyone with her kindness and curiosity. Theresa had an ability to leave one feeling very cared for, a gift to all her knew her. An amazing woman who lived a life with integrity and dignity.

Theresa leaves her husband David of 47 years, along with his children, Amanda, Robin (Clare), Maia (Mark) and grandchildren Aleister, Cathryn, Beth and Olivia. Her siblings, Joanna, Deborah (Marvin), Jonathon (Kelly), Phillip (Lisa), predeceased by Betsy and Adrian. Her chosen sister Lisa, and many other friends and colleagues.

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to https://give.ubc.ca/memorial/dr-theresa-van-der-goes/ which will aid a medical student, continuing in her lifelong work and passion of mentoring and fostering young doctors.