Rose Marie Baird

Adventurous and independent, Rose, the first of two children born to Frederick and Marion Trafford (nee Goodrich), arrived in Prince George, BC on November 25, 1938. Life's first winter began in the log cabin her father had built in Fort St. James. Closely following was Queen Charlotte City during the war years, then the hop fields of Sardis, gold panning in Leechtown and helping with the running of a small family chicken farm in Sydney, BC. In 1957, Rose married her beloved Alan Baird, a fisherman from Ucluelet. They settled across the bay from Ucluelet in Port Albion before there was road access, with two daughters joining them by the end of the decade. Eventually, the family moved to Qualicum Beach where they lived until Alan passed away. Rose made her final home in Port Alberni.

Rosie had a restless and curious spirit. We remember how often she buckled us girls up and off we would go just to see what we would see. Walks by the river became unexpected waist deep walks inside of the river. A minute's pause became a meandering. She loved nature, long walks and bird-watching. She loved to read, garden and paint. Handy with sewing and knitting needles, crochet hooks and embroidery hoops, we two have been grateful life-long recipients of her handiwork. Rose was predeceased by her loving husband Alan in 1995 and her brother Guy in 1960.

Left to carry on without her... how do we do that? are her loving daughters, Debbie (Daniel) Botelho and Dianne (Keith) Brett. Grandchildren John (Lily) Pezel and Jen Pezel. Great-grandsons Nicolas and Patrik Pezel. Brother and sister-in law Brian and Shirley Baird, their children Doug Baird and Tricia (Ron) Oye, and sister-in-law Irene Baird.

Our deepest thanks to the staff at West Coast General Hospital and the Home Support staff who helped make Rosie's final days as comfortable as could be.

No service by request. A family celebration will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Rose's memory may be made to a charity of your choice.

"Death is no more than passing from one room into another. But there's a difference for me, you know. Because in that other room I shall be able to see."

Helen Keller