Mavis Degirolamo

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of an absolute force of nature. Mavis DeGirolamo passed peacefully at home with family by her side, after having fought four unique cancers concurrently with the determination and love for life that she exemplified.

Pre-deceased by her parents Richard and Edith in 1998 and 2000 and by her daughter Janice in 2019, Mavis is survived by her sweetheart and partner Bill Corbin, daughter Carole (Albert), grandchildren Jamie (Naomi), Alison (Jay), and Evan (Bronwyn), great-grandchildren Hayden, Charlie, Sawyer, and Everett, former husband/friend Lorne (Annie), and family Gloria (Tim) and Victoria, Wendy, Dana, and Julia, cousin Colin (Dorothy) and family in Wales, cousin Angie (Erich) in Germany, her shy cat Louis, and so many dear friends. We have so much gratitude for the excellent and warm care Mavis received from numerous doctors and nurses, the B.C. Cancer Agency, and her palliative care team.

Mavis was born in Lancashire, UK, a week before WWII began. She and her family emigrated to Canada in 1951, first to Saskatchewan, and later to Victoria. She was a fixture in Victoria's peace movement, and peace and love was her philosophy always. Mavis leapt into countless social justice causes with a fierce desire to make the world a better place.

As a teacher for 35 years, Mavis worked mostly with students with special needs. She also served as the President of the Greater Victoria Teacher's Federation and as VP of the B.C. Teacher's Federation. "Ms. D" was much loved by students and colleagues and she adored teaching, especially at Tillicum School, where she spent the last 12 years of her career, immersing herself in all manner of special events and initiatives.

She so loved teaching, in fact, that she took it up in retirement! "Retirement" was a second career for Mavis, and it began with teaching English to immigrants and teaching citizenship classes to those hoping to become new Canadians. So began many happy years in various volunteer roles with ICA. She also volunteered with Glengarry long-term care, Global Village Store, the BC Black History Awareness Society, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, the James Bay Community Project, and a host of other organizations to whom Mavis lent her passion and enthusiasm. She was proud to have been recognized for her community service with numerous awards, including the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal. She was also a stalwart political campaigner, both for her daughter Carole and through many other elections.

Mum/Nan/Mavis was the brightest spark. The best hugger. She could always be counted on for regular laughter and wholehearted participation in fun. She loved travel. Gardening. Reading and learning. Dancing. And above all else, family. She lived life to the very fullest.

Please join us for a celebration of life to be held at James Bay New Horizons (234 Menzies St), Tuesday July 27th from 5 – 6:30pm. Donations in Mavis's name are welcome to the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, The Umbrella Society, The Canadian Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice. She would also be so happy if you would take up a volunteer commitment in your community in her honour.