I recall first seeing Ingrid and thinking that she was 
one of the most beautiful women I had ever met. She was at
the Western Front (an artist-run centre in Vancouver) and
we were standing easily 50 feet apart. So I was looking at
her from a fair distance. I thought I was looking at Lauren
Bacall. 

Over the years, she and I got to know one another and
all our visits were so enlightening, so positive, so direct
and lucid.  A true friendship developed. 

I can date this memory from the early Seventies.

Dear Ingrid, we loved you and still do. So many wonderful memories when you were working at The Literary Storefront for the Writers Union of Canada. We had lots of fun and great literary adventures. 
So happy you came and stayed at our place a few years before you passed. And then you came to Sophia, our daughter's wedding. So wonderful that you were there. I felt you leaving for a while and tried to catch you before you departed.  Here's a 1995 photo I found recently. Cathy Ford, Me and You. Love always, Mona

Ingrid was a wonderful receptor, a young persons's magnificence.
She gave me so much space to be myself and we laughed whole heartedly. Ingrid gave me a safe place to land as a young feminist and she encouraged my truth, whomever whatever that might be. I can't say enough the gifts she gave me. They are between us. Love Ingrid my soul sister. Peace Pauline


Ingrid was truly a gem.  LR former Jazz Programmer Co-op Radio.

As ever, the p.s. is the most important in some strange way. Let us remember too, Ingrid Klassen was a consummate, compassionate listener, interviewer, reader, and editor. Her valued and irreplaceable work interviewing artists and writers at Co-op Radio should be catalogued and published. She edited the first and important anthology of B.C. women's poetry, D'Sonoqua. Worked on biography of artist, writer, poet, Roy Kiyooka and saw it through launch and exhibits. Was companion to founder of Caitlin Press, Carolyn Zonailo, and Cathy Ford, for twelve years editing and publishing small press chapbook editions of B.C. poets and artists - predominantly women writers. And she carried all her passions and skillsets with ease, and a warm kind of brandied laughter. Remembered with love.

I loved Ingrid Klassen from the first time I met her, early 1970's, her brilliant mind, and her challenge of every idea, construct, story, possibility. She came with my little family and I many summers to the beach at bella pacifica near Tofino, and my son grew up with Auntie Ingrid honourably in his heart. We solved many world problems on McKenzie Beach, the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the breakup of the Soviet Union, the various and ongoing world conflicts, the oil spill up the B.C. coast which came in for seven years, colouring the sand and shells with streaks of black. We tucked into the old trailer in the monsoons, watched black and white northern peoples television on the twelve inch screen, talked feminism and friendship. Tented too, smoke from the campfire, books in  hand, a nip of scotch, fresh fish. She arrived more than once off the Tofino Bus bearing gifts and the latest women's writing. The perfect friendship and the greatest of sorrows, we all thought for sure she would outlive us, certainly her inspiration for us will. With love, from Cathy and Dwain and Ilya, thinking now of her beautiful white cat in the garden, tomatoes, smoked salmon, her amazing black pen and charcoal drawings and her, yes, patchouli, black silhouette and sensible walking boots. How fortunate we have been to know her.

Aunt Ingrid was a lovely, quiet, kind soul. I have memories of her being always in the background at family get-togethers, quiet and observing, yet when we’d sing carols at Christmas, hers was one of the loudest, most beautiful voices in the room. She had a quirky sense of humor, and a sharp whit. She always smelled of Sandalwood and Patchouli, which made me always want to be near her. 

I’m forever grateful to Aunt Ingrid for spending time with Michelle and me when we were children. I have random memories of staying with her in Vancouver, the heady scent of incense burning in her home, running around a park with lit sparklers at night, and walking along beaches collecting shells. I love these memories and will cherish them forever. 

Peace be with you always, Aunt Ingrid; you will forever be in my heart. 

Ingrid was a dear friend of mine back in the time of her Co-op radio
program.  And following that , we kept in touch when she worked in
book stores.  Ingrid had a wonderful voice & a  true regard for everyone she met.  She told me a lot about her years growing up and all the farming that she and her siblings did.  I had a bit of a connection
to the area of Sardis because in the late 40s and into the 50s, my
family had a little cabin at the far end of Cultus Lake. We had to
drive through Sardis on our way to get there.
  Decades later, Ingrid visited the little cabin on Burrard Inlet which I shared with
my partner, Al Neil for 35 years. Ingrid came to visit once during 
that time, and boy, did she ever love it there ! She smiled all the
time, whether she was shoveling dirt, straightening out the wood pile or simply sniffing the ocean.  She was just wonderful company.  I am so sorry for your loss,

with regards,
Carole Itter

OBITUARIO

Ingrid Ruth Klassen

11 julio, 1944 – 30 marzo, 2021

First Memorial Funeral Services & Boal Chapel and Memorial Gardens

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