Kama Dawn Money

On August 20, 2025, at the age of 43, our precious daughter Kama completed her life’s journey and did so with deep love, grace, courage, and dignity. May her spirit continue to rise and shine. Paramahasa Yogananda said, “Teach me, oh spirit that whether I am living or dying that an all protecting spirit encircles me.”

Two summers ago, Kama was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer. After this diagnosis, she delved into cancer research and best practices, then began intensive traditional and naturopathic treatments. Kama held a positive attitude combined with strong determination to eradicate or, at best, to manage the cancer. All was having a positive impact, until it wasn’t.

Although Kama’s life was not as long as we’d hoped, she did live it fully and on her own terms. Kama was pretty much an open book and documented her thoughts, vulnerabilities, and experiences on social media. Perhaps one of her biggest gifts was telling her cancer story – allowing others, far and near, to walk beside her through this journey. She raised awareness of the increased number of younger people being diagnosed with colorectal cancer and the importance to lower the screening age.

Kama was born in Nanaimo, BC and moved to Port Alberni with her family for Grade 1. After graduation, she earned a Teaching Degree from UVIC and taught at ADSS and VAST. She also taught at the White Rock Learning Centre in Surrey for four years before returning to live in Port Alberni and to teach in SD70. Kama was an energetic and compassionate educator who was often able to personally connect with students and support them to increase their educational engagement. She promoted and practiced acceptance and belonging and encouraged students to stand up against inequality by being involved in social justice projects.

Kama was a lifelong learner and earned a Master’s degree, became a certified Yoga Instructor-225 hour training, and, during her illness, she enrolled in coursework in Self-Realization Fellowship, as well as online classes for watercolour painting. She was actively engaged and learning until a few weeks before she passed.

Kama was a social being, with a great sense of humour and a deep throaty laugh. Foremost, Kama was a proud and fearless mother to A.J.; she was always supportive and planned frequent outings and adventures for the three of them. Her son, partner, family, and friends were her everything. Kama also loved to travel, explore trails, museums, other communities and countries.

Kama loved and was actively engaged in her Port Alberni community, who in return, gave back and supported her. During her healing journey, Kama focused time on her artistic endeavours. She sketched and painted pictures of many local businesses, then got pleasure in gifting the art back to them. She organized sketching and painting platforms and events and was very proud that her watercolour picture of The Francis Barclay was selected to be converted into a puzzle.

Kama is survived by her 13-year-old son A.J., her partner Mike, parents Laurie and Laurie, brother Tristan (Emily), nephew Huxley, niece Ella, Aunt Jo, Uncle Rick, Aunt Sharon, Uncle Brian, and many loving relatives and friends. Two years ago, she was predeceased by her loving grandmother, Betty Atkinson.

Kama requested no service. Instead, at a later date, she asked for a small outdoor gathering of family and close friends with a scattering of her ashes in a nearby waterfall. Kama requests we plant trees and, should you wish to donate in her memory, please do so to West Coast General Hospital Foundation, CCRAN (Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network), Alberni Valley Hospice Society, Operators of Ty Watson House or Self-Realization Fellowship. (No flowers please.)

For those who have been diagnosed with cancer...Kama always held that everyone’s cancer story is different and because one passes, it does not mean that is your story.

Kama’s physical presence may be gone, but her spirit and gifts will live on.