Pamela Vivienne Brown

Born in Hampshire, England, Pamela had a happy childhood despite growing up during the war. In her late teens Pamela trained as a registered nurse and midwife at Middlesex Hospital, beginning a lifelong passion of caring for others.

In 1952, Pamela married Robin A. Jones and together they emigrated, with their eldest daughter, to Canada in 1954. Robin had joined the Royal Canadian Navy and he began his career in Nova Scotia. In 1966, the family moved across the country to Victoria, and she embraced this new location whole-heartedly.

Pamela earned her BSc in Nursing from the University of Victoria and dedicated her professional life to providing a high standard of care to her patients over the years. Pamela’s compassion extended beyond her career — she was deeply committed to volunteer work, serving meals at Our Place, supporting newcomers at the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre, and participating in countless community activities.

Pamela’s marriage ended in 1974 and a few years later Pamela met the love of her life, Harry Brown, and they enjoyed many happy years together.

Pamela was a devout Christian, attending bible study classes and singing in several church choirs over the years.

Pamela came from a family of competitive, accomplished swimmers and she was no exception. She enjoyed long ocean swims and a proud achievement was when she became a member of the Solent Swimming Club, swimming from Ryde, on the Isle of Wight, to Southsea, Hampshire.

Her greatest joy was found in the natural world. Passionate about protecting the environment, she actively supported various logging protests over the years. She loved gardening, hiking, and exploring the great outdoors. Pamela hiked the West Coast Trail, the Cape Scott Trail, Seven Lakes Basin in the Olympic Mountains, and many others over the years. She and Harry also thoroughly enjoyed their canoe trips. Some of those include the Bowron Lakes, Megan Lake, and the Broken Island Group in Barkley Sound.

Saturna Island, which she described as “just a dream,” was her cherished home for many years — a place where she was active in her church and community. In 2009, when Pamela turned 80, she threw herself the most beautiful birthday party and people came from near and far to celebrate with her.

Mum decided to move to Victoria in 2012 and her beloved property was sold to the federal government and is now part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.

A lifelong learner and traveler, Pamela studied French and Spanish and delighted in exploring other cultures. Her travels took her to Hawaii, Arizona, Washington, Mexico, a cruise through the Panama Canal, Rome, China, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia — Hawaii holding a special place in her heart.

Pamela was predeceased by her husband, Harry, daughter Vanessa, great-grandson Michael, and siblings David, Malcolm, Diana, Valerie, and Susan. She is survived by three daughters and seven stepchildren — Betty, Carol, Susan, Mike, Harry, Roger, Denise, Colleen, Valerie, and Steve — along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, too numerous to count.

Pamela spent her later years at The Glenshiel, where she lived independently from age 83. She participated in many activities while living there but her favourite was Scrabble.

She will be remembered for her compassion, strength, curiosity, and unwavering generosity of spirit.

A service to celebrate Pamela’s remarkable life will be held in Victoria on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 11 am at Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a cancer charity of your choice.