Ingunn May Kemble

Ingunn May Kemble (nee Marteinsson) left for her next adventure on Thursday February 5, 2026 at sunset. She passed peacefully at home, sent off with love by son Martin, daughter Hana, sister Kathie, granddaughter Magnolia, and daughter-in-law Song.

Born in Port Alberni, BC on July 6, 1941, to parents Hermann and Anne Marteinsson, her family moved to Vancouver a year later when her doctor father went to England with the RCAF. Two sisters, Emily (deceased) and Kathie, and a brother Kris, were born post WWII.

The family moved to the Kerrisdale area where Ingunn played piano from age 4 and attended Maple Grove, Crofton House, and Magee High schools. She loved being on student council in the 50’s, and dressing up with white gloves to go downtown with her girlfriends.

Ingunn met her husband Michael Kemble at U.B.C, where she was also involved with Delta Gamma sorority, making many life-long friends. Ingunn and Michael shared a love of art, music, architecture and global travel. They both loved music of all genres and especially the Vancouver Recital Society. After lots of fun throughout their marriage of over 55 years, Michael passed suddenly in 2019, just after listening to a talk on music, something they loved to do together.

At U.B.C. Ingunn earned a B.Ed degree, studied painting, design, and children’s art development. For 4 years Ingunn taught Art and English at Edith Cavell School. Throughout the years she also taught at all levels, from preschool to university.

She later studied printmaking at Capilano University, and then graduated with honours in interdisciplinary studies from Emily Carr College of Art and Design with a portfolio of prints and paintings which were exhibited at various venues across Vancouver.

A major phase of her life commenced when she became Director of Buschlen Mowatt Gallery for 8 1/2 years, and then later became an art consultant with Merla Beckerman. With Merla, Ingunn consulted on two APEC conferences and for private collections. Ingunn also curated two renowned exhibitions featuring the works of North Shore artists at the West Van Art Museum.

Spending her entire married life of 50 years with Michael in their charming home in West Vancouver, she enjoyed digging in her ever-flourishing garden, while architect Michael was notorious in the neighbourhood for knocking out walls in the house. Her home was always an active hub for wonderful neighbours and kids. Pottery making and printmaking in the backyard studio, and her glorious garden, occupied many happy hours. She was famous for her annual spring parties showing off her amazing Wisteria. In 2022 Ingunn moved to the West End in Vancouver where she discovered a whole new world of seniors with rollators!

Ingunn was always active in the community and greatly enjoyed volunteering for many years, lending her talents to the Vancouver Recital Society, Friends of the Ferry Building, West Van Art Museum, Arts Umbrella, the West Van Public Art Committee and Artropolis. She relished her personal battle for the existence of Klee Wyck in West Van, that had her name in the local papers more than once.

The family camped for 50 years at Heron Rocks on Hornby Island with a remarkable group of friends, through good weather and bad!

Ingunn loved the adventures of travel, including family trips in the family VW van as far as Mexico with two preschoolers, plus expeditions around B.C. with the Dogwood Canoe Club. In later years world travels took her to ancestral homeland Iceland to fly by helicopter over glaciers, a freezing mid-winter in Poland, hot air balloon rides in Turkey, sailing in Croatia, and explorations in Bali, Ecuador, Europe, China, India, Asia and more.

Sociable Ingunn loved the company of old friends at many lunches, and with her canasta friends and always an avid reader with her book club groups.

A wise and clear communicator, Ingunn will be fondly remembered for her positive influence in all her endeavors. She was grateful for a life very well lived, with precious memories of a wonderful family. She leaves behind daughter Hana Kemble, son Martin Kemble, Sister Kathie Marteinsson, brother Kris Marteinsson (Chris), granddaughter Magnolia Kemble, daughter-in-law Song Xianjun, and nephews Matthew Marteinsson (Tanya), Cristos Doulis (Lisa) and Brandur Coombs (Shannon).

Ingunn sends eternal hugs and deep thanks to her so very dear friends over many years who made her life so complete.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory will be gratefully accepted by her beloved Vancouver Recital Society.

The body stops

The heart beats on slowly

For just moments

Till quiet

The spirit expands softly

Shining

Ingunn Kemble, Feb, 2026