Karyl Frances Richards

December 22, 1948-Dec 13, 2025

My beloved wife, Karyl has passed away peacefully at The Priory in Langford, Victoria at the age of 76 years after being diagnosed with dementia in 2020.

She was a woman of great courage, resilience and faith and because of these qualities one of her achievements was helping my son, Adam and I start a new life in Canada. Never a woman who indulged in self-pity, she faced life’s challenges with a determined and positive attitude and as a resident in long term care facilities she was loved by all for her dignified and peaceful manner and infectious smile.

She excelled at photography, cross-stitching, knitting, crocheting, doll making, cooking, gardening, genealogy, album making, book writing, home renovations, sky-diving and running a B&B. She loved her home close by to Esquimalt lagoon where we lived for 30 years that gave us great access for biking and walking.

She worked at many jobs including pumping gas, hostess for Air NZ, house cleaning, cashier, sales assistant, bank teller, real estate and travel consultant always adopting a serious and responsible work ethic. She loved travelling and this took us to Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Seoul, Hawaii, Israel, Mexico, Britain and Ireland, California, The Maritimes and Prince Edward Island.

How we met is a story of its own with both of us divorced (me with two children and Karyl childless), Karyl coming from Victoria, me from England both with different backgrounds and faiths somehow meeting at a small coffee and dance get-together of ex-patriots in Israel that eventually led us to being married in Cyprus 42 years ago.

We slowly became best friends and soul mates, then adopting a common faith that allowed us to believe that if one of us should pass away it would only be as a temporary separation. Of course we were both far from perfect but we were perfect for each other.

I am totally grateful for the nursing and therapy staff at VGH, Gorge Road hospital and particularly, The Priory for their wonderful care.

We shall be having a small private service.