Rosemary E. Holmes

Predeceased by son Paul in 2006, and husband Bob in 2015. Leaving us behind to miss her so much are her

daughters Diane Milne, Alison Holmes and partner Fernando Juanicotena; sister Marjorie Barfield (Don Barfield); and grandsons Sean and Colin Milne.Other relatives include sisters in law Lorna and Karen Holmes, innumerable cousins on the Holmes and Manson side, and many other relatives and friends in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. Our very close friends in Winnipeg, Al and Joanne Clark, and many other friends there, were so dear to her heart.

Rosemary was a fearless, intelligent, beautiful woman who everyone loved. Just never call her sweet, it was her pet peeve! Born in Consort and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, she finished high school and attended the Royal Alexandra Hospital School of Nursing, class of 1951. She travelled to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, USA to take her Operating Room Nursing training program; a valuable and unique qualification. She worked in the OR at Royal Jubilee Hospital for most of her career, and was in various educator and supervisory roles there. Active professionally her whole career, she was still attending B.C. OR Nursing Group meetings until her eighties! She was a real role model for Nursing.

Rosemary was also a model, and an expert classical and jazz pianist. Before entering Nursing school, she received an Associate Diploma in Piano (ARCT), the highest academic standing from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. She was a voracious reader and graceful conversationalist. She belonged to bridge and book clubs until her late eighties, attended Nursing reunions in Edmonton, travelled, and played golf. Oh, and she was the best mother anyone could ever ask for!

Rosemary met Bob when he was playing in a golf tournament in Edmonton, and went onto over 55 years of marriage. They were a glamorous couple, Rosemary as a model and Nurse, and Bob as a professional hockey player and golfer. They travelled to England and Europe while he played hockey for the UK Wembley team, and in Detroit for a short period while he played with the Red Wings. Settling in Toronto for Bob to attend Chiropractic college, Rosemary worked while he studied. They moved to Winnipeg to set up practice and start their family. We had many happy years there as a busy family. Rosemary stayed home to raise the children, and both were avid members of Kinsmen and Kinettes, belonged to the curling club and Niakwa golf course. We spent most summers at the Clark’s cabin on Clearwater Bay, Lake of the Woods, Ontario, or visiting other friends’ cabins on lakes. We didn't know how lucky we were to grow up with such great friends! It was a whirlwind of fun, flying, boating and parties all the time.

In her 40’s, Rosemary decided she was going to fulfill a lifelong dream to get her pilots license. Our friends the Clarks had a plane and flew all of us around the prairies. So she took flying lessons at the Winnipeg Flying School and achieved that goal too. Our good friends Mary and Rudy Van Der Krogt, who eventually became airline pilots, also flew with her.

In 1976, our family moved to Victoria. Rosemary started Nursing at Royal Jubilee to support our family until Dad set up a new practice, and we settled into island life. She continued flying, and started golfing. She was always doing something that most other women did not do, paving the way forward for women around her. She was well respected by all her colleagues and the surgeons at RJH, a usually unattainable skill - showing how she could find a peaceful way through anything, with that signature wink and a smirk. The huge crowd at her retirement party was a testament to her success in her professional life.

Rosemary gave to everyone she met; so many dinners were spent with complete strangers that she had met on a bus or somewhere else, and brought home to her family and a home cooked meal. Usually they became lifelong friends.

In preparation for retirement, their lifelong dream to live on a golf course at Arbutus Ridge was fulfilled. They were among the first to move in and commuted to work for many years. Once retired, they spent the winters in Hemet, California, where they were also surrounded by golf courses. They met many friends from BC and Alberta there, golfing, partying and generally enjoying life. Rosemary and Bob had many happy years of retirement as a reward for a life of hard work and incredible adventures.

After the pandemic began and her illness became apparent, we moved Rosemary back into her home to be cared for by her daughters and caregivers. Every elder should have that option, our health care system must change. We could not have done it without the loving care by Lisa Enger and Wendy Kerley, who were with us along the 2 year long journey. She called them her best friends, which they were, and we are eternally grateful to them. Thank you also to the Home Support and Palliative Care teams at Island Health. Rosemary died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family holding her hands, while listening to her favorite classical piano.

We take comfort in seeing her flying above us, in the Red Piper Cherokee that she flew with one of the RJH surgeons, that one of my friends now owns. Life has a way of going on.

A celebration of life will be held in the Arbutus Room at Arbutus Ridge, Cobble Hill, BC, on Saturday, September 3, from 12 pm to 7 pm. The family welcomes those who knew Rosemary to attend, share stories and celebrate her life with a party that she would have loved!

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimers or Multiple Sclerosis Societies of BC.