Delphine Charlotte (Carrell) Lowe (nee Segur)

Born in Golden and raised in Revelstoke, Delphine passed away on February 7 at Hilltop House in Squamish with her family and care staff close by. Delphine will be forever missed by her children and their families: daughter Dawn Hemingway and Peter Ewart (Kristin, Kevin and Teruno, Alexander and Molly); daughter Sharon Carrell and John Dittrich (Jenna and Theo with Elizabeth and Arlo, Paul and Jennifer, Katie and Andrew with Robin); daughter Terry Roy and Lorne Cardiff (Teyla with Raelyn and Charlotte, Erica with Carsen, Braden and Sam with Maddie and Nate, Aaron and Kendra with Alexis, Connor and Finley); and son Scott Carrell and Helen Campbell (Brooke and Sam, Hilary). She is also survived by her brother-in-law Jack Carrell, many loving nieces and nephews and so many lifelong and dear new friends.

Delphine was predeceased by husbands Ray Carrell (1990) and Ernest Lowe (2017); her parents Marjorie and Vincent Segur; and her brothers Billy and Donny Segur.

Our mom was a remarkable, intelligent, loving and caring woman who devoted her life to her family and community. These qualities were instilled by her parents, Marjorie and Vincent (Bill) Segur, who strove to make the world a better place. Her dad served two terms as the CCF MLA for Revelestoke and her mom worked hard by his side. Delphine learned early from her mom to “help one another and love one another. Always think about the good things in life.” The Segur family home was a hub for CCF organizing, welcoming many visiting speakers. Even young Delphine was kept busy tacking up notices by climbing onto the shoulders of a CCF supporter. Delphine said, “It’s hard to put into words the feeling of camaraderie we experienced in those days. Life was simpler then, with no thoughts of personal gain or power.”

Revelstoke was the perfect town for growing up for Delphine and her brothers Donny and Billy. Donny and Delphine kept busy with basketball, gymnastics and swimming at the YMCA, summers at Three Valley Gap, swimming at Williamson Lake and fun with friends. Both loved sports and were in the YMCA Core Leadership program teaching children new skills. Later, at UBC, mom played on the Thunderbird’s basketball team. A life-long Vancouver Canuck fan she cheered as loudly from her chair as when Scott took her to a game. Hockey phone calls came after every game from the grandkids and family. She enthusiastically cheered on family members in their sports and other activities.

Mom enjoyed school and in 1947 completed a UBC degree in Government and Economics – quite an achievement at that time for a young woman from a small town and a working-class family. In 1949, she married our dad, Ray Carrell, a locomotive engineer with the CPR. In the years that followed, they had four children: Dawn, Sharon, Terry and Scott. In 1955, the family moved from Revelstoke to Burnaby. Both became volunteers in their new community. Mom taught Sunday School and CGIT at West Burnaby United Church; she was also a Girl Guide leader and volunteered with the ladies’ auxiliary at Burnaby General Hospital. She made a difference in the lives of so many. Her political activities were always woven into our busy family schedule and often became a focus for her children and grandchildren. She was a shining example of what it meant to put one’s principles into action.

Mom said that the election campaigns in “the early days were always so exciting. We had huge all-candidate meetings when each riding would march around the hall with lots of signs, hats and hoopla – and top it off with a great speech by Tommy Douglas.” She cherished and acted on his words: “Courage my friends, ‘tis not too late to make a better world.”

Delphine continued to be a part of every NDP campaign in her Burnaby constituency and many more across the province. When Svend Robinson became a Member of Parliament, she became his constituency assistant. In 2018 at the age of 93, she gave a rousing speech to nominate Svend as the NDP candidate for Burnaby North-Seymour.

Delphine’s life was not only about big picture events like elections, but also smaller things – little acts of kindness and thoughtfulness which she never tired of carrying out. She stayed active as a volunteer with the Stroke Club even after Ray passed away, drove seniors to medical appointments, helped them with grocery shopping, and called those who were homebound to cheer them up. Her outstanding service resulted in the Stroke Recovery Club’s ‘Golden Turtle Award’ as well as honorary Life Memberships in the New Vista Society, Burnaby Citizens Association, Old Age Pension Organization, and the New Democratic Party. Like the ‘slow but sure’ turtle mascot of the Stroke Club, mom slowly collected hundreds of turtles. Most arriving as gifts from friends and family.

Delphine loved to remember birthdays and other celebrations with cards and surprise Happy Birthday phone calls. She cheered up everyone with her warm smile, infectious laugh and great sense of humour. On her many travels around the world she immersed herself in the culture of the people with great gusto. Hot climates with an ocean, lake or pool were favourites. Postcards were filled with exciting news of her adventures.

In 2018, Del moved into the Mulberry Parc seniors’ residence in Burnaby where she made many new friends. She joined the volunteer Welcome Committee, enjoyed daytrips, and playing bingo where she often won. (This continued her lifelong luck at contests including winning a shopping spree, Mexican holiday, a car, a stereo and a wee Irish Sweepstakes prize.) She loved to meet her friends each night at 7 p.m. to bang pots in support of health care workers, to work on daily crossword puzzles and to discuss current events. Reflecting on the state of politics today, Delphine wrote, “We must have a common goal where our policy and actions are based solely on what is morally right, not just on what will win us votes.”

Mom remains an inspiration to all and is already deeply missed. As an expression of sympathy, family and friends may make a donation to the Kamloops Community YMCA-YWCA (www.kamloopsy.org) or Backpack Buddies (www.backpackbuddies.ca) or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be expressed at: www.dignitymemorial.com. In her memory, a celebration of life will be organized at a later date. Mom would want to join with us in thanking everyone who has been there to love her, laugh with her and to support her throughout her long and rich life. She always said, “I’m so lucky.”

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.firstmemorialnorthvancouver.com for the Lowe family.