Carol Masters

Carol was born and raised in Victoria , growing up on her beloved Oscar street. As a girl, she rode her bicycle everywhere in the city, developing- and retaining her whole life- an accurate mental map of all the streets. She attended Sir James Douglas Elementary and then Vic High, where she met Reay Masters.

After two years at Vic College at Craigdarroch Castle, she was off to UBC and boarded with three close

friends, all sharing the same room, at the “Co-Op” in Vancouver. She had many happy memories of the adventures and fun times from those years. In 1945, she earned her science degree-the sole female in her class- and married Reay that fall. The next year, he and his “city girl” moved to a Saanich acreage that over the years became known as “the farm.” At the time she said they were moving “out to the sticks”, but she stayed there for the next 75 years. It had become such a beautiful spot she never wanted to live anywhere else.

At age 40, with five children, she began substitute teaching to help support the family. Soon she was in demand, because she could actually teach, and teach very well. Her favourite students were the cheeky but good-hearted students at Colquitz Junior Secondary. At 50, she enrolled at Uvic to receive her teaching certification and thoroughly enjoyed the academic stimulation. She continued to teach for a few more years and then, for “fun” she said, marked Grade 12 mathematics correspondence papers.

Carol very much valued her membership in her local chapter AB of the PEO Sisterhood for over 70 years, serving as president five times. The monthly meetings represented a civilized oasis from her busy household and the close friendships sustained her.

Carol also had a knack for growing plants, indoors and out, and would often say, “I’m going out to play in the garden!” She especially lovedcacti and succulents, so Reay built her a bright little sunroom where she could both nurture and study these exotic plants. As a president of the Cacti Club, she researched and published articles about epiphyllums. Carol also liked the outdoors, hiking and walking all over the

Saanich peninsula with Reay, exploring East Sooke Park, and enjoying parks and beaches. She always took a daily walk around the neighbourhood, and would chat with anyone who greeted her. In the summers, she loved her late afternoon swims at Brentwood Bay and Deep Cove and a thermos of hot tea afterwards.

She was an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction and enjoyed the weekend crossword puzzles and especially the daily Sudokus, applying her total focus. If she did watch TV, she preferred hard-hitting dramas like the Sopranos, cheerily announcing, “Someone’s about to get whacked !”

She valued her friendships, many enduring since childhood, and she took the time and made the effort to maintain and nurture them- phoning, writing, visiting, organizing get-togethers. Carol had a great sense of humour, always just below the surface, ready to pounce on the unsuspecting with a sly remark or quick quip. Often these “zingers” were delivered with a feigned innocence or a little cackle.

Her mind was a marvel; her children nicknamed it “The Mighty Brain”, and yet she was modest and unassuming. Towards the end of her long life, Carol became increasingly frail, but wasn’t one to complain; she just soldiered on as best she could, managing to push her walker up the

centre of Beaver Road, one last time. Thank you, Jamie, for your wonderful care that allowed Mom to live in her home until her last day.

Carol is survived by sons Robert Augustus (Diane); Andrew Reay (Lois Fernyhough); James Douglas; and daughters Barbara Carol Masters (Ron Bremner) and Cathie Alma Masters (Ray deGraff) as well as ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, five nieces and one nephew.

A celebration of life will take place at a later date when we can all gather together.