Ivy Winifred Carlson (nee Field) died peacefully, following a stroke, on August 9, 2022. Born in Toronto on September 12, 1924 to the Reverend Reginald Field and Muriel Field (nee Statham), Ivy grew up in Guelph Ontario, where she loved sports and school. She met her husband, Dr. Herbert Carlson, when he was a student at the Ontario Veterinary College and volunteered to coach her senior high school basketball team. Her family moved to Albany, New York, in 1945 and she worked briefly before marrying Herb in 1946 after his graduation. Married by her father in Albany, Herb and Ivy lived in Ohio, Kentucky, Montana and North Dakota before returning to Canada with their two eldest children, Barry (Moira) and Arlene, in 1954. By the time they left Edmonton in 1965 they had two more children, Brian and Janice (Tim Cottrell). They subsequently lived in Saskatoon, Guelph, Cobham, Surrey, England, and Calgary before settling in Victoria in 1980.
As Herb’s career progressed, Ivy handled her family’s many relocations with her characteristic aplomb. She could fit in anywhere. She was unflappable and a formidable organizer and planner – a true Virgo, as she often reminded everyone. Herb and Ivy made friends everywhere they went, and enjoyed playing bridge, travel, curling, and golfing.
When Herb died in 1992, Ivy remained in Victoria where she continued to enjoy the west coast lifestyle. She was a lifelong Anglican and an active member of the congregation of Christ Church Cathedral. She enjoyed music, played piano into her 90s, and had season subscriptions to the Victoria Symphony. She was actively interested in family history and organized and hosted a reunion of her father’s extended family. She exercised regularly by taking a daily walk downtown from her Rockland condo and working out at the YMCA. She was extremely proud when the YMCA gave her a free lifetime membership when she turned 90. She loved dark chocolate and ate a few squares daily as a “health measure”. She enjoyed travel and had great memories of Europe, Tobago, Hawaii, her year in England, Alaska, and her many cross-continent summer family camping road trips in the family trailer to name a few.
Ivy maintained a lively correspondence with a number of old friends and neighbours from her many moves over the years. Her four children all ended up living in Victoria also, and she very much enjoyed family outings and events. Fiercely independent, she lived in her condo on her own, in excellent health, until the age of 95, when a series of small strokes caused her to develop dementia, which slowly progressed during her final two years. Her memories of her early years remained strong, and were a great comfort to her.
Ivy will be sadly missed by her four children and their spouses, her grandchildren Jesse (Louanna Atkinson), Zoe Younger (Matt), Alec Cottrell and William Cottrell, her great grandchildren Meghan Carlson and Paige Carlson, her sister Lois Fink, her many nephews, nieces and friends.
Warm thanks to the staff of Glenwarren Lodge, Ivy’s home for the last 8 months of her life, for their loving care and kindness.
In accordance with Ivy’s wishes, a funeral service will be held at Christ Church Cathedral on Monday, August 22 at 10 a.m., followed by a reception at First Memorial Funeral Services and Garden of Memories (4725 Falaise Drive) at noon.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Victoria Hospice.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17