Delia von Puttkamer

It is with great sadness that we announce the

passing of Mum, Nana, Gigi - our Delia just short of

her 94th birthday. Although at that age it is never

unforeseen, her death came quickly and

unexpectedly - just the way she would have

wanted. We know that she had no regrets, having

had a near death experience early in her life, she

said her transition would be simply that, a move to

another part of life. She imparted this to her

children and grandchildren, and although we are

immensely sad to lose her physical presence in our

lives, we know she will always be with us. Delia

lived a full life filled with adventure, intellectual

curiosity, excitement, danger, much love and a

desire to guide young people through their lives.

Family matriarch, businesswoman, chef extraordinaire,

art and history expert, race car driver, top skier,

hiker and explorer… Delia was an amazing woman

and lifelong learner. Having lived through

tumultuous years in Germany during WW2, she

would pioneer the Canadian wilderness with her

husband Jesco and young family and help create

some of the first eco-tourism in British Columbia.

In the 70’s/80’s she ran an amazing household on

the waterfront entertaining a growing family:

(daughter Carina, (David), and children, son Peter

(Sheera) and f i n a l l y i n her wonderful view

apartment on the slopes of West Vancouver. Later

in life she met Sam Alexander while schussing

down the slopes of Whistler. Together Sam and

Delia drove across the country multiple times on

lengthy very adventuresome road trips, often

taking the road less travelled (the Hurley Pass?)

they had amazing ski holidays in the Rockies, went

on fishing trips and toured Europe as well. She

spent many summers creating memories on the

shores of Gull Lake with his children Arden, Peggy

and brothers, and their many young children.

In Delia’s later days she loved nothing more than

spending time with her children, Carina, (David)

and Peter (Michele), grand and great grandchildren,

reading a good book, listening to her tiny

radio, and good glass of wine in the evenings,

often with her son-in- law David, while watching

the harbour activity and stunning sunsets over the

water.

She loved her grandchildren immensely: Philip,

(Sarah) Matthew and Caroline (Ken) and was a

very important and ongoing part of their lives. She

adored her great grandchildren who filled her with

joy and happiness: Parker, Easton, Harry, Fox and

the most recent addition Piper.

Our special thanks to Josie for providing such

good companionship for the past years and loving

care at the end, and Anna/Katrina for her good

humored weekend support. A private celebration

of life will be held at a future date.