Obituaries

Gayle Iris Lundy (nee Forsyth), of Victoria, B.C., passed away surrounded by her family on July 30, 2023. She endured a brief but courageous battle with Cancer.  Our family is heartbroken to lose our beloved wife and mom who was a pillar of our family.

Gayle was born on August 22,1940 in Winnipeg to Jack and Iris Forsyth.

She is predeceased by her Parents Jack and Iris, her brothers Bruce and Victor Forsyth, her brothers-in-law Isaac Funk, Rodney and Darvin Lundy, son Darryl Lundy, sister-in-law Yolanda Forsyth, and granddaughter Danielle Poulson.

Gayle is survived by her devoted and loving husband Locksley, and their children:  Brenda (David) Smith, Collette (David)Williams, Michelle (Nick Baggs), Darin (Anna), and Jacqueline Rimmer.

She is survived by 15 Grandchildren: Tiffany (Nolan), Morgan (Lindsay), Talen, Jakob, Bennett (Shauna), Adam (Emily), Jai (Brooklyn), Benjamin, Ryan, James, Preeya (Lachlan), Heidi, Evan, Willow, and Locksley. She is also survived by 4 great-grandchildren: Logan, Phoenix, Daisy Belle, and Milena.

She is survived by her sisters Joy Schenkeveld, and Susan (Wayne) Nicholas, sisters -in-law Phyllis Forsyth, Jean Lundy, and Joyce (Allan) Haugerud, and brother-in-law Gary Lundy.  Gayle is also survived by other beloved parents of her grandchildren: Barry Poulson, Tania Lundy, Laura Lundy and Gary Rimmer.

Gayle is survived by many other adored cousins, nieces, nephews, and “in-laws” in New Zealand and Canada as well as other close friends who became like family to her.

Gayle grew up in Winnipeg and on the farm in Anola and later moved to Eriksdale with the family where she attended schooling and was active in sports and 4H. In 1956 she moved with her family to White Dog Falls building the ON Hydro projects and it was there she met the love of her life, Locksley. It was love at first sight for them both and they married on October 11,1958 in Winnipeg and it became an amazing 65-year love story.

In 1959 they moved to Saskatoon where they soon started a family raising 6 children. Gayle worked at Sears in Saskatoon and enjoyed many lifelong friendships from that time. They enjoyed decades of cabin life at Candle Lake forming many cherished friendships and sharing the beautiful outdoors as a family.

In 1988 they moved to Victoria where she worked for a few years before retirement. She loved being closer to her family, the warmer climate, and outdoor adventures on the West Coast.

She was a loving woman to all who crossed her path and made their house a home, always open for a large last-minute gathering. She was a woman of many talents from master gardener, cook extraordinaire, crafting, pottery, painting, seamstress, to golf, curling and bowling. She taught us to water ski although never took that up herself. Mom and dad loved to travel and enjoyed visiting across Canada and the US as well making several trips to New Zealand to visit Darin’s family, and always keen for a new adventure. No one loved planning for a road trip more than mom, with never a detail missed or item not packed.

The family would like to thank her surgeon, Dr. Cailan MacPherson, GP, Dr. Jennifer Law, the Hospitalist team of physicians and other allied healthcare professionals at Royal Jubilee Hospital for their exemplary care during her extended stay. We were also blessed to have amazing support at home for mom through Victoria Hospice, Home and Community Care including their Palliative team and the Red Cross. Their care and support meant mom was comfortable and surrounded by love always in her final days.

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 30, 2023, from 11:30-2:30 pm (service and tea to follow) at St. Paul’s United Church, 2410 Malaview Avenue, Sidney, BC.

A private Interment will take place at Royal Oak Burial Park, Victoria.