Thursday, March 28, 2024
March 28, 2024

FOURNIER, Radha (Leslie) Louise

August 4, 1961 – January 16, 2023.

Radha (Leslie) Louise Fournier of Salt Spring Island, BC. passed away Monday, January 16, 2023 in her sleep after a long battle with cancer. Radha is survived by her siblings, Karen Fournier (CA), Bill Fournier (TX) and Steven Fournier (OR). Also Radha’s adopted daughter AmanDa Bapty and her grandson Benjamin Bapty (SSI). Radha was predeceased in death by her older sister Diana Fournier (1997), her mother Donna Mast Fournier (2006), and her father James Damon Fournier (2019).

Radha grew up in Mt. Angel, Oregon. She graduated from Silverton Oregon High School in 1979. She attended University of Oregon from 1979-1985 majoring in Music Education and minoring in German. In 1982, she studied a semester abroad in Cologne, Germany. In 1984, she returned to study again in Germany, this time in Tubingen.

Post college, Radha moved to Portland, Oregon. In 1986 she continued her travels spending 6 months in Australia. While there, she worked as a helping hand on a large sail boat. This is where she discovered her love of sailing.

In 1987, she returned to Portland and worked at various jobs: Spaghetti Factory (waitress), Blackwell Book Depository (administrative assistant) from 1988-1993; INTEL (customer support, programmer, data-base manager) from 1993-1998 and again from 2001-2003.

In 1990, Radha received her certificate to teach sailing. In 1992, Leslie received her associates degree from Portland Community College in Computer Science.

In 1993, Radha bought and moved onto her houseboat in Scappoose, OR.

In 1996 she met Jay Fraser who shared her passion for sailing. Radha and Jay sailed their boat “Kestrel” from 1998-2001 all along the west coast starting at Puget Sound and moving south along the coast through Mexico and ultimately to Central America. Upon Radha’s return, she and Jay returned to Scappoose, Oregon. From 2003-2006 she worked at Oregon Aero. In 2004, Radha and Jay married and moved to Salt Spring Island, BC (SSI) in 2006.

Once on SSI, Radha worked as a payroll administrator for the SSI school district (2006-2016). Even though Radha was retired, she continued working part-time work at the local grocery, Thrifty Foods off and on until she passed.

In 2009, she ran a radio station called “Green FM CFSI”. Then she created her own radio program called “Heart of the Islands Satsang”, which ran from 2009-2015. In 2016, she was instrumental in starting a new community radio station, “Gulf Islands Radio” (CHIR FM).

Radha suffered from various illnesses over the last 20 years. Despite her troubles, she had a huge heart. Radha was very positive and had a compassionate outlook on life. She always found peace. She was pragmatic, and direct and clear about her point of view and boundaries.

She adored SSI – loved the people, their friendliness and relaxed nature. And of course, she loved the natural beauty of the island. She found joy in her dogs, going into town for her daily chai at Barb’s and going for walks in nature. She loved spending time with her adopted daughter and grandson who brought laughter and joy to fill her life.

She was loved by all those who met her and is sorely missed. Her presence was a ray of sunlight brightening your day.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Radha was also a fabulous potter.
    She made beautiful bowls on the wheel.
    Radha always brought her dogs along when visiting and I loved bumping into her at Barbs or at Mouats Park.
    I was very sad to hear of her passing.
    I have her old pottery tools at the clay school with her name on them. She will still be potting in the studio for years to come.

  2. My heart just dropped as I became aware of Radha’s passing. Such a beautiful and gentle soul! I wish that we had I had kept in touch over the years as I considered her a sincere friend. I feel you now my friend. We shall “meet” again. Forever hugs….P

  3. Leslie- I am so sorry I couldn’t find you before you passed. You were my college roommate and put up with so much B.S. but somehow you never seemed to get angry. I ate your food without asking and sometimes didn’t replace it before you discovered it was gone. I was dishonest, inconsiderate and selfish. I am in recovery and on a spiritual path as I can see you were.

    I am awed and inspired by your life accomplishments and travel experience. Maybe it’s not too late for me to follow your lead and do some more living. I love you Leslie

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

More obituaries

GRIFFITHS, Robert John (Bob)

 Bob passed away peacefully in Victoria, BC, on February 17, 2024. Bob is survived by his son Jeffrey Griffiths and Jeffrey’s wife Anne and...

STRIKE, Arthur Kenneth (Ken)

 On Saturday March 16, 2024 our father, grandfather and great grandfather Ken, passed away peacefully at the age of 89, in the care of...

BRITT, Constance “Connie”

 Connie Britt passed away on March 6, 2024, at age 99. She was born into the Crandall family in Kalamazoo, Michigan, joining older sister...

PEAT, David Wood

 David Peat, aged 98, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 7th at Heritage Place on Salt Spring Island with family present. Born in 1925 in...

Weather

Salt Spring Island
overcast clouds
4.2 ° C
5.8 °
2.8 °
98 %
5.1kmh
100 %
Thu
6 °
Fri
6 °
Sat
7 °
Sun
9 °
Mon
10 °