It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Ann Margaret (Spencer) Taylor, who passed away Wednesday March 22 at the age of 89. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Ted in 2006. She leaves behind children Robert (Ronaye) in Portland, Paul in Castlegar, Daphne (Tom Graham) on Salt Spring, and Trish (Bruce Lovstrom) in Calgary, plus grandchildren Alieska, Mollie, Samuel and Jason (Portland), Emma and Erica Rimmer (Salt Spring), and Reid, Anya, Kyle and Calan Lovstrom (Calgary).
Ann was born and raised in Vancouver, the only child of George and Alice (Scott) Spencer. She attended University Hill School where she developed lifelong friendships and a love for both UBC and Point Grey. She received her BA at UBC in 1948, and BSC Social Work from the University of Edinburgh in 1950. During her university summers, she cycled through Europe: a feat for a young, single woman in post-war times. Mum practiced as a social worker in Scotland before returning to Vancouver where she continued her career in the downtown and East side.
Mum and Dad met in the early 50’s, married and bought an unserviced lot in West Vancouver. They cleared it and built our family home at 27th and Ottawa. Mum and Dad were very active with St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, joyously spiking mincemeat with rum for fun and charity. Mum was an ardent supporter of the United Way, Canadian Cancer Society and numerous other causes, as well as a member of the Junior League and Kiwassa. She developed a healthy obsession with recycling well before it was a thing. She was proud of how little actual garbage she produced. During the 70s she assisted in the English department at Hillside Secondary school. She always loved good grammar and appreciated a well written essay.
Through the late 60s and into the 70s our family spent every summer and most weekends at Rainbow Beach Resort, here on Salt Spring, and never quite left the island. Mum loved “fishing” around Booth Bay and Sansum Narrows, always with crosswords and Craven A’s in the boat, but not always with bait. In the 80s Mum and Dad gave in to the inevitable and bought their house on Vesuvius Bay, and watched over the beach ever since.
Mum was extremely active on Salt Spring and had an enormous social circle. Over the years she volunteered at the Library, Salt Spring Seniors Services, and the Tourist Information Center, where she would occasionally play hooky, taking a total stranger on a personal driving tour of the Island. She was a member of the quilting group, the Canadian University Woman’s Club, and the church auxiliary. She was still an active driver for Seniors Services, and had a shift at the Tourist Center the Saturday before she died.
A few years ago, Mum proudly accepted the Vesuvius Bay Indolent Society’s bobble head Queen award. In 2015 she was awarded the Salt Spring Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year, and was previously honoured by the Lieutenant Governor for her longstanding work with the United Way.
Mum cared patiently and beautifully for Dad in his final years. They loved each other deeply for more than 50 years of marriage. They were wonderful travelling companions, and exceptional parents and grandparents.
Mum talked to everyone and listened to everyone. She was trusting, fiercely independent and very kind and giving. Mum had style. She was well known for her irreverent, outlandish, conversation-stopping sense of humour — dry, sarcastic, witty and full of terrible, terrible puns.
She loved family. She loved life. She felt very lucky, and was determined to “stay put” with her cats in her beloved Vesuvius home, watching the flag, the water and the ferry. She would have been quite pleased with herself for passing away there without too much fuss.
Thanks to Dr. Resnick and Joan and Margaret for such loving care over the years, her many other caregivers, and to the Pharmacists who kept things straight. Thanks to all her friends and neighbours, especially Sally and Elvin, for watching out for her. Thanks also to Dr. Gummeson, Jacquie Byron, Chelsea and others for such compassion at the hospital.
Mum was a very special woman. She will be hugely missed by family and friends.
A service will be held at All Saints-By-the-Sea in Ganges, April 29, at 2pm.
Bring your love and your sense of humour.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Salt Spring Foundation, The United Way, or the BCSPCA.
Condolences can be left at: http://www.haywardsfuneral.com/book-of-memories/2887116/Taylor-Ann/index.php