January 20, 1950 - July 12, 2017
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, and friend, Wesley Mary Stevenson (nee Saunders), who was born on January 20, 1950 in Vancouver, BC, where she enjoyed a happy childhood with her 3 sisters, a loving mother and a devoted aunt in the West End of Vancouver. It was there, especially during her years at King George High School, that she created many happy memories and lifelong friends. With the devastating loss of her own mother in 1974, she was ready for a fresh start and a new adventure in her life. So began the move to the small community of Protection Island, just off the coast of Nanaimo, BC. It was here that Mom built her most cherished memories as a wife and mother. From chopping wood and making fires, living without power and running water for several years turned this city girl into a strong and innovative woman. Mom found so much joy in the simplicity of life with her young family and also found new life-long friends amongst this tight-knit-community. The happy times we shared as a family on this beautiful island are too many to list. Eventually Mom settled with her family in the small city of Nanaimo, where she finished raising her 3 daughters and 2 sons. As a server at Gina’s Mexican Cafe for 20 years, and then as a bartender at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #10, Mom was known and loved by many within the community. She befriended her customers in a truly genuine way and took great pride in offering them more than just food and drinks; she was a friend to all and a surrogate mother to many. She truly loved people, especially children and the elderly, and she adored animals. Even during her final days in hospital, Mom took such pleasure in helping strangers. From fetching water and making the bed for her elderly roommate, to offering a hug to an overwhelmed woman who was losing her twin sister, Mom offered what she could to those in need. This level of kindness was a virtue that she instilled in her own children and the legacy that she now leaves behind. In lieu of flowers or donations, please offer a smile to a stranger, a book or a toy to a child, a warm cup of coffee to the homeless, or your time to the elderly to listen to one of their amazing life stories. A Celebration of Life will take place at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #10, 129 Harewood Rd, Nanaimo, BC on Friday, August 18th at 4:00pm. For those who cannot attend, please feel free to share comments, memories or sentiments with Mom’s family at www.piercysmtwashingtonfuneral.com (look for Wesley Mary Stevenson under the Obituaries and Services listing). Lastly, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the many doctors, nurses, and support workers who offered medical advice, care and hope to Mom during a time of great uncertainty. Thank you especially to Dr. Karen Gelmon, Dr. Wendie Denbrok and Dr. Stephen Lam at the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver, BC; to Dr. Peter Edmunds at Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver, BC; to Karen at Bayshore Pharmacy; and to Dr. Silcox, Dr. Marshall and Dr. Neufeld and the wonderful nursing staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Comox, BC who cared for Mom during her final days.