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Thomson, Alida Mary (Lund)

January 27, 1922 - October 4, 2016

Alida passed away peacefully on Oct. 4, 2016 in Nanaimo, BC at 94.

She is survived by children, Kathryn (Norm) Berg of Nanaimo, Bruce of Vernon, Angus “Gus” Thomson (Karen) of Auburn, CA, and Doug of Duncan, grandchildren, Tom, Heather, Hilary, Wesley, Sean, Anthony and Brianna, and a sister, Jesmondine Thompson, of Whitehorse, YT, also by her sister-in-law, Marjorie Rankin, of Arborg, MB.

Alida was predeceased by her husband, George Thomson, on September 12, 1977, and by her sisters Ruth, Lois and Emeline and a brother, Wilson.

Alida grew up in Stonewall, MB, the second youngest in a hardworking, religious and musical family. She enjoyed singing in choirs, a passion which continued into her late 80’s. She excelled at school and graduated one year early from Stonewall Collegiate and was awarded a Governor General’s Gold Medal on graduation. She earned a BA (Honours English Latin and French) from the University of Manitoba in 1942, and obtained teaching certification at Normal School in Winnipeg. Alida taught elementary school in Winnipeg, MB, where she met the love of her life, George, and they were married Oct. 1, 1948. They moved to Victoria, BC to assist George’s father with his family funeral home business, and in the early 50’s, they moved back to Manitoba so George could pursue his calling as a United Church of Canada minister. The young family then lived in several rural communities in Manitoba before crossing the Rockies to Creston, BC, then to Vancouver and to Vancouver Island. When George died in Nanaimo, at age 54, Alida focused on her children and grandchildren and began a new independent chapter in her life. She travelled frequently, and was a longtime member of St. Andrew’s United Church in Nanaimo, where she sang in the choir until 88 years of age. She maintained her own home and drove until she was 91, when she moved to Kiwanis Villa and made many new friends.

Alida was a special lady with a calm, dignified demeanour. She was loved and respected by all who met her.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27 at St. Andrew’s United Church, 311 Fitzwilliam Street, Nanaimo, with a reception to follow in the adjoining church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Andrew’s United Church Sunday School or to the St. Andrew’s United Church Organ Fund.



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