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March 23, 1938 - February 22, 2021
It is with sadness we announce the passing of Frieda Bakes, née Fast, who died peacefully in Nanaimo Regional General Hospital Palliative Care Unit on February 22, 2021 in Nanaimo, BC at the age of 82.
Frieda is survived by her husband of nearly 62 years, David Bakes; her daughters: Sandi (Gord) Smoker, Deanna (Jeff) Bennett, and Sheri Paisley; her five grandchildren: Amanda (Ryan) Smoker, James (Siobhan) Smoker, Brendan (Andrea) Smoker, Alex (James Green) deBoeck, and Jamie deBoeck; her eight great-grandchildren: Bree Seguin, Eilidh, Ian and Sadie Smoker, Clara, Theo and Matthew Smoker, and Mazikeen Rauser; her sister Mary (Ed) Krause, her brothers, Peter (Betty) Fast, Vic Fast, her brother-in-law, Brian Smith, and many nieces and nephews.
Frieda was born on March 23, 1938 in Yarrow, BC to Peter and Helen Fast. She was the youngest daughter of nine children. She married David Bakes in May of 1959. Frieda enjoyed an early career in banking, later partnering with Dave in establishing Bakes-Jarvie Insurance Brokers.
She enjoyed golf, playing cards with friends, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, gardening, and was often seen cruising Nanaimo in her 1992 Mustang Convertible. Frieda was a lifelong knitter, learning new techniques and sharing her finished projects with family and friends. She was famous for her felted slippers and passed on her love of knitting to her daughters.
The family would like to thank Noelle and team at Island Health Home Care Services and NRGH PCU staff for their outstanding care and support over the course of Frieda's illness and passing.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Nanaimo Hospital Foundation, NRGH Palliative Care Unit, or a charity of choice.


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