Ivan Ward Freeman
February 22, 1944 - April 25, 2015
Ivan Ward Freeman died at age 71 on April 25th, 2015. Ivan spent his last months at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital Palliative Care Unit and a short stay at the Dufferin Long Term Care Facility where he succumbed to cancer. Ivan is survived by his son Matthew James Freeman and his brother John Vlad Freeman. The family would like to thank his friends for all their support of Ivan and his family in the last few months.
Ivan was born 22 Feb,1944 at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. His loving parents, Mort Freeman and Helen Pennypacker, soon moved with Ivan and his twin brother John to Ottawa, Jersey City, Montreal, and then Cayley, Alberta in 1947. Later in 1955 the family settled in Calgary.
He received his B.A.in Psychology from the University of Calgary in 1966. In 1974 he earned a master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the U of C. From 1974 to 1977 he was involved in project evaluation research at the U of C. He continued his own extensive research into psychology, sustainability and Buddhism for the remainder of his life.
Ivan put his research into action in the community of Nanaimo when he moved there in 1987, with his second wife, Patricia. He advocated for the advancement of Non-Violent Communication, community gardens, and mindfulness based stress reduction therapy. Ivan was first married to Randie Lind and they had one child, Matthew. Ivan has two granddaughters and one grandson.
Ivan quietly made many strong friendships throughout his life. He loved one on one discussion shared with friends. Ivan will be missed by his friends and family.
“O Nobly Born, O you of glorious origins, remember your radiant true nature, the essence of mind. Trust it. Return to it. It is home.”- Tibetan Book of the Dead.
There will be a Celebration of Life Tuesday, June 16th at 1:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Fellowship Hall, corner of Townsite Road and Millstone Avenue, Nanaimo.