Some were young, some were old, some had seen and done more than we’ll ever know, and some, we all thought, had so much life left to live.
This is not comprehensive by any means but it’s a list of some of the good ones we lost in 2018.
JANUARY
Lucile Palsson, 99. Palsson was an integral part of the Lake Cowichan community for decades. She was a longtime teacher and librarian at Lake Cowichan Secondary School. Palsson Elementary school was named after her and her late husband Oscar in 1977.
Longtime teacher Lucile Palsson remembered by many
FEBRUARY
Darreld Rayner, 52. Rayner went missing in May of 2007. His remains were located and then identified on Feb. 6.
Lake Cowichan remains identified as man missing for 10 years
Thomas Garth Harvey, 97. A founder of the Shawnigan Lake Historical society and tireless community-minded activist, Harvey was awarded a Canadian Care Award from the Governor General of Canada in 2006.
Nuggets gleaned from today’s news pages
APRIL
Graham Holmes, 31. An avid outdoorsman, Holmes grew up in Shawnigan Lake but was stationed at the RCMP detachment in Nunavut. He died in an accident while snowmobiling with a fellow officer and friend.
Duncan memorial being held for RCMP veteran who died snowmobiling
MAY
Wilma Rowbottom, 77. Rowbottom worked relentlessly for her community, as a school trustee for three decades, and a member of the Legion’s Branch #210.
JUNE
John Horgan, 71. Horgan, who was serving his first term on Duncan council, was a respected businessman who owned and managed Discovery Honda for more than 20 years.
Duncan councillor John Horgan dies
Rosalie Power, 70. A proud member of the Cobble Hill Farmers Institute and Queens Golden Jubilee Medal winner in 2002, Power also was a proud member of the Shawnigan Cobble Hill Farmers’ Institute and Agricultural Society, Cowichan Green Community and more.
Rosalie Cavell (Lynch) Power obituary
JULY
Tony Jackson. Jackson was a beloved Sahtlam volunteer firefighter.
Sahtlam firefighter dies tubing on Cowichan River
SEPTEMBER
David Boyd, 80. Boyd owned and operated the market part of Russel Farms Market for many years alongside his cousin, Russell Stewart.
Former owner of Cowichan Valley’s Russell Farms Market, David Boyd, dies
OCTOBER
Nels Olson, 94. Mr. Lake Cowichan, as he was known. A believer in volunteerism, he was known to drive cancer patients to Victoria for treatment, deliver Meals on Wheels, rescue stranded boaters on the lake, and more.
Family, friends remember ‘Mr. Lake Cowichan’: Nels Olson
Denis Martel, 67. A non-stop booster for his town, and its wildlife, Martel was a much-loved part his community, well-known and respected for his work as a conservationist and his work with Wilderness Watch.
Death of enthusiastic environmentalist Denis Martel a shock to Cowichan Lake area
Margot Izard, 74. Well known around Duncan as “the face behind the camera”, as Duncan city council’s official council meeting videographer.
