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Rose-Marie Elizabeth Theodora SILKENS

February 23, 2008

Silkens_RoseMarie

SILKENS,

Rose-Marie Elizabeth Theodora

October 28, 1947-February 23, 2008


Rose-Marie was taken from us due to injuries sustained in a tragic accident on December 22, 2007. She has gone to join Bruce, her parents and her beloved pets.

Rose-Marie is survived and sadly missed by her brother Ed, sister-in-law Thelma, Auntie Frieda Driessen, Linda, Eric and Sarianna Borgfjord, the Bendickson family, her relatives in Holland and Australia, and many, many friends. Also greatly missed by Sam, Britta and Juniper.

Rose-Marie was intelligent, humorous, very talented and above all a thoughtful, generous, caring person who touched many lives. She was born in Roermond, Netherlands and came to Canada at the age of five with her family. They lived in several places in BC and Alberta before locating permanently at Sayward in 1965.

After obtaining her B.A. and teacher’s certificate at UVic Rose-Marie did post-graduate studies in Amsterdam and at UBC which led to her obtaining a Masters degree in Medieval Literature. She had successful careers in both Victoria and Vancouver (UVic and CBC) before choosing to live and work in Sayward. She taught French at Sayward School and then worked for MacMillan Bloedel. After surviving breast cancer Rose-Marie started her own plant business, Salmon River Gardens, and wrote many gardening articles. Together, Rose-Marie and Bruce built a happy and fulfilling life which was tragically cut too short.

Rose-Marie’s family appreciate so much the outpouring of love and concern for her after the accident. We know the thoughts and prayers of many have constantly been with her. Our heartfelt thanks to all of you.

Please understand we are respecting Rose-Marie’s expressed wishes by holding no service or public gathering of remembrance. As she would want, please honour her memory in your own way, and especially, find joy in the beauty of the world as she did.

Those who wish, please donate to a charity of choice. Suggestions, if desired, are the UBC Botanical Garden, the Canadian Cancer Society or the SPCA.



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