Sep 28, 1921 - Mar 5, 2018
With love, we say good-bye to Carola Lightfoot, born to John and Clara Austring at Beaver Flat, Saskatchewan. She was a twin sister to Clarice, a younger sister to Oscar, Signe, and Ruth, and an older sister to John and Ragna. The family moved to Pitt Meadows in 1925, where many family members eventually became prominent in the blueberry business.
Mom graduated as a nurse from the Royal Columbian Hospital in 1945. She was the rebel in the family, moving away from Pitt Meadows, and finding employment at the Nanaimo General Hospital where she met her future husband, Arthur. They married, had four sons, while living in Nanaimo and Alert Bay before settling in Campbell River in 1955. While Dad was instrumental in the building of the first Campbell River hospital on 2nd Avenue and was it's first administrator, Mom stayed at home, very busy with four boys, five years apart in age.
When she had spare time, Mom was a lady with many talents and interests. She enjoyed golfing, carpentry, painting, doll making and was especially proud of her Norwegian heritage. She was a member for over 60 years of the Campbell River Hospital Auxiliary. Mom had an indomitable spirit, a great sense of humour and was quick to laugh. Later in life, she was famous for her cookies which every visitor received in abundance to take home. In music, her interests were wide, ranging from country and western to opera. She went to exercise classes up to last autumn and enjoyed reading newspapers and working on sudoku and crossword puzzles.
Mom was predeceased by her husband, Arthur in 2008, her son Ian in 2013 and her daughter-in-law Ann in 2014. She is survived by her sons Allan, Roy (Ruth), Wesley (Janet) and daughter-in-law, Claire. Her legacy lives on with eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren, so far.
The family gives a big thank you to Mom's friends in Campbell River who with their assistance helped her live at home until January of this year and to her excellent doctors over the years.
Mom had a good, long and happy life and for the most part a healthy one. She was a remarkable lady, a contented person and was ready to leave us. We shall miss her very much.
No flowers please, but, If desired, please consider donations to the Campbell River Hospital Foundation or the Campbell River Hospice Society. Arrangements by Sutton Funeral Home.
A celebration of her life will be held Sunday, April 8th from 1:00 to 4:00 at the Campbell River Maritime Heritage Centre, 621 Island Highway. Refreshments to follow.