July 24, 1980 - March 4, 2024
In loving memory ~
It is with aching hearts we announce that our beloved daughter, sister and friend Zara Blue left this world peacefully on the afternoon of March 4, 2024, surrounded with love.
Zara was born Sara Ann Rankin on July 24, 1980, in Campbell River, B.C. She wasted no time in making her presence heard, screaming at the top of her lungs from her very first breath. Precocious and very independent she did things her way. "I can do it!" was one of the first sentences from her lips. Never bothering to crawl anywhere she would position her body as needed and then quickly roll to her destination. At nine months, after hauling her self up onto her feet, she simply walked away. From the moment her little fingers could clasp a pencil she poured forth her imagination onto paper, a lifelong passion that would lead to an Honours B.A. in Fine Art. She delighted in hosting tea parties in her room, complete with hand-drawn decorations and invitations.
Zara travelled through Europe after high school, lived in Montreal for a few years and returned to the island to attend U Vic. Here she met her BFF Evan, a friendship that would last to the very end. While at U Vic she hosted a late-night radio program devoted to her fave musical genre, Swedish Black Metal.
Degree in hand Zara plunged headlong into a career as a French immersion teacher in Victoria. She loved teaching Grade one because it posed the best opportunity to affect their little minds in a positive way. Zara loved the outdoors and as a committed environmentalist strove to instill the same values in her charges. Trips to the beach to collect cool rocks were mixed with picking up garbage and outings to the local park often turned into expeditions to help eradicate invasive ivy. Some of her first students are now poised to graduate from High School a thought that brought a smile to her face during the difficult times. Despite the challenges facing her she always looked forward to returning to class as soon as her health permitted.
Our Zara's star burned brightly for all too short a time but everyone who knew her can smile at the good times and take comfort in the knowledge that she lived life on her own terms and is at peace now.
Friends and family are invited to a green burial service at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, March 15, 2024, at Elk Falls Cemetery 7452 Gold River Hwy.
Sorely missed by Mom, Dad & Kelly, sister Alanna, brother Ahren & Hayley, and friends Evan and Shannon.
"Forever in our hearts"