Phyllis Jean Rae

With sorrow in our hearts the family of Phyllis Jean Rae share the news of her passing on October 8, 2024.

Phyllis Jean Westgate was born on September 22nd, 1935 in Verwood Dorset England, the second of three girls. Mum grew up in the country and would often talk of spending hours out walking the paths over the moors. A love of animals led to a degree in Animal Husbandry. This love of animals and caring nature would span her whole life.

Mum came to Canada in 1963 where she met her soulmate and partner for life, Laurie Rae, on a blind date in Toronto. After marrying in Calgary and moving to Vancouver in 1966 they welcomed the first of four children, one daughter and three sons who were blessed to have a stay at home Mum who baked bread, grew a big garden, milked cows and churned butter, corralled pigs and chickens, and took care of us running around on the farm living the best life ever.

Mum decided to work in health care and worked double duty to go back to school to complete a caregiver degree that she used working in White Rock as an in home caregiver, eventually working in Chilliwack’s Bradley Centre in ECU after the family moved to Chilliwack in 1984. Mum retired at 70 years of age from this career.

Mum and Dad travelled together on river cruises to the Amazon, trips down-under to visit family in New Zealand and England, holidays in Hawaii, Scotland, Portugal, and Mexico. Mum loved adventure and keeping active. The garden at their home in Ryder Lake was a labour of love but her family were the most important to her. Her husband, Laurie, sons, Stephen (Sandra, Bradley, and Carter), Conrad (Jodie and Brandon), Andrew, and daughter Brenda (Larry) were her shining lights.

Mum was loved by all and will be dearly missed.

Till we meet again…