(Kate) Mavis Catherine (nee Hogg) Edwards

It is with profound sadness that the family of Kate Edwards announce her recent passing in Courtenay, due to complications from a fall. Kate, Mom, Granny, Auntie Mavis, is described by her family as ‘Stoic and loving without condition. One of a kind. Not perfect like the rest of us, but kind, loving, creative, talented, SO independent and so very strong.’

Kate faced unfathomable hardships and loss throughout her life. She lost her mother as a young girl; her first son, Stevie, when he was just a toddler (1960); her second husband, John (2013); ex-husband Peter (2018); brother Alvin (2017); son Mark (2016), and beloved daughter Jenny (2019).

Kate is survived by daughter Nina Christmas (Mike Rennie), foster son Keith Davidson, grand children Hailey (Christian), Taylor (Bubba), Jordan, Dustin (Melissa), Jake (Nicole) and Sara, and 5 great grandchildren (with a 6th one on the way), as well as her sister Margaret and brother Graham in the UK, and brothers Tony and Ralph in BC.

Kate was born in Sheffield, England, and emigrated to Canada with first husband, Peter Christmas, and (then) 11-month-old daughter, Nina, in May 1957. They left Rotherham, South Yorkshire on a whim, to find a new hope and a better life in a different world, at a time when that was such a brave and unimaginable thing to do.

Mavis and Peter raised their children in Roberts Creek, BC, they separated in 1975, she moved a number of times, ran a restaurant, a trading company, tried city life, then in 1984 she moved to the Comox Valley to live near her daughters, Nina and Jenny. She worked for Buckerfields, Social Services and Farquharson's.

Kate married John Edwards in 1988, acquiring three stepsons in the process, Chris, Steve and Eric.

In John she found love and companionship without heartache, describing him as ‘one hell of a guy.’ They enjoyed travelling to Mexico, Costa Rica, Cuba, the United Kingdom, a train trip across Canada (it crashed), and many camping jaunts in their Westfalia van.

Those who knew and loved Kate describe her as an inherently kind and creative woman who loved gardening, painting, leatherwork, stained glass creations (including 2 huge sets of church windows), her many knitted gifts feel like a warm hug when we wear them.

Her niece, Jeanette, from England writes: “Most aunties are someone you see at weddings, christenings, and funerals ... not this Auntie! She was present in my life since I was a young teen and taught me positivity and independence, to enjoy the simple things in life. I cannot describe what she meant to me.”

The family thanks Dr. Itta Winter and the medical team at the North Island Hospital- Comox Valley for exemplary care during Kate’s final days. She leaves us with these final words, first spoken by her daughter Nina when she was a toddler and repeated to all her family and friends over the years, ‘Love you many as the trees.’

Cremation entrusted to Piercy’s Mt. Washington Funeral Home. A happy potluck party with family and friends will be held later, when covid protocols allow. Those wishing to donate in Kate’s honor are welcome to acknowledge her passing with a donation to MARS Wildlife Rescue.