Emily Joy Bylsma

Emily Joy Bylsma passed away at her home in Port Alberni on July 30, 2018. She was such a special girl. She loved on everyone she met, was so brave in the face of so many physical struggles, and was an incredible worshipper of God.

For 17 years she blessed her family: dad Brad Bylsma, mom Aimee Mather, stepdad Fred Mather, brothers Jack Bylsma, Sam Bylsma, Joe Bylsma, Dan Bylsma, sister Esther Bylsma, plus her Opa Keith and Oma Corrie Devries, aunt Theresa (Bill) Ashe, aunt Irene (Kevin) Hill, uncle Mark (Allie) Devries, uncle Paul (Laura) Devries, aunt Miriam (Sean) Faulkes, aunt Shirley Bylsma, aunt Anna Bylsma, uncle Ross Bylsma, plus 22 cousins, and is survived by them all.

She was born September 20, 2000 in Langley, came to Port Alberni in 2004, and lived an active, involved life here. She bowled with the Special Olympics team on Saturdays, was at the heart and centre of the youth group at her church, an enthusiastic student at ADSS, and just embraced every opportunity to meet people and be involved. In early June 2018 she was hospitalized for heart failure. After getting home on July 16, she spent her last days surrounded by friends and family, just as she had wished. We are so grateful to the team of medical staff and caregivers at BC Children’s Hospital and Canuck Place, and to Dr Chris McCollister for their loving care of Emily and our family.

There will be a celebration of Emily’s life at 2:00pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at the Italian Hall, 4065 6th Avenue, Port Alberni, BC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Canuck Place (a hospice for children in Vancouver) 1690 Matthews Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6J 2T2.