Jasna Guy

It is with great sadness that we announce, on behalf of our families and the art community the passing of Jasna Guy on November 22, 2023. She fought the bravest of battles with breast cancer for 20 years, and demonstrated to us all that she was a survivor! She continued to be the ever-loving wife, mother, friend, scholar and artist to the very end.

Jasna leaves behind her loving husband Victor Guy of 36 years, her only child Mirko Gilardino, her daughter-in-law Laurence Trepanier and her two grandchildren Mikel and Luca (their “Baka”), in addition to the extended Guy and Bejtovic Families. She was the consummate host – an amazing cook and an inspiration to all of us who enjoy food, wine and celebration! She shared this passion and gift relentlessly with her friends and family, making her memory one of love, sharing, great spirit, humour, superb conversation and incredible wit.

Thankfully, her spirit will also live on through her art and scholarship. Jasna Guy was a prolific artist and leaves behind a beautiful legacy of art that addresses her passion for nature and her concerns for our ever-changing environment. She produced her artwork in a wide range of media, including drawing, photography, printmaking and animations. Jasna generated numerous exhibitions, both locally and internationally, and developed a following amongst a network of like-minded, environmentally aware colleagues, artists and collaborators across North America.

In addition to an artist, she was a citizen scientist, educator and public intellectual. Throughout her life she was deeply engaged with the natural world around her. Whatever she did, she did with extraordinary focus, attention and devotion. As an example, she completed a Masters degree at UBC as an adult, demonstrating her insatiable desire to continuously learn, evolve and gather information. Through this devotion, she acquired a profound knowledge of BC’s native flora, bees, pollen and pollinators – a central tenet of her art and her studies. Her impulse to share remained constant—whether in conversation, in the classroom, with students she supervised, on social media, her website or within her astonishing exhibitions. She resisted the easy path, and was never motivated by financial gain – for her, art was to be shared and accessible – by everyone. And through her passion and pursuits, she cultivated an amazing group of friends, collaborators and artists – all of whom know they were loved.

Her latest art exhibition title couldn’t sum up her spirit and memory better -

“All That I Can Gather”. Through her personal challenges, cancer treatments and other obligations, Jasna gave it her all – to the very end. While she could not be at the opening recently, she would want us all to remember her by enjoying her work and the story she tells which is now on display until June 2024 at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, University of British Columbia. Her artwork can be also be explored on her website https://jasnaguy.com and Instagram @guyjasna.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at the Deep Cove Cultural Centre (4360 Gallant Ave, North Vancouver, BC) from 2-5 p.m. – a place dear to her heart where she had hosted a recent art show and near her and Victor’s home in Deep Cove. Although she loved flowers, she asked that donations be made in her name to the following charities to support her passionate causes. Please join us in remembering Jasna through food, wine, art, friendship and love. She would have wanted it that way.

Jasna’s Preferred Charities

- Lion’s Gate Hospital Foundation for the North Shore Hospice, who were so caring to Jasna. Please make donations on behalf of Jasna Guy www.lghfoundation.com

- Native Bee Society of British Columbia for whom Jasna was a Founding Director. For a tax receipt available through the BC Native Bee Society, donate under https://bcnature.org/donate/. Under Dedication Information select the ‘In Memory of” option and enter ‘Jasna Guy - Native Bee Society’

Many Thanks for your generosity in helping us to remember our beloved Jasna.