Myrna Hazel (Baikie) Boulding

We are sad to announce the passing of Myrna Boulding, aged 89. She died peacefully and surrounded by family in Comox. Myrna was the oldest child of Wallace and Myra Baikie and is survived by her sister Joanne Campbell, brother Bruce Baikie and a large multi-generational family. Myrna lived a fulfilling life and was often ahead of her time.

As a girl growing up in Comox, Myrna loved horses. She rode often and competed in equestrian events, including, with her father's connivance, occasional horse races. In 1953 she went to UBC to study home economics and there met Jim Boulding whom she married in 1955. They became schoolteachers, teaching first in Nanaimo and then in Campbell River. In 1959, with help from Myrna's parents, they founded Strathcona Park Lodge in central Vancouver Island. They ran it as a camp and wilderness lodge while they continued school teaching to support the business and their growing family. As they realized the importance of teaching the appreciation and conservation of nature, they steered the Lodge to emphasize outdoor education and built the business into one of Canada’s first outdoor education centres. By 1971 the Lodge required their full attention.

Myrna shared in all aspects of running what had become a large, complex business while raising their five children - Elizabeth, Annie, Jamie, Josie, and Nick. Myrna and Jim were visionaries, working on concepts that didn’t have names yet - environmentalism, ecotourism, experiential education, eco activism, reconciliation. When Jim died too young in 1986, Myrna continued to run the Lodge with the help of dedicated staff. As well, she acted as a board member of regional and provincial tourism organizations broadening the concept of tourism beyond hotels and attractions.

Myrna’s son Jamie and wife Christine stepped in to run the Lodge in late 1992. Myrna was asked to sit at the table for the Commission on Resources and the Environment (CORE). Hers was the sole Tourism voice among the big players from Forestry, Mining and Environmental Groups (from 1992-1994). She claimed to be shy but was an engaging speaker when a speech was required.

In 1994 Myrna met Brian Gunn, owner of Big Bar Guest Ranch, while attending a tourism conference. They bonded over a mutual frustration with rural telephone service, eventually moved in together at the Lodge and adopted each other's families as their own. Myrna settled uneasily into retirement, spending more time travelling with Brian and advocating for environmental causes. When Brian passed in 2021, she remained a second mom to his kids, Jackie, Michael and Dylan, and their families.

Throughout her life Myrna welcomed people into her life. She was hospitable and loving to her family and friends, She had a spontaneous generosity that earned her lasting friends - a legion of staff and guests of the Lodge and people she'd met through business and travelling. There was a place at the table for anyone who came by and a bed if they needed it.

Myrna was happiest with a house full of family and friends dining and talking loudly. She was a fierce advocate of good nutrition. She was proud of her blended family of children and grandchildren. We will all miss her.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 2, 2025 at 2 pm, at the Anchor Inn, 261 Island Hwy, Campbell River. All who knew her are welcome.