Eugenie Hird

January 4, 1933 – July 28, 2023

Rest in Peace, Mom. Genie was born in Winlaw (Slocan Valley), British Columbia. She was an amazing adventurer with endless dignity, elegance and integrity throughout her life. She climbed Mt. Gimli in the Slocan Valley at nineteen, the first Canadian woman to reach the summit. She was one of the first female scuba divers in Victoria, she made her own bikini and was one of the first women to wear them. She taught yoga in the 70’s when very few people even knew what yoga was. Other adventures included hiking, photography, body surfing, fishing, dirt biking, camping, ocean swimming and snorkeling, river rafting the Chilliwack River at 72 years old and the Puntledge River at 78. She went snowshoeing at 82. She loved to travel and her first adventures included hitch hiking around Europe as a very young woman. She then spent time in Tahiti scuba diving, traveling in Hawaii and throughout British Columbia and Vancouver Island (her home since she was twenty). Mom’s final adventure at 90 years old was a helicopter ride over Mt. Arrowsmith, Hornby Island and the shoreline in the area around Qualicum.

Mom was a Registered Nurse and worked as an emergency room nurse. She married my dad, Bill Hook in the late 50’s. They shared many adventures and raised me to love adventuring too. They later divorced. Mom moved ‘up island’ to Qualicum about twenty-five years ago with her partner Wally Sorchinski who shared more exploring and adventures with her. She continued nursing in the geriatric wards. An avid volunteer after retirement she continued to help people and share her positive, outgoing, and upbeat energy. Her final two years were spent at the Gardens in Qualicum Beach where she took advantage of bus tours, trivia, bingo, quiz night, music and anything else they offered!

I couldn’t have asked for a better mom. I feel so grateful to have the knowledge and values she shared with me. Many people comment on her grace, sincerity and concern of others. She was non-judgemental and always looking out for the underdog. Those of us who knew her, friends and  family, will miss her dearly. She leaves her daughter, Denise Hook, her grandchildren Zach Stonley (and Amanda Sleeman) and Chyler Hook (and Alexis Palomino Ramirez); great grandchildren Zoey and Kai Stonley; brother Thor Hird (and nephews Gene, Ben and niece Freda), sister Zita Evans, and sister Louise Myre (and nieces Suzette and Alison). There are many more great nieces and nephews and cousins. She will be missed by friends from many years ago and her new friends.

Mom was always a pioneer and leading people with new ideas (bikinis, yoga, different ways of healing). In the end, she opted to use the MAID program (assisted dying) to avert the pain, nausea and grim end that cancer can bring. I will always have the utmost respect and love for the woman I got to call Mom.

Freedom

Freedom to roam

To hike over mountains

To fly over foam.

Freedom to run,

Freedom to fly.

Nobody now

Is happier than I.

MH.