Nyra Eleanor Groves

It is with great sadness that we announce the final journey of our beloved Nyra, who passed away in Victoria on Sunday, July 14 just a month shy of her 94th birthday. Nyra is survived by daughter Melanie Groves (Jen and family) and Felix, Victoria; son Cameron Groves, Saturna Island; brother Don Dow, Kelowna, nieces Jen, Susan, Cindy, nephew Colin and families; sister Gloria Brooks (Gary), niece Lauren and great-nephew Oliver, Kelowna; sister-in-law Audrey Dow, West Vancouver, niece Claudia, nephew Chris, niece-in-law Sharon and families; nephews Rick, Doug and Tom Ellis; and many extended family members and friends. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Stan Groves, parents Harry Grant Dow and Minnie Dow, brother Ron Dow, nephew Gordon Dow and sister-in-law Pam Dow.

Born in Turtleford, Saskatchewan in 1930, Nyra spent her early years in the rural community of Paradise Hill. In 1941, the Dow family relocated to sunny Penticton, BC. During high school, Nyra was an executive member of Penticton Teen Town, and began her journalistic career as a cub reporter for the Penticton Herald. After graduation, she trained as a teacher and taught for a year in Terrace, where she met future husband Stan Groves, of New Westminster. They both enjoyed bowling and square dancing, and married in 1951.

Nyra and Stan began their married life lakeside in Vernon, where she became a radio reporter at CJIB, the local CBC affiliate. She developed and hosted the Stars in Miniature children’s program, and enjoyed interviewing memorable Okanagan characters. She also emceed fashion shows, inspiring her own elegant style and a love of dressing to the nines that never waned.

In 1958 Nyra and Stan pulled up stakes for the sandy shores of Beach Acres Resort, Parksville. While running the resort with Stan, sister-in-law Joyce and brother-in-law Bert Ellis, Nyra was also a devoted mother to her two children. During these years she nurtured her passion for writing, honing her skill in poetry and prose. Two of her plays were produced, including Pigeons in the Park, and she published countless freelance newspaper articles.

After moving to Cobble Hill in 1981, Nyra trained as a travel agent and started her own business, All About Travel, in Duncan. She founded the Arbutus Travel Club and, with Stan, led seniors’ tours to far-flung destinations. She particularly enjoyed her many visits to Cuba and the friendly people she met there.

With Stan, Nyra was a gracious host of special dinners with cherished family and lifelong friends. She loved to follow the news on CBC, read historical fiction and beautify her home with fresh flowers from their gardens. She also relished opportunities to crush opponents at Scrabble! She enjoyed music throughout her life, and lent her rich alto voice to choirs and singalongs.

In 2006 they moved to Sidney. Ever independent, Nyra continued league bowling well into her 80s and—always writing—produced a series of short stories about her life growing up in Depression-era Saskatchewan.

In her last decade Nyra encountered health challenges but bounced back time and again, amazing us all with her determination and resilience while maintaining her sharp wit.

Our sincere thanks to the team at Gorge Health Centre Arbutus View unit, and staff and friends at The Cedars.

A celebration of Nyra’s life will take place on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2 to 4 p.m. at Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion (1070 Tillicum Road), Victoria.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Penticton Secondary Schools Bursary & Scholarship Foundation or a charity of your choice.