Edna Barbara Thomson (nee Yates)

It is with much sadness that we share the news that our mom, Edna Barbara Thomson, died on December 26th, 2022 at Lynn Valley Care Centre in North Vancouver. She will forever be lovingly remembered by her three children; Tony Bosley, Cori Wickes and Michele Courtney, ten grandchildren; Colin, Mitchell, Alison, Kyle, Kendra, Caitlin, Bryn, Grace, Emma, & Georgia and two step grand-daughters Julia & Savannah, ten great grandchildren; Kelyn, Reese, Ryan, Elias, Elsa, Kyron, Cohlson, Rory, Ava, & Amelia, two step great-grandchildren; Jette & Journey and her many loving family members and dear friends.

Edna’s life story began on July 30, 1934 in East Vancouver. She was a loving daughter to her mom Elsie Florence Yates (predeceased in 1960) and in her youth was a caring and close sister to Vilma, Norma and Rene. Edna met the love of her life - Harry Bosley - and married in 1953 at the age of 18 in Vancouver. She set out to master the duties of being a perfect wife and mother, supporting and juggling all of the responsibilities that this huge job entailed in the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s as a corporate wife to an (eventual) top executive at IBM.

Edna’s love of learning and keen interest in education prompted her to go back to school as soon as she could for night classes and day classes at Capilano College, University of Manitoba, University of Toronto and Simon Fraser University; wherever the family was relocated to at the time. She tirelessly coordinated the home and family commitments including a variety of extracurricular music lessons and numerous sports activities for her children. She aimed to ensure that her children enjoyed all of the activities she hadn’t been able to experience as a child. Even with all of this, Edna proudly managed to obtain her Teaching Certification from Simon Fraser University in 1978.

An amazing ESL teacher loved by all who had the good fortune to be in her classroom, Edna worked hard to educate and enlighten. Many of her students also became lifelong friends and her home was adorned with many gifts of unique cultural treasures and art. Edna was instrumental in being one of the original founders of the North Shore Women’s Centre in the 70’s, helping to establish a safe haven and outreach program for women in need of shelter and resources. Edna also fought for certified Adult Education teachers to be a part of the BCTF and won the right for these teachers to have pensionable earnings and benefits. As one of her dear friend’s commented, she was a brilliant writer of compelling letters and well researched articles and always stood up courageously for the things in life that mattered to her.

Her loving and fiercely loyal spirit enveloped us all. Her children and grandchildren will always carry fond memories of beach walks, shell collecting, crab races, fairy gardens, mermaid driftwood and seaweed art, sand castle building, card games, toast soldiers, blackberry and huckleberry picking, rag curls, singing songs, synchronized swimming routines, scrabble and yahtzee games, dancing in the aisles of grocery stores, tap dancing on stages, hiking into nature armed with painting supplies, magical gardens, delicious baking and BBQ’s, forest walks, bird watching, doll house decorating, craft fairs, painting & sketching nature, poetry readings, book discussions, political debates, and always standing up for Mother Earth & nature.

Edna was a bright spark in this world, and yes, sometimes quite a fiery one, and we all knew and respected her fierce and feisty spirit. Edna hadn’t given up her desire to evoke change and she was planning her next ‘cause’ while residing at Lynn Valley Care Centre, which was to improve the state of senior care in BC!

Edna’s happiest place was simply at home in her beautiful little cottage on Bowen Island with her dog Jamie, surrounded by her loving family and close friends, perhaps with a cup of tea or a glass of wine or beer in hand. She had strongly desired to be there until the end, but sadly, health issues impacted that wish.

We love you mom. You are in our hearts and souls forever and will be dearly missed. We will always remember to pick more daisies….

In lieu of flowers, donations to the David Suzuki Foundation or the Bowen Island Conservancy in Edna’s name would be greatly appreciated.

Edna’s ashes will be interred at the Ocean View Cemetery in Burnaby, where she will be close to her mom whom she loved so much. A gathering to celebrate Edna’s life will be held in the spring at the Thomson House, her beloved little cottage on Bowen Island.