December 11, 2011
In loving memory, we announce the passing of our mother, Arlene Parker, on December 12th. A resident of Parksville for the past 17 years, mom was predeceased in 1995, by our father, Ken Parker, her husband of 40 years.
She is survived by her son, Dan Parker and his wife, Roxanne (Oshawa), her daughter Roxey Edwards and her husband, Al (Parksville), and daughters Joan Michopoulos (Delta), and Jackie Parker (Parksville). Arlene was the proud grandmother of Kenneth and Amanada Okrainetz, Martin and Meghan Parker, Scott and Jackie Okrainetz, Luke and Amy Parker, Jessica and Bill Curell and Dimitra and Georgos Michopoulos. Her life was further brightened by the arrival of great-grandchildren Adalyn, Halle and Matthew.
Although Arlene’s recent life was plagued by illness, she was often out on her motorized wheelchair, going about the town, specifically to the library for recorded books. Motivated by the need to contribute where she could, Arlene was a caring friend to other Stanford Place residents, helped at the Salvation Army soup kitchen, and was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary. This past November, working with the White Cane Society, she was even out distributing posters for a CNIB event.
As Arlene’s eyesight continued to fail along with her general health, the ladies a the Parksville branch of the Vancouver Island Library continued to keep her supplied with recorded books, her one true source of enjoyment. The family would like to thank these ladies, along with the caring and supportive staff at Stanford place, who added so much to the quality of her life.
The family will join in celebration of Arlene’s life on the occasion of her next birthday.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Parksville branch of the Vancouver Island Library so that others may continue to benefit from this wonderful resource as she did.