November 24, 2021
Maureen Ann VanDerAuwera (Forrester), age 83, of Parksville, BC passed away suddenly on Wednesday, November 24th, 2021 while vacationing at her winter home in Mazatlán, Mexico. She is survived by her 4 children, David, Charleen, Robert (Karen), and Steven; her grandchildren, Jason (Shannon), Melynda, Robert (Christina), Tara and Breanna, and by her five great-grandchildren. She will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by all who knew her.
Mom was born and raised on the family farm outside Victoria in 1938. She went to nursing school and traveled around Canada with the Military for several years. She finally settled down back on the Vancouver Island and carried on her career at a local hospital until her retirement. Once retired, the simplest pleasures in life, such as hiking, swimming, and boogie-boarding brought mom great joy. Mom had a soft spot for animals and enjoyed the companionship of the dogs she owned over the years. She could often be found swimming or hiking the trails of the Englishman River near her home in Parksville and along the beach in Mexico with her fur-babies. Her happiest times were spent with her family and boogie-boarding with her children and grandchildren when they would visit her in Mazatlán. She loved getting together with family and friends over a glass of wine - chatting and laughing about all the good times. Mom had quite the green-thumb. Every Spring, she'd collect moss from the woods near her home and would make the most beautiful flower baskets for her deck. They were absolutely stunning.
A private family service will be held in Calgary, Alberta in the Spring of 2022 to honor a life well lived. Condolences or any stories/photos you would love to share with the family can be sent to: rkhutley@shaw.ca