Our wonderful mother returned home September 10, 2020, there to be welcomed by her loving husband, Richard (our father), her brother, sisters, mother and father. Born in Edmonton Alberta in 1927, Mom was a fireball! Coming in just under 5 feet, “Mighty Mouse” was a star on the basketball court, held Canadian records in Track, and was the first Canadian woman to jump her height. Throughout her life she continued her passionate race through life. Never slowing even in her 70s taking Senior Olympic metals for Lawn Bowling.
Mom organized Newcomer Clubs wherever she and Dad moved, was a C.G.I.T (Canadian Girls in Training) and Girl Guide leader, and was always up for a game. Any Game! Mom was our family’s biggest fan. She never missed a track meet, swim meet, game, play or concert. We can all still hear her yelling “Go! Go!” from the stands.
Mom never stopped as life ran along. She took up tennis at 60 and only paused for a bit at 80 to get a new hip. Edith, who by now was known by many as “Granny’. was living in Arbutus Ridge and loving life. Playing tennis and being part of that vibrant community. After the passing of Richard, “Granny” moved back to Victoria.
Granny (Mom) stayed a constant volunteer adding to her previous years of service with young women’s organizations, committees, sport clubs, and stratas. She spent many rewarding years at the MS society, then The Commonwealth games. Mom (Granny) was wherever she was needed in our lives and the lives of her community.
Mom and Dad were blessed with the opportunity to seek new adventures and opportunities including Edmonton, Vancouver, Calgary, Burlington, Lions Bay, Victoria, Cobble Hill, Hawaii, Arizona (especially at SunCity and SunCity West). Through it all Mom continued to seek out areas to be of service and have fun.
Granny became a fixture in Esquimalt within the lacrosse community and schools. Everyone seemed to know Granny, still the fireball with the infectious smile (and occasional supportive out burst).
In her last few years Mom, now firmly identified as Granny, took on a new challenge. Not by choice, but even with an unrelenting disease she worked hard to make it work. Eventually the Alzheimer’s dementia got the better of her and she passed quietly with family September 2020, in Victoria, BC. The family knows she would want to thank the amazing group at Brentwood House, and wishes she could have said “good bye”.
Drew and Debbie, Dean and Lesley, Dawn and Evan Fredrickson; your grand kids: Danny, Megan, Max, Wil, and Soleil; and your great grand kiddies: Owen, Ben, David, Rosie, and Lily, and your adopted ones: Jim, Alison, Jaclyn. and Dawn II Hara.
Granny has gone now to her next big game and until we meet again, if you are listening Mom “GO! GO! YOU GOT THIS”
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Dean
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Dean 3 years of watching rainbows
STILL A CHILD
as Altimerzier took her awayShe forever changed rainbows:
they had always meant ends
and beginnings
colours changing cool to warm.
They were signs from God;
good news, new worlds, peace.
Then one morning she was here
her mind clouded in pasts
jumbled and shifting in storms.A rainbow touched down
“right there in the field!”
The newness sparked a clear end,
to all the years of fighting.
She smiled, shouted her epiphany
“it is beautiful”, it still was,
even in a darkening mind.I looked, I saw, embraced her
weeping at this new end
never to see those colours the same.
She forever changed rainbows.
-dean
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Dean Christy It’s been a tough year Mom.
I’ve lost your number.
I so want to call,
play our game,
“hello my mother”
“hello my son”,
one more time,
maybe two.
-dean
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Dawn Christy Long may you run, Mom!
Love you and miss you so very much!
XO
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Jeff Candell Jeff Candell
It was a pleasure to know your mother if only a little! I would meet her starting many years ago when she came to church with Dean and Lesley, but more poignantly as she came to Lighthouse Church over the last several years. Edith always had a great smile and that only seemed to be larger in her final years. She didn’t have many words on Sundays her last year or so, but she beamed bright. My own mother is only a little taller than Edith was, and has the exact same hair, and favoured ensembles from Talbots as well. So I shamelessly called her Mom when I saw her on Sunday mornings and told her how nice she looked in her beautiful outfits. How encouraging it is to see that her children enjoyed her so much, and never outgrew the pleasure of her companionship.
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Natalie Agate To Edith’s family:
On behalf of The Social Butterflies of Victoria, we would like to offer our sincere condolences.
Edith was a very special lady. Loved by all,for her enthusiasim, charm, sparkling personality & beautiful smile. Edith really enjoyed all the wonderful concerts & day-trips which we presented & was always the life of the party. A real honour & pleasure to have known her.“A life well lived” Rest in peace, Edith.
Natalie Agate & Mark Fisher
The Social Butterflies
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Debbie christy Mom…I love you and miss you….we did have our fun adventures didn’t we …..❤
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Susan Louise Chudleigh Dawn and Family,
I was honored to have met your Mom. Whenever I would bump into you and Granny it was so easy to see the love you both had for each other. There are certain people that touch you in a special way. Granny was that for me as after I left my day was always better for having seen her. I will remember her always with her special smile and kind spirit.
Love and hugs to all, Sue
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Jillian Bice I have so many fond fond memories of Granny C… starting from when Dawn and I were in our teens driving her nuts with our endless antics, and leading to her famous phrase (said with hands on hips and a stern look): “Now girls, who was the instigator this time?!”… all the way through to our saner adulthood. Granny C was always happy to see the people she loved and cared about (and there were many). She radiated comfort, coziness, and caring. She had strong opinions and a really great laugh. She was always the jazziest dresser in the room, from her big chunky necklaces to her cute Talbots ensembles. Granny C would do anything for her family, she just loved them all so much. She truly was a Mighty Mouse, and added so much comfort and happiness to so many lives. She is greatly missed. I love you Granny C (sorry for all the grey hairs!) xoxo Jillian
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Sandy Lough So sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom. It’s been many many years since we lived “a street over” in Calgary. Your Mom was always helpful and kind, and definitely gave me great pointers in running track. My heart goes out to the family.
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Megan Peddie Sending hugs to the family. It is so true that she was a huge supporter of her family and a great cheerleader! Granny’s smile and energy will be missed by so many.
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Dean Christy Thank you all for taking the time to remember Mom (Granny) those that just visit and read and those who leave a message..
To Rosemary: it would have been the 40s early 50s! Time flies. We have a photo of you all running around the track for those glory days. Your comment and memories are why we placed her notice in the Journal. We are so happy you found it.
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Rosemarie McKernan nee Butti I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Edith Christy, I knew her as Edith Skitch at the time I also knew her father, who was her greatest supporter, fan and coach and was always with her. This was in the 1960″s in Edmonton, Alberta and we were both on the Edmonton Track Team – “The Edmonton Polar Bears”. We all had uniforms and competed in the Canadian Games that were held in Edmonton at that time. A golden time for us. She was a wonderful team mate and it just seems like yesterday we were all jogging around the track in the old “Clarke Stadium” in Edmonton. My condolences to your family but just think of all the wonderful memories she has left everyone.
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Brad Vosburgh Dean and family
Your mum was very very special to us. I fondly remember many many weekends at Lion’s Bay where she greeted me with her warm and open heart. I especially remember the large puzzle on the dining room table and the large jar of chocolate chipits on the counter. She always had a big smile and a kind word whenever we saw her. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
Brad and Theresa
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Stephen & Maureen Bickley Dean,
I am so sorry that you (for the moment) have been separated from your dear Mom Edith. It was a great privilege for Maureen and I to have known her in the time she regularly accompanied you and Lesley to Providence Community Church in Oak Bay. Edith’s kind and positive demeanor affected all who knew her, in that she was a most kind and positive influence to all who made her acquaintance. May the Lord Jesus give you and the surviving family the absolute assurance that indeed you will see Edith again- to whom the entire Church of Christ can confidently say, “Edith, May you Rest In Peace; Edith, May you Rise in Glory.”
With our love and appreciation for her along with our condolences in your painful loss,
Pastor Stephen and Maureen Bickley.
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Donna Lang So sad to hear if your loss. She had an amazing life and raised a beautiful family.
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family Dean.
Only Four
The first is the hardest
until the second
then third
now fourth.
In the sparkle
I remember
so many before
the first.
Merry Christmas
my mother.
-dean 2024