Born in Hong Kong December 27, 1931, to Dr. James William and Sheila Anderson. Died July 5, 2022, in Victoria, BC.
During the war, Fiona, her brothers and their mother were evacuated from Hong Kong to Victoria where they lived with their grandparents. She had fond recollections of her childhood in Victoria.
In her teens, she attended the University of Hong Kong, followed by schools in Switzerland where she developed a love of languages. She was fluent in French, accomplished in Spanish and she dabbled in Italian and Russian.
Her Italian helped her serve the Italian film industry while she lived in London. French served her well at work in Montréal and later in the public service and socially in Ottawa.
For more than 20 years Fiona lived in a paradise called Kingsmere nestled in the Gatineau hills. She was an avid cross-country skier, hiker, and sailor. Her first paycheque from the civil service went towards a lime-green Laser sailboat which she campaigned in the weekly races on Kingsmere Lake.
Her career with the Federal Government included the International Women’s Year Secretariat and the Office of Official Languages. She began mentoring young women in their careers and continued to do so, touching the lives of many.
When she moved back to Victoria in the 1990s, Fiona threw herself into community service, volunteering for many organisations, notably the Victoria Foundation where she remained an Honorary Governor, Leadership Victoria, the Minerva Foundation, the United Way and many arts organisations, such as the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Volunteering for the crisis line presented situations that strained her proper and perhaps slightly sheltered understanding of the world. She was honoured with Leadership Victoria’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Community Leadership (2006) and the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers (2016).
Fiona had much love for and is loved in return by her brother David (Sandra), her son Alex (Kelly), grandchildren Briar and Annabel; nieces Melissa, Marianne, and Zoe and nephew James; stepson Peter, step-grandchildren Fraser, Seth and Jude. Husband Tom and brother Malcolm (Moira) predeceased her and were missed. Fiona considered family precious, and she was a binding force. She was also blessed with many great friends who she cherished.
Fiona was generous with her time and her wisdom. In her last years her failing cognition and covid restrictions shrank her world. She delighted in receiving visitors, two- and four-legged. Thank you to all who took the time to sit with her, talk to her, and listen to her.
She is free now of the dependence on others which took a toll on her pride. In her next life, may she recover the agility of her youth, the determination of her mid-life and the adventurous spirit of her retirement years.
Donations can be made to a community or arts charity that makes your community stronger. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
-
Ranjit Baines
-
Louise MacDonald Fiona was one of my favourite people. She was always interesting, whether talking about books or social justice, and she was always interested in the people around her. We had many wonderful conversations and some good laughs. She also always made a point of acknowledging the work done by the Victoria Foundation staff, another example of her awareness of those around her. I treasure these memories. My sincere condolences to her whole family.
-
Joan Barton To the Anderson Family.
I have been thinking of you and remembering Fiona with such good memories. She was a true mentor to women (me included)in her earlier years. Fiona was full of life and wonderful, useful ideas. I will always remember her fondly during our time together on the Victoria Foundation Board and with the Minerva Foundation. She was a true inspiration in my life. I know you will remember her with joy, as I will. I am thinking of you all, knowing that happy memories will help to ease your loss.
With love,
Joan Barton
-
Alexandra Gardner (nee Dewsbery) I send my sincere condolences to the Anderson and Hyslop families. Having met the Andersons in my teen years after we came here from the UK I still hold happy memories from that time. May Fiona now rest in peace.
-
Gail Bettger-MacLeod As a previous concierge at Amica Douglas House, I got to know Fiona quite well. What a remarkable, gracious lady she was. I was so saddened to hear of her passing. My thought and prayers are with her family.
Gail Bettger-MacLeod
-
Patricia Houston Fiona is a perfect example of “a life well lived”. She gave of herself with great generosity whenever called upon. I was privileged to be her friend and will always treasure the times we spent together. Gracious, elegant, warm and very kind. Her favourite word was “extrodinary!!” she lived a long and fruitful life. She will be greatly missed.
-
Maureen Applewhaite Sending sincere condolencess to Fiona’s family. I remember, fondly, my time working with Fiona at the UVIC Conference office many years ago. We had many laughs together while working on various conferences. Fiona was always an elegant lady who was an example to many of us.
Maureen Applewhaite
Victoria, B.C.
-
Tim Thomas, Chatham Ontario I would like to express my condolences. My father Ray Thomas was a great admirer and friend of Fiona. They met in Victoria when my father moved there after my mother’s passed away. I was lucky to have met Mrs Hyslop (she would be angry at me for calling her that) many times when I visited my father. Had many breakfasts and lunches, celebrated many birthdays of their small group. Mrs Hyslop was always very friendly and welcoming to me and my family.
I think of her fondly and she will always be remembered.
My sincerest condolences to Fiona’s family. She was an amazing and accomplished woman whose friendship I was so honoured to have. She influenced my life in such a wonderful way. I miss her terribly but am grateful knowing she is at peace. She has left me with many fond memories of our times together. I will cherish those always.