Lucy Gillian HARKER

SHIRREFF, Lucy Gillian (nee HARKER) September 30, 1941 October 28, 2009 Gillian has reached the golden shore she often talked about. Born and raised in Vancouver and a resident of Victoria for many years, Gillian was a loving and supportive daughter, sister, wife, aunt, cousin, godmother, and friend. Predeceased by her mother Lucy (nee Clegg), her father Douglas Harker, and her husband John Shirreff, she is survived by her sisters Judy Brown and Jane Slater (Mark), cousins Christopher Harker (Catriona) and Joanna Wilkinson, and a wide circle of family and friends. Her life was inspired and inspiring. Educated at the Vancouver School of Art (now Emily Carr) she was a gifted visual artist. In the middle of her life she joined the Victoria READ Society as a learner and soon afterwards a wonderful poetic voice was born. She went on to author several books of poetry and prose, and one of them, Schizophrenia, the Dark Horse", explored her personal experience of suffering from a thought disorder. She was a delegate to numerous conferences and on one occasion went to Parliament to advocate for people with mental illnesses and for those overcoming illiteracy. Gillian spent many happy days painting, publishing, organizing parties, raising funds for charities, serving on the board of READ, collecting gifts for children and friends, pouring affection on her feathered and furry friends, budgies and lovebirds and a hedgehog, Sugar. She never forgot a birthday or an important event. She had an infectious laugh and a girlishly clever sense of humour. During her final days in hospital she was more interested in the activities of others than her own circumstance. She accepted her death but believed in life. Gillian continues to enrich us through her poetry and art. I see you now, And I will see you again Where the cloud meets the river At the forty fourth bend... Love, Gillian (June 18, 2009) A celebration of Gill's life followed by a lunch will be held on November 14th at 11:30 am in the hall at Chown Place (on Harriett Rd one block north of Gorge). In lieu of flowers, a contribution is requested to the Human Exchange Society, the Marmot Recovery Foundation, or Project Literacy. Grateful thanks to the staff of the Royal Jubilee, the Victoria Mental Health Centre, and to her long time case worker, Sharon Wiebe. 567803 Published in the Victoria Times-Colonist from 11/7/2009 - 11/8/2009