Rhoda Elizabeth Paine

Rhoda Elizabeth Paine passed away peacefully on February 07, 2018 in Sechelt, BC, at the age of 88. Middle daughter of Florence (born in Maidstone, Kent, UK) and Sydney (born in Cork, Ireland; both deceased); loving wife to Clive for fifty-three years (deceased); beloved mother to Colleen (deceased); beloved mother to Renee (Harvey), Errol (Estrelisa) and Lorraine (Jerry); devoted grandmother to Darren, Mark, Hayley, and Tamryn of Cape Town, South Africa and Wesley, Warren, Shawn, Sheldon and Kevin of Gibsons, BC; loving great-grandmother to thirteen great-grandchildren; and cherished friend to many. Rhoda was born in the Orange Free State, South Africa, to parents who had emigrated from the United Kingdom during the diamond rush years in South Africa. The family of seven endured the Great Depression years, followed by the Second World War years in which Rhoda’s three brothers served in the North Africa and Italy campaigns. Rhoda met Clive shortly after the war, and he too (along with five brothers) had served in the North Africa campaign. Rhoda often spoke of these years as foundational to the person she became: devoted to family, extremely hard-working, yet retaining a ready and heart-warming sense of humour to see her through hardship. She was kind and loving, smart and witty, yet astute, not suffering fools gladly, and someone who truly appreciated the value of a dollar earned. As family and friends, we appreciated that Rhoda expected things to be done right and to be done well. Across the span of her lifetime, Rhoda worked in clerical positions in medical research, financial institutions, and building management. For many years Rhoda and Clive owned and operated a building supply store. Clive and Rhoda married in 1948 in Johannesburg, South Africa, and were proud and loving parents to four children who they raised in South Africa. Interestingly, Clive was born in Hanover, Ontario and this was to forge the Canada connection in later years. In the seventies, Rhoda and Clive moved to the South Coast of Natal, South Africa, where they lived a glorious life of sunny beaches, great fishing, and immense personal well-being. In 1982 Rhoda and Clive moved to Vancouver, Canada, in what was seen as a way to improve options for their children and grandchildren. The couple moved to Sechelt in 1987 and Rhoda remained very active, working into her sixties. Rhoda loved knitting and all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were recipients of her lovingly crafted and expert handiwork. She loved to look her best, taking great care to visit the hairdresser often and to own an extensive wardrobe of clothes. Even at her most frail, and while battling lung disease, she would cause her caregivers to smile as she insisted on looking her best and continued with the endearing habit of wanting things done just right. Rhoda’s family are extremely grateful to Dr. Simon Reznick for a decade and a half of expert and compassionate care. The nurses and staff at Totem Lodge, Sechelt, provided care and comfort to Rhoda in her last two years. We are very grateful. Gayle MacDonald, trusted friend and care-giver for the past fourteen years, took care of Rhoda’s every need. We are very grateful to Gayle. Heartfelt thanks to Estrelisa Sanson and Fran Heney for their care. A service was held at Devlin Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 14, followed by a reception at 497 King Road, Gibsons, BC.

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