ALICE HORSMAN

Following a brief illness, Alice Horsman of Wilson Creek died peacefully on February 9, 2018. The fifth of seven daughters, Alice was born on a farm in southern Saskatchewan to Anna Wilhelmina and Leonard Tilly McDonald on March 10, 1924. She and her six sisters were raised in Carnduff, Saskatchewan during the Great Depression. Although their material circumstances were severely pinched, given the richness of the family life they shared it was a period that was later described by her mother as "the happiest of her life". Following in her mother's professional footsteps, Alice graduated as a Registered Nurse from Regina Grey Nuns Hospital in 1946. She married Leslie Horsman of Indian Head, Saskatchewan in 1948. In 1950 and 1956, their two sons were born. In 1971 Alice moved to the Sunshine Coast, acquiring her cottage by the sea in 1975 where she lived happily ever after. Alice's characteristically positive spirit informed and enriched the world around her. Professionally, she knew nursing was the right occupation for her, although a career in singing was a close second choice. Among her accomplishments as a healer, she stitched our family dog back together when he was caught in a hay mower on the farm early on. Much later, following her own retirement, Alice nursed her severely ill sister on a hospital bed in her living room for eight months, bringing her back to healthy life, enabling her to live an additional 20 years and, notably, know her grandchildren. Alice's personal life was similarly enriched by her creativity and strength of character. She crafted in multiple mediums. She sewed our clothes, knitted us sweaters, crafted jewellery from rock and wood, made furniture, built her kitchen, refined her home, and born a natural soprano who sang professionally when she was younger, filled her living space with music. Life being what it is, Alice's 93 years were not completely blissful. Although she was not a hockey player, when she believed her cause just, her elbow work in the corners could be formidable. Her life was not without extreme hurt. The death of her youngest son, Tracey, in 2015 dealt a blow that permanently dimmed her more normal, prior luminosity. That acknowledged our awareness that her long life was fully lived, does ease our grief. Artisan, musician, storyteller, healer, homemaker, provider, life guide, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Alice we thank you. A celebration of Alice's life will be held later this year. Predeceased by her son, Tracey, Alice is survived by sisters Laura and Kathy, her son Peter, daughters-in-law Linda and Bina, her granddaughter Anais, her grandson Kyle and extended family and friends. On behalf of Alice, the family expresses their heartfelt appreciation to her professional care providers, notably Arletha Gojevic of Halfmoon Bay for her years of care and affection, the VCH personnel who attended to Alice at local institutions, particularly the team at Totem Lodge in Sechelt, and Dr. Joerg Jaschinski of the Cowrie Street Clinic for his perennial attentions. Although not necessary, a contribution to the Hospital Auxiliary would be preferable to flowers.

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