Anne Elizabeth GALE

Anne Elizabeth Gale (O’Dell) passed away on January 29, 2024 surrounded by loved ones. She had struggled with health issues for the past several years and has now found peace. The staff at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital ER and Palliative Care Unit made sure Anne was comfortable in her final hours. Our heartfelt thanks to these amazing people.

Anne was born in 1935 in Langley, BC to Eric Norman and Aurelia Olive (Relly) O’Dell (nee Mufford). She attended school in Surrey, Rose Lake (by correspondence) and Vancouver. She thoroughly enjoyed her time in Rose Lake, even when it dropped to minus 60 degrees one winter. It was there that she was introduced to horseback riding, a pastime she truly loved.

She met William Basil (Basil) Gale in Williams Lake, BC and they were married in Milner, BC in 1953. Anne and Basil moved around British Columbia during the early years of their marriage, living in Williams Lake, Victoria, Invermere, Prince Geroge and finally settling in West Vancouver.  After Basil passed away in 2001, Anne moved to Parksville (Craig Bay), BC where she lived until her passing.

Anne was predeceased by her beloved husband of 48 years, Basil, her parents, Eric and Relly, her sister Joan Evans, and her sister-in-law Betty Louise O’Dell.

She is survived by her four children, their spouses and their families; Stuart, (Susan and Joe); Laura, (Duncan and Erin); Stephen, (Amy, Chelsea, Brad and Amanda); and Scott, (Danae, Grace and Sophia). In addition to her grandchildren, she had five great grandchildren. She is survived by her brothers Eric O’Dell and Jim O’Dell (Jenny) as well as several nieces and nephews and their families.

She is also survived by her dear friend and companion of over 45 years, Sharon Terry. Sharon is a part of our family, and we will never be able to thank her enough for the care and love she gave to Anne.

While raising her family, Anne earned a Bachelor of Education in 1972 and went on to receive her Masters of Education in 1983. She started her teaching career in West and North Vancouver in 1974 and moved to Lytton to teach kindergarten in 1975. In 1976, she became a special education teacher at Prince Charles School in North Vancouver. She continued working with children with special needs until Prince Charles was closed in 1983 and the students were integrated into other schools. She then went on to serve as head of special education at Windsor Secondary School, retiring in 1994.

Anne loved to travel and went on many cruises and trips. She explored the Caribbean, Mediterranean, the United Kingdom, Eastern Canada, Mexico, the Oregon Coast, and many other places.

She was a voracious reader and loved books as much as any person could. She read every type of book from poetry to literature to mysteries to non-fiction. Books were a huge part of her life and she was devastated when she was no longer able to read.

One of Anne’s favourite places was the family property on Cortes Island where she enjoyed many wonderful times with her family helping Basil fulfil his life-long dream of building a log cabin.

Two of Anne’s notable virtues were patience and perseverance evidenced by her many adventures with Basil and their young family including wilderness camping in northern BC and later on, backpacking in the Coast Mountains.  While not necessarily her chosen form of vacation, she was a trooper and begrudgingly enjoyed the rigor and beauty of these trips.

She was a loving and caring mother to her four children, despite the many unexpected surprises and challenges they presented her with over the years. She was a wonderful Grandmother and spent as much time as she could with her grandchildren.

We were blessed to have had her in our lives and are mourning her loss. She leaves a gaping hole in our hearts and will be forever remembered as the wonderful Mom, friend and person she was.

Anne wished to be cremated and have her ashes spread in the waters of the Salish Sea near Howe Sound. She also requested a small gathering of family and friends to remember and celebrate her life. We will honour her wishes and contact people regarding the date and location.

“Time has crept up on me. Old age has wrapped itself around me.” (author unknown) This is from a note found that Anne had written.

In lieu of flowers, Anne requests that you make a donation to a charity of your choice.

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