Inez Holtman, (nee Dawson) passed away on October 28, 2004 surrounded by her devoted family. She was the cherished wife of 60 years to Harold and loving mother to Judy (Bill), Gayle (Brent), Janice (Brian), Larry, Jack, and Cath (Dave). She was the beloved Granny to 13 grandchildren: Erin, Stephanie, Matthew, Susan, Sara, Adam, Nolan, Mairin, Justin, Janice, Tanner, Emily, and Stephanie and the great grandmother of Isabella, Tai, Francesca, Charlie, Madison, Koa, Luke, Leo, Morgan, Olive Inez, and Jinnaya. She is also survived by her brother, Allen Dawson (Gloria) of Chilliwack and sister, Edna Robertson of Winnipeg and her many nieces and nephews.
The family is grateful for the special care and many trips Auntie Edna made to Vancouver to support Mum through this past year.
Born in Edmonton in 1923, Inez grew up in Manitoba, attended Gordon Bell High School, and met Harold at the Winnipeg Roller Rink. They married in 1944 and raised six children. Their devotion to one another has always been an example to all of us.
She was a talented seamstress and knitter and designed special outfits for her family from baby layettes and toddler clothes, to grad dresses and wedding trousseaux. Before retiring to Vancouver in 1982, Inez was a supervisor at Revenue Canada’s Winnipeg office. In retirement she enjoyed her grandchildren, golfing, and especially traveling with Harold to the many places in the world her children called home at one time or another. Together they have ridden elephants in Thailand, seen the sun set on Ayres Rock, downed raw herring and onion in The Hague, celebrated New Year’s Eve on the Copa Cabana, and played in the surf in Kauai. At home Inez enjoyed organizing our Easter loonie hunts with all the clues written in verse. She and Harold had a great circle of friends at Panorama Terrace in Abbotsford where she contributed to their social events, coffee parties, exercise classes, and casino outings. Inez was also a member and KOP at the Abbotsford chapter of TOPS, enjoying their meetings and excursions throughout the province, and championing every success of her friends there.
These last years Mum has faced a special challenge because of Dad’s Alzheimer’s disease. She rose to this with reserves of strength, humor, love and grace that preserved Dad’s dignity and inspired the rest of the family.
The family would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Caroline Van Schagen, the palliative nurse Elaine, and the directors and caregivers at the Residences at Langley Gardens (Empress Floor) for their compassionate care of our mother and kind support to the family during this time.
We will miss our mother’s lovely smile and the wonderful appreciation and respect she had for every child’s point of view. At her request, there will be no service. Donations can be made to a children’s charity of choice.