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Olga Ericson

February 21, 2008

Olga Elvera Ericson (nee Olson)

Jan 16, 1917 – Feb 21, 2008


It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved mother,

Elvera Ericson, in Victoria General Hospital on Feb 21, 2008. Mom was in bed, peacefully “all tucked in” with her

family by her side when she started her journey to meet Dad.


Elvera was predeceased by three siblings, two grandchildren and her husband of 67 years, Eric on May 9, 2004. She is survived by a sister Helen Ruskowski, a brother Lester Olson, both in Washington State and four children, Wilma (Mimi) Tydeman (David) of Nanaimo, Rita Deering (Max) of Victoria, Leif Ericson of Sointula (daughter-in-law Birgit in Sweden) and Lorna McDonell of Vancouver. She was blessed with 15 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.


Born in Redmond, Washington, on Jan. 16, 1917 to a Swedish immigrant family, Elvera emigrated to Canada in 1936 after graduation and marriage to Eric Ericson. Eric was a logger, so her first home was a little one room house on a float camp on the B.C. coast. Her love of

gardening was initiated with her success in growing 5 ft. tall snapdragons and colourful nasturtiums in flower boxes. A few years later, home was established in Burnaby where she raised the family while Eric continued to work in the “woods”. During these years Elvera was known for her kindness and wisdom and several of her children’s friends still refer to her as “Mom Ericson.”


In 1967, kids grown, Elvera moved to Sointula, BC on beautiful Malcolm Island, at long last embarking on a life together with Eric that continued for a further 37 years. Mom loved her island home, embracing its people and its beauty and enriched the lives of all those she touched.


Mom’s passion for growing flowers was renewed and her yard soon became a showplace with snowdrops, Rhodos, azealias, geranium pots and summer boxes of pink

petunias. She was an active contributor to the community with her gardening skills, baking and handiwork. There was nothing she wouldn’t bake, grow or sew, be it for her family or her beloved Sointula Seniors Centre. Elvera was a dedicated bingo player and an avid Blue Jays fan,

knowing the stats of all the players.


Prior to Eric’s passing, a move to Victoria in 2003 left

Elvera contentedly close to family for her remaining years. An open house was held at the home of her

granddaughter, where family and friends honoured

Elvera by planting rhodos and flowers in memory of our mother, grandmother and great grandmother. It was her wish to be cremated and her ashes will be taken to

Sointula for burial later in the Spring.




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