Geraldine Underwood

1928 - 2021

UNDERWOOD, Geraldine December 07, 1928 - April 02, 2021 We know we must let go of our Matriarch Geraldine Underwood, Family, Friends and Relatives say HIYACE SIAM, "Go if you must, respected one". Geraldine passed away on Friday, April 2, on Good Friday. Geraldine was the daughter of Chuck and Evelyn Thorne of Cowichan, granddaughter of Mary Jane and Joe Peters of SMUNEYMUX AND Malahat, and Bill Thorne and Jenny Campbell of Cowichan. On this day there is much rejoicing as she joins her mate George Underwood, her parents, her dear siblings: Gerald, Gordon, Norman, Ralph, Wally, Jim, Skip, Shirley, Larry, and her children that went before her: Joe and Doug, Maureen Williams, Floyd, and Babies Leslie and Inez and grand-son Matthew Underwood. Survived by children: Barry (Cookie), Mavis, Verna (Joe), Gina, Diana (Dennis), Lisa, Steve, Ina, Kelly (Virginia), Jim (Noreen), Rhonda (Glen), and Charles , and 37 grandchildren and over 33 great-grandchildren and new beginnings with great-great-grandchildren . The family would like to extend profound respect and appreciation to the many Friends, Health Helpers at Tsawout First Nation, Peninsula Stroke Group, Mt. Newton Centre, Hospitals and Saanich Peninsula Extended Care. So many, many wonderful workers, friends, and relatives were touched by the life of Geraldine Underwood and the family appreciates the sharing of those memories whether you took care of her in times of need or knew her as a co-worker working in the famers' fields, in offices, in the public school, and the Saanich Indian School/WSANEC School Board, and Pauquachin First Nation. As a worker she inspired and helped countless people and inspired needed changes to how people responded and treated and cared for each other in circumstances when help and understanding was needed. A woman of quiet dignity she persevered to help families in times of trouble with great wisdom, compassion, and humour. We will never know the breadth of her work. Geraldine was a graduate of Cowichan High School but excelled with fluency in SENCOTEN AND Halkomenem. She had a powerful memory for many years and helped people to connect with the history of their family relationships. Not many could work as hard as Geraldine did physically and in her career. She was a great and supportive mate to George, helping to build the first home, haul wood and water, dropping engines into the boat, picking potatoes and berries, doing laundry, canning fruit and fish, and raising her children to be educated, hard-working, caring people. As a Young Woman she was a great Cowichan swimmer and recalled swimming and playing for long hours recalling her childhood particularly with special relatives Freda Thorne Nahanee and Dorothy George Henry. Her athleticism ran through the spirit of her children in many sports that she did her best to follow whether it was fastball, soccer, basketball and lacrosse. This legacy of sports and family continues in Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren and now Great-Great-Grandchildren who will know the legacy of their Matriarch. Due to COVID restrictions, there will only be a limited service on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Tsawout Cemetery. Family will be inside the cemetery for service with Father Rolf with friends and relatives gathering to surround the cemetery and join their prayers with the family to give them best care at this time.