May Deller

DELLER, May (Turnbull) August 12, 1933 - January 31, 2018 At Victoria, British Columbia. Mother of Walter (Toronto), Terri (Brandon), and Ted and his partner Jason Vogelsang (Regina). Predeceased by her husband, William (Bill) Deller, and her parents Norman Leslie (Scarth) Turnbull and Ellen Grace (Atkinson-Levins) Turnbull. May was the last surviving member of a family of six: Bob (Ivy Hall), Connie (Derry Ashcroft, Bill Choptuik), Jessie (Jack Woodhouse), Leslie (Dennis Wrightson), and Heather (Gordon Thurston). May began her career as a teacher at Randale School, north of Shoal Lake, Manitoba, after completing high school, and then after attending Normal School, in Beulah, Manitoba until she married Bill in 1953. Together they farmed north of Shoal Lake until 1974. Subsequently they lived in Neepawa, Manitoba, Brandon, Manitoba and finally in Victoria, British Columbia. In most places she lived May was involved with the United Church in various ways, including as a CGIT leader for many years, and as a Commissioner to General Council. Her circle of friends was wide and strong, and she and Bill opened their home to guests from many parts of the world over the years, with whom she continued to stay in touch until she was into her 80s. She read widely in politics, environmental issues and feminist theology, and enjoyed conversations. May was a person of strong convictions, and participated in a variety of activist groups over the years. A memorial service will take place at First Metropolitan United Church, 932 Balmoral Road, Victoria, BC, on Saturday, February 17, 2018 at 2:00 pm. Interment of May's ashes will take place at Argyle Cemetery, near Shoal Lake, Manitoba, later in the summer at a time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Our Place Society, 919 Pandora Avenue, Victoria, BC V8V 3P4 https://www.ourplacesociety.com/donate