ELIZABETH GILLIAN

GILLIAN ELIZABETH UNGER On Thursday, April 28, 2005 in Victoria, BC our beautiful daughter, sister and loving aunt, Gillian chose to end her time on this earth with us, and journey on to a place of peace, free from the horrifying disease that is Depression. Despite the fact she left us before we were ready to let her go, we honour her choice and are overwhelmed by her strength. Gill was the best daughter, sister, loving aunt and friend. We're so thankful and truly blessed that we had her for 33 1/2 years. Her family: parents Neil and Toni; brothers, wives and nieces: Steve, Mary and Chloe; Jeff, Carla and Maryn, and her dog friend Manang are devastated beyond belief. We can't believe we'll never see her again, hear her voice, smell her scent or feel her hug. Gill was born in Toronto and the family moved to BC when she was ten. Our Ladybug was a happy, loving girl with a big wide smile whose future seemed limitless. Nature was always her temple - our cottage, Camp Wapomeo, canoe tripping, backpacking, skiing or walking with her dog through sanctified woods. After high school in White Rock BC, Gill attended UBC, graduating with a BA in Psychology. She worked for Backroads Tours, traveled and then settled in Toronto in 1997, working for Colliers International. Last fall she moved to Victoria and enrolled in graduate school at UVic in order to bravely make a career change. In early adulthood, Gillian was struck with the disease Dysthymia, a form of Depression with Major Depressive Episodes (Double Depression). Characteristically, she went undiagnosed for some years and then fought the disease valiantly for 8 years with uncomplaining beauty. Her reality was a life unfairly overcome with a recurring theme of sadness and pain. Gillian functioned very highly for a depressed person; she excelled at work, was promoted, led 50 day canoe trips, traveled the world, ran marathons, made beautiful pottery, bought her own home, and was everyone's friend, especially the underdog. Such were the goals she set as she strove for recovery. Gilly, with her goofy sense of humour, was loving, caring, ambitious, generous, creative, strong, adventurous, remarkable, and a truly good person. We are so proud of her. The family will bring her ashes to our cottage on Baptiste Lake, ON and celebrate her life with her many friends. She will always be in our hearts, spiritually giving us nourishment and enlightenment. Hopefully, Gill has caught up with her dog, Deacon, and they're racing down the beach chasing the Great Blue Heron. We miss you Ladybug, forever and always and love you muchly ...to the moon and back. Please consider these 3 charities 'In Memory of Gillian Unger'. 1. VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation for Depression Research www.psychiatry.ubc.ca/mood/chair.htm#chair 2. Taylor Statten Camping Bursary Fund Endowment. www.firesoffriendship.com/bursary.htm 3. Wild Arc Animal Rescue www.wildarc.com 250-478-9453