STEPHEN CHARLES READ and GWENDOLINE ANNE HOAR

STEPHEN CHARLES READ (1950 - 2024) and GWENDOLINE ANNE HOAR (1944 - 2024)

Stephen died peacefully, with dignity and surrounded by love, using MAID at St. John's Hospice at UBC on July 6, 2024, after more than a year battling pancreatic cancer. Born July 23, 1950, in Mitcham in Southwest London, UK, Stephen came to Canada in 1972, settling in Vancouver. Arriving as a trained machinist, Stephen switched careers, training as a massage therapist and Reiki Master (lucky are those who were treated by him), and eventually becoming a library technician to follow his love of books. All through this, he played guitar, enjoyed music and enchanted listeners with his lovely baritone. Meeting Gwendoline Hoar in 1993 lead to more than 30 years of laughter together as they climbed mountains, walked beaches and hiking trails, cooked feasts (his curries were amazing) and read widely. Their November 1st wedding in 2002 was marked by forgotten blinking skeleton lights from Halloween and laughter that rang through the house at their discovery. Stephen's calm, mindful ways were a balm to Gwendoline when downsizing from their old house resulted in stressful renovation delays and lost items from the movers, but they settled into their new space with its many comfortable, quiet reading spaces and enjoyed their peace.

Predeceased by his parents, Daisy and Herbert Read, and brothers, Stephen was survived by Gwendoline for three months before they were reunited in death. He is survived by his loving stepchildren, Geoff (Cheri) Hoar and Jennifer (Sean) Hoar; and step-granddaughter, Alyssa (Justin) Buchanan; as well as his caring extended family. He will be greatly missed by friends for his "British sense of humour," often called Monty Python-esque and for his big heart.

There will be no funeral at Stephen's request, but donations can be made in his honour to support Music Education, Hospice Care or Cancer Research.

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Gwendoline died peacefully at home in Vancouver, BC, on October 20, 2024, following a short, but intense, battle with esophageal cancer. Born in Kelowna on June 24, 1944, she often spoke fondly of her early years both there and in Lake Cowichan as a child. Moving to quiet (at the time) White Rock when she was in middle school was a shock, but she found the library and read everything she could get her hands on.

On "Freedom Day," September 9, 1962, she left for the University of British Columbia, where she met her first husband (David Hoar) and over time (while having children) completed both a Bachelors degree (English Literature) and a Masters degree (Library Sciences). After working for Thompson Berwick & Pratt Architects and the Attorney General's office, she landed at Lawson Lundell Law firm in 1977 and stayed for the rest of her career. In her off time, Gwendoline loved to hike (she walked to work every day for years and hiked most of the north shore mountains), bake pies (sour cherry was a fave), practise yoga and tai chi, attend theatre, Early Music and opera productions and read, read, read!

She was predeceased by her loving husband, Stephen Read; parents, Roy and Jo Hunt of White Rock; brother, Brian; and sister, Shirley Lavigne; and is survived by her beloved children, Geoff (Cheri) and Jennifer (Sean); and granddaughter, Alyssa (Justin) Buchanan; as well as a loving extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be greatly missed by her circle of friends who always knew that if they were looking for a book, it was likely in Gwendoline's personal library.

There will be no funeral at Gwendoline's request. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Cancer Society or to children's literacy programmes.