Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Aileen Thomson Obituary
May 13, 1946 - May 4, 2025
Aileen was born in Glasgow, Scotland; she emigrated to Toronto in her early twenties. Aileen moved to Victoria in the 1960's; she worked for the Ministry of Forests until her retirement.
Aileen was an ardent animal lover; she donated time and money to several animal organizations, her favorite becoming the North Island Wildlife Rescue Assoc.
Aileen had a forthright manner, a quick wit and a tender heart. Her friends are left to mourn her loss.
Submitted by Val Boswell;
[email protected]
Memories and Condolences
for Aileen Thomson
Sponsored by the Victoria Times Colonist.
7 Entries
Laura Farrell
June 11, 2025
Thank you Val for posting this obit. I have been waiting for David to submit something to her lawyer when I stumbled across this. I was so concerned that her family in Scotland would notified of the passing of this wonderful soul.
Aileen and I were 'cousins' by marriage. We always joked about it because Dwight would technically have been my uncle but he felt we were too close in age to be referred to in that way. So 'cousins' we became. I have so many fond memories of living with them when I first move to Victoria. Aileen and I bonded over our shared love of animals, and she would often remind me of the time when she just watched me asleep on their couch with a dog on either side. I loved her so much than when Dwight left, I chose her as my family and we stayed close for almost 50 years. I was delighted when she moved into the McKenzie as she was close enough to pop in and visit. I remember when she first moved there, she quickly became the 'go to' person for all the elderly pet owners, often walking their pet or administering meds. And Norma, her cat, was equally loved by the residents. She was the only cat allowed to wander the halls because Aileen was so highly regarded by the staff.
During one of our last visits she shared a story of a wee mouse living in their cabin when she was first married. It was on the east coast, with an outhouse, and very cold in the winter. She found this little mouse living under the sink, having squeezed through the hole surrounding the plumbing. She made it a warm bed and left food and water for it. She laughed when she said she knew it was going outside to do its business because she would see the tiny foot prints in the snow on the porch.
Losing her three table mates this year really knocked the wind out of her sails and I pray she has been reunited with them and others she so dearly missed. There is hardly a day goes by that I don't shed a tear knowing that we won't have anymore of the laughter inducing stories we shared. And I know that the staff feel the same way. She truly was one of a kind!
Until we meet again Aileen, you will always been in my heart.
'Cousin' Laurie (aka Laura)
Margo Best
June 9, 2025
Aileen my mother´s cousin. We travelled over from Scotland with my Grandma & Pop. My grandmas was Aileen´s Aunt, Margaret Robertson. Had only met Aileen a few times but I knew how much she loved her animals and we spent the day out walking the neighbours dog around the park. She had such passion for her animals. My mum Margaret Harrigan is lost for words and she will never be forgotten. My brother Kevin Harrigan was travelling and she made him most welcomed aswell while travelling around Canada. Lovely loving person in general. Memories in Canada we will never forget as a family. Rest in Peace Aileen
Carol Pert
June 8, 2025
I am one of Eileen´s cousins from the Pert side of the family. She moved to Canada when I was around six years old, so I don´t have too many personal memories of her time living in Scotland, but I do remember that she was always very good fun and could be quite mischievous at that age.
The last time I saw Eileen was when I visited Victoria many years ago and stayed with our aunt Ellen. I really enjoyed spending time with Eileen during that visit. She was down to earth, kind, considerate, and always really good company. As anyone reading this obituary will no doubt know, she was a natural storyteller and always had something interesting and entertaining to say. Her passion for nature and wildlife often featured in her stories which were always very informative. I admired the way Eileen lived life on her own terms and always stayed true to her principles. She was an inspiration in many ways, and will be missed dearly by her many friends and family, and her many animal friends too of course.
Thank you for organising this obituary Val, it´s lovely way to share stories about Eileen´s life, and show the contribution she made to the lives of others.
xx
Elizabeth
June 6, 2025
Thank you Val for setting this up, Aileen ( Eileen was a wee mistake by Uncle Archie when registering her birth) had many great and long term friends.
I am Elizabeth, the eldest of her Uncle Bill´s daughters. Over the past several years contact between Aileen and me was through emails. I tried to encourage WhatsApp but Aileen preferred emails. I know Margaret had similar conversations. I will miss those emails which were full of information, topical and environmental, also full of her personality, emulating her letters pre digital. I would send links and books of old Clydebank and Glasgow which would prompt stories of our childhood, often involving Uncle Bill and our Nana and Pop. She loved to get photos of family, my children and now my son Tommy´s children, always interested in how they were doing and chuffed my daughter, Lynda, is following in her conservation footsteps. I would try to get her to send some photos of herself but she would only send of others, similarly she would sidetrack questions about her health. She never complained and never made a fuss. This influenced her in refusing a visit, saying she was happy doing and being where she was. The last time I saw her was when I went to Victoria Island following her Dad´s (Uncle Archie) passing , travelling with my husband Tommy and my Dad, to see her and Aunt Ellen. A fond memory I will treasure and wish I´d just gone over there more recently, a life lesson learned. Aileen was a source of comfort when my husband passed, she made sure she kept in touch, understanding what I was dealing with and just say she was checking in.
I miss you Aileen, I can´t believe no more birthday cards or Christmas cards. Indeed it was as your birthday approached this year, my emails went uncharacteristically unanswered and when Margaret had the same it prompted her to call the staff at the home when of course they gave her the news. Your stories will be with me forever Aileen, I´m completely saddened I won´t hear more. The memory of you as a very special part of my life stays close.
I hope you´ve found that rainbow bridge with your 4 legged as well as 2 legged friends.
You always ended your emails with you think of me often, I think of you often xx
Elizabeth
Margaret Harrigan
June 5, 2025
Eileen (Aileen) was my Cousin, whom I shared many years with when she lived in Clydebank Scotland. I was the eldest of three cousins on the Roberston side of the family. I will miss her e mails so much, as that was our contact over so many years. I CANNOT BELIEVE I will not hear many of the stories we shared. So sad. Thankyou Val for sending this information to Scotland.
Joyce Caldwell
June 4, 2025
Eileen (Aileen) was my cousin. We, her 4 Pert cousins in Scotland, are sad to hear she has passed away. She grew up in Clydebank and qualified as a teacher before emigrating to Toronto to join her parents and sister Dorothy. We have fond memories of our big cousins dressing us up while babysitting when we were wee. They were always such fun.
Our late father, her uncle Bill (Pert) was always delighted when he received one of her many letters from Canada. Each one, almost a short story, would go into great detail about a recent event in her life and usually included some photos. He always ensured we all got to read them.
Yes, she was a great animal lover. We know she also had many great, human, friends in her life. Our thoughts and sympathies to you all.
Thank you for posting the obituary Val.
Anne Parker
June 1, 2025
Aileen was a very good friend to my Mom, Valerie. She was a lovely lady and always asked me how my cat was doing. She and my Mom enjoyed interesting conversations and lots of laughs. She was a bright light in my Mom´s life. Sadly my Mom passed away last November, and Aileen missed her deeply. I´m so sorry to hear of Aileen´s passing. We had a nice chat when I saw her last. I was very fond of Aileen and grateful for her caring and kindness. She will be missed.
My sincerest sympathy to her family and many friends.
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results