Candis Graham

GRAHAM, Candis 1949 2005 Surrounded by loved ones the evening of November 22, Candis passed away peacefully. Her gentle spirit and innocent enthusiasm will be long remembered. Born on Valentine's Day in Kincardine on the edge of Lake Huron, she lived most of her life in Ottawa, but for the past five years resided in Victoria, British Columbia. Up with the birds, she loved to begin her days with Taoist Tai Chi alone in her living room followed by a stroll down the streets of her Fernwood neighbourhood. Then she'd sit in front of her computer or pick up her fountain pen and begin work-Candis was passionate for the written word. A member of The Writers' Union of Canada, her short stories, essays, and poems have been published in various anthologies and periodicals including: Canadian Woman Studies, Common Lives/Lesbian Lives, Fireweed, and Grain. Between 1988 and 1990 she was a contributing editor for (f.)Lip, a national newsletter of innovative feminist writing based in Vancouver. In 1990 she published the book Tea for Thirteen, and in 1993 another entitled Imperfect Moments. Then, starting in 1995, Candis developed a series of workshops for the written word. Whether teaching prose or poetry, she had a charm and a humble wisdom that inspired and guided her students. Over the last few years of her life Candis used her part time to create InnerSea, a unique greeting card company that utilized word collage and poetry infused with a sense of Spirit and play. She is pre-deceased by her parents Margaret and Kenneth Graham and survived by her partner and friend Pat McKenna and her sisters Andrea Graham and Kendra Graham-Sedore. A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, December 11 at 3:00 PM in the Church of Truth, 111 Superior St., Victoria, BC. A reception will follow at Candis' home 2215 Spring Road, Victoria. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Candis Graham Writing Scholarship Lambda Foundation Fund by contacting the Lambda Foundation (613) 728-7774 garysealey@rogers.com P O Box 1090, Station B, Ottawa, ON., K1P 5R3 182956