Carol A. McPherson

McPHERSON, Carol A.
Carol A. McPherson, age 81, of Sidney, British Columbia, passed away on December 29, 2024, at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital. She was born December 21, 1943, in Port Alberni, British Columbia. Carol was the first-born child of the late Robert (Mac) and Gwen McPherson.

Carol is survived and dearly missed by her sister, Dorrie Ferster (Larry), and her brothers, Jaimie McPherson, and Geordie McPherson (Arlene). Her memory also lives on with her nieces and nephews; Karla, Jeb and Tyler Ferster, Chris McPherson, Hayley McPherson- Forster and her cousin Darlene (Don) Haskins and Heather Hardman (Roy Hardman).

She was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Gwen McPherson, her husband, William (Bill) Carmichael, sister-in-law Linda Tompson, and her cousin, Roy Hardman.

Upon graduating from Alberni District Secondary School, she entered the R.N. program at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, B.C. Carol worked as a RN for a brief period in Tofino, B.C. prior to joining CUSO and undertaking an assignment to a hospital in Kerala State, India. It was during this tenure that she formed lifelong friendships with other CUSO volunteers in India. Upon returning to Canada, she worked with the International Development and Research Centre in Ottawa. She then moved to Edmonton to attend the University of Alberta and attained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It was during this time that she met her future husband, William (Bill) Carmichael and they began the annual pilgrimage to the Coal Creek Stump Farm at Fanny Bay, B.C. Initially for a few months at a time, until retirement in 1983, which then provided a permanent home and many years of "projects." Their acreage was a place of many happy memories for her family, her lifelong friends, and her many new community friends. It was in the Fanny Bay community that Carol shared her leadership talents with local groups, provided a ready meal, friendship, and hospitality to many of her lifetime friends and the Fanny Bay community.
Following Bill's death in 2011, she managed independently for several years and then made the decision to move to Sidney. Her friendship circle continued to grow in Sidney. She particularly cherished the time for reading, learning, and volunteering. It was fortunate that the library was only a few blocks away, the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific treasured able volunteers, and that a good day of shopping was an adventure. Her keen eye and love for nature and gardens will be missed.

Carol lived a full and interesting life. She will be dearly missed by all those people that she fostered relationships with and who loved her deeply. Her family is appreciative of the many helping hands and hearts over the past few weeks. We would like to thank Dr. R. Farmer, the Saanich Home Health team, and her dearest Sidney friends for their care during Carol's illness.

There will be a celebration of life for Carol in the early summer. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Carol's memory to the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific or Dying with Dignity Canada would be greatly appreciated.