Edith M. Hamilton

We are saddened to announce the passing of our mom after a brief illness, days after her 98th birthday. Predeceased by her parents Alec & Hilda Swan, husband Bill, brothers Doug, Jack, Garth and Keith Swan. She is survived by us, Ken Hamilton (Joanne), Barb McLeod (Mark) grandchildren Katie (Sheldon), Alexandra and Tom and many dear nieces and nephews.
Our mom was proud of her Saskatchewan roots, her Swan family name and Irish heritage. After high school, she attended Normal school and taught one year in a one-room prairie school. On her first summer break, Mom visited her aunt and her uncle on the North Shore of Vancouver. The war was on and she was hired at Burrard Dry Dock as a key punch operator and never returned to live on the prairies. She met our dad, Bill, a handsome police officer at a New Year's Eve party, they fell for each other and were married in 1951. Our parents raised us in our family home on 57th avenue in Vancouver where they lived until they both retired. Together, they designed and built a home in Nanoose on Vancouver Island and moved there in 1981. There, they hosted countless visitors, card nights, dinners and family gatherings for over two decades. All were welcome but when our mom starting playing "God Save the Queen" on the piano you knew it was time to leave! Our parents enjoyed travel, bowling, watching the Canucks, Blue Jays and curling but they were especially passionate for gardening and fishing. In their motor home the "Fleury" they pulled their boat "Swanee" and travelled the Island in quest of big fish which Mom succeeded landing more often than Dad. After Dad's sudden passing, Mom moved a couple of years later to her condo in Oak Bay and lived independently until her death. She enjoyed bridge and many activities at Monterey Centre, shopping on the Avenue, puzzles and playing cards with her grandchildren. She was a truly remarkable, strong willed woman and will be very missed. We thank the staff at Royal Jubilee Hospital & Drs. DeMott & Rideout. No service or flowers by request.