Geraldine E. "Gem" TEMPLEMAN

March 11, 1932 - December 02, 2025

With sadness, yet filled with gratitude, we say goodbye to our beloved mother, (great)grandmother, and steadfast friend, Geraldine "Gem" Templeman. (Born 1932, Kamloops, BC.) She passed peacefully into the night on December 2, 2025, at the age of 93. Predeceased by her parents, Charles and Elizabeth Monk, her sisters Beatrice and Mary Louise, her husband of 62 years Peter Templeman, her son Michael Templeman, and her best friend of 60 years, Joy Message.
She is survived and remembered by her brother Lyle, children: Mark (Lindy), Rob (Jennifer), Vicki (Mike), Jen (Bryan), Mitsui; her 15 grandchildren: David, Peter (Sarah), Stephen (Vicky), Matthew, Daniel (Nina), Jordan (Ashley), Julia (Bennett), Marcus, Rebecca, Adam, Katie, Sarah, Reid, Austin (Julia), Paige; and her 3 great-grandchildren: Dia, Amelia, and Wyatt.

Gem grew up in the Kerrisdale neighbourhood of Vancouver where she attended Point Gray Middle School, and King Edwards Highschool. She excelled in all sports, but she was especially formidable in field hockey, and badminton, becoming a doubles champion in high school. On snowy Vancouver days, she would take the bus and trolley to North Vancouver, with her ski equipment, hike a trail that is now "The Grouse Grind", to the rope tow and spend the day skiing. At King Edward High School, she completed Grade 13 with her eyes set on nursing school for post-graduation studies. She graduated from the Vancouver General Hospital Nursing program in June 1954.

Gem met her husband Pete when she was in grade 10, and they married in Vancouver in August 1954. Soon after their marriage, the couple moved to Vancouver Island and settled in Cadboro Bay/Ten Mile Point. Gem continued to work part time, after the birth of their son Mike, at a doctor's office. One fateful day, a young mother, new to Victoria, arrived for an appointment at the doctor's office, and the two young mothers realized that they lived on the same street in Cadboro Bay. That was the beginning of Gem and Joy's friendship that would span more than six decades. Gem retired from nursing after the birth of her second child, Mark, but put all her nursing skills to use as their family grew to 5 children.
As Gem and Pete's children became more independent; Gem could indulge more fully in her favourite pastimes: tennis and bridge. She was thrilled when the Oak Bay Tennis bubble was built, as it meant that she could enjoy the sport year-round. Bridge became the cornerstone of Pete and Gem's social life, and they played several times per week. Gem also taught bridge at Goward House in Cadboro Bay.

Gem was a devoted mother and grandmother in all aspects of her children and grandchildren's lives. She was an avid seamstress, knitter, crafter, and gardener.
She loved people as was evident by her choice of career. Whenever Gem and Pete went travelling around the world, she would return home with addresses of newfound friends to add to her mailing list. Her beloved Pete passed in 2017; 2 months shy of their 63rd wedding anniversary.

Gem had an indominable spirit, full of positivity; unflappable and fearless. While on a family vacation, we witnessed her save a Daschund's life, by stitching closed life-threatening attack wounds to give the dog a chance to get to the vet. "These things happen", she would say. She was the epitome of "Keep calm and carry on." In her absence, we will strive to do the same.

Gem's family would like to express heartfelt appreciation to Elderdog Canada, who's dedicated volunteers allowed Gem to keep her dear Buster at her side as long as possible.
A celebration of Gem's life is being held on Friday, January 2nd, 2026, at the clubhouse of Falcon Ridge Estates 901 Kentwood Lane, from 11:00am to 2:00pm.

"I'm so happy to see you! Come in and we'll have coffee." Gem, 1932-2025.