Gertrude PACIFIC

July 21, 1942 - January 19, 2023

(nee: Alice Gertrude Trudie Humber) Gertrude led many lives, reinventing herself a number of times. Common to all of them were boundless energy, discipline, and endless creativity. After taking the art world by storm she shifted to social activism, then to environmental protection followed finally by singing and dancing.
Born and raised in Victoria, she ventured south to the University of Washington for a BA and MFA in art. She then joined the vibrant Skagit Valley arts community in La Conner, Washington while commuting to her job as Curator of Design at UW's Burke Museum. Her first show of paintings at Seattle's Foster White Gallery, titled "Interstate 5", was a huge success. Practically the whole show of 6' x 6' paintings were bought by the Washington State Dept. of Highways. This was the beginning of a highly successful and much publicized 12 year career. She also had a retrospective exhibit of her work at the Victoria Art Gallery in 1977.
1992 marked a return to Canada where Sechelt, BC, became home for the remainder of her life. She immediately began a successful campaign to save a nearby 55 acre old growth forest from being clearcut. This was the first of many environmental efforts including the protection of an additional 120 acres as well as the water rights of an important salmon spawning creek.
She was an avid dancer (tap especially) as well as a member of 3 choirs. After a 9 year struggle with Alzheimer's she finally found peace on January 19th, 2023.
She is survived by Victoria cousins Maureen Hibberson and Rick Humber (Diane) and her husband of 38 years, Michael Davidson.
In lieu of a service please consider a visit to her well-illustrated memorial site.
https://www.tinyurl.com/GertrudePacific