Sylvia Ann "Mimi" Robertson

ROBERTSON, Sylvia "Mimi" Ann
October 12, 1935 - September 8, 2023
We are grieving the passing of Mimi Robertson; mother, auntie, grandmother, and friend to many. She was predeceased by her parents Reginald and Thelma Bavin, and sister Gwendolyn Bavin. Left to mourn are children Sheri Robertson (Rex Johnson), Lynn Roberts (Tim), Jill Robertson (Walt Bishop) and Geoff Robertson; nephews Greg Allin (Becky) and Jamie Allin; her loving grandchildren, great nephews and great-grandsons. Mimi was born in Invermere, BC, with many fond memories of family on the shores of Lake Windermere. After moving to Esquimalt, she attended Lampson Elementary and Esquimalt High Schools. She maintained solid friendships with her loyal high school "gang" all these years and will be missed.

Singing was Mimi's first great talent. Operatically trained, she loved doing musicals in high school and in the community during the early years of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society and the Victoria Operatic Society. She won great acclaim as The Merry Widow and as a singer who could act! We all grew up singing and playing instruments as Mimi and our dad, Alan Robertson, were known for folk-singing in Victoria coffee houses and at Butchart Gardens in summer variety shows. We learned all their songs and Christmas parties were always musical events.

In the 1970s, that wonderful voice of hers led to a career in radio news, working as a reporter at the BC Legislature. Mimi truly loved that job, no matter how many hours camped outside The House or MLAs' offices, waiting for interviews or news to break. She loved that she got to see our beautiful province while on campaign trails with the different political parties, but also that she would be called upon to report on national sports events like the Briar Curling Bonspiel and the Canadian Figure Skating Championships when Victoria hosted. Her reports were heard across Canada and even in the USA (Newsradio) when relevant stories arose.

Mimi gave us so much, encouraging our musical endeavors, sitting in the cold bleachers during our figure skating years and attending gymnastics meets. A talented seamstress, she made many of our clothes and costumes, but also designed and created costumes for theatre productions and skating revues. She was a community activist in her roles with The Status of Women Action Group, Rape Relief and the first women's shelter in Victoria in the 1970s. She was a vocal candidate for Victoria School Board. We were allowed a variety of pets and learned empathy and compassion and Mum had an especially strong bond with her dogs. Many hobbies besides music kept Mimi busy: reading, gardening, needlework, knitting and oil painting before arthritis and COPD slowed her down.

We wish to thank the staff at Victoria General Hospital, particularly 6C North, for their care and compassion for Mimi.

At Mimi's request, there will be no service.