Lesley Karen Gibson

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Lesley Karen Gibson (née Woodrow) passed away peacefully on January 23, 2026, in Vancouver, BC, at the age of 70. She was born on July 7, 1955, in Kenora, ON, to Clarence and Edith Woodrow (née Howard).

A Life of Quiet Strength and Love:

Lesley’s life was defined by perseverance, quiet strength, and an extraordinary capacity for love.

She experienced profound loss at a young age, including the death of her mother when Lesley was just a teenager, and later the loss of her infant daughter, Candace Love. These experiences shaped her deeply, instilling in her both resilience and an abiding compassion for others. From an early age, she stepped into caregiving roles, helping to lovingly raise her younger sister Joyce, and carrying that sense of responsibility and devotion throughout her life.

A Devoted Mother:

Lesley dedicated herself wholeheartedly to her daughter, Kristen Hope, whom she welcomed with overwhelming joy in 1979.

Their bond was deep and enduring, marked by unwavering support, trust, and closeness. Kristen knew every single day that she was cherished.

Lesley supported Kristen in all of her pursuits, including her marriage to Raymond and their life overseas, which eventually brought Kristen and her family to the United States. Though time and geography often separated them, Lesley remained a constant, loving presence, always encouraging and always proud.

Career and Professional Life:

Lesley built a successful career in banking through determination, intelligence, and hard work.

She began her career at Canada Trust as a teller and advanced into internal audit. She later continued her work in the financial sector at Island Savings Credit Union. Her career provided stability, opportunity, and independence, and reflected her strong sense of responsibility and quiet competence.

The Joy of Being "Nanna":

If it seemed possible to love even more, Lesley did so as a grandmother.

Her role as “Nanna” to Jacob and Katelyn was the greatest joy and proudest role of her life. She spent extraordinary amounts of time with them, including several months each year with their family while they lived overseas in Tunisia, Belgium, and Poland, sharing nearly every Christmas together.

Birthdays and Christmas—especially December, with Kristen, Jacob, and Katelyn all celebrating—were her most beloved holidays.

Jacob and Katelyn also spent summers in 2018 and 2019 on their own with Nanna in Vancouver, creating memories filled with pool visits, aquarium trips, library outings, A&W treats, walks along the seawall, dim sum lunches, art projects, and endless laughter.

At the end of every call, Nanna and her “grands” shared a special ritual: “I love you too, boo boo bee doo,” followed by a choreographed kiss blown through the camera or phone. A small tradition that perfectly captured the tenderness and uniqueness of their bond.

The Things She Loved:

Lesley had a dry sense of humour and a gentle wit. She loved British comedies and introduced Kristen early on to Fawlty Towers and Monty Python, along with a shared fondness for horror movies.

She adored animals and shared her life with several beloved pets over the years, and had been hoping one day to welcome another.

Family, Near and Far:

Family was the greatest blessing of Lesley’s life.

She shared a deep, sibling-like closeness with her cousins and treasured those relationships throughout her life. She also held a uniquely loving, mother-daughter–like bond with her nieces, Joyce’s daughters, whom she cared for deeply and loved as her own.

Lesley felt connected not only to her immediate family, but also to extended relatives across generations and continents, even those who she had never met.

A Love of History and Roots:

Lesley spent countless hours researching family history and ancestry, carefully piecing together stories and connections, and generously sharing her discoveries with others.

One of her long-held dreams was to visit England—not only to meet relatives she had uncovered through this work, but also to walk the places connected to her family’s past.

Home on the West Coast:

Born and raised in Kenora, Lesley later lived in Winnipeg before moving to Vancouver in 1989 for a career opportunity, a move that she embraced wholeheartedly and never regretted.

She loved the West Coast’s forests, mountains, and ocean breezes. After several years on Vancouver Island in Chemainus, she returned to Vancouver, where she spent the remainder of her life in the False Creek, Olympic Village area.

Faith, Love, and Hope:

Lesley held a deep, personal faith and a quiet spirituality.

While she cherished this life and the family she loved so fiercely, she also carried a strong belief that one day she would be reunited with her mother, Edith, and her daughter, Candace.

Her daughter and granddaughter carry on her faith in their names: Kristen Hope and Katelyn Love.

Remembering Lesley:

Lesley is survived by her daughter Kristen Hope; son-in-law Raymond; grandchildren Jacob and Katelyn Love; siblings Jim and Joyce; and extended family and friends near and far.

She was predeceased by her parents Clarence and Edith, her sister Carol, her daughter Candace Love, and her former husband Gary.

Services:

Lesley will be privately laid to rest alongside her daughter Candace in Winnipeg, MB. A celebration of life for family and close friends will be held in Kenora, ON, in the summer of 2026. Details will be shared at a later date.

In lieu of flowers:

Donations can be made to the The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.

Forever Remembered:

In closing, Lesley’s family remembers her with the words she loved most, from Love You Forever by Robert Munsch:

I love you forever,
I like you for always,
As long as I’m living
My baby you’ll be.


Her love endures, forever.