March 1, 1934 - January 6, 2022
In loving memory ~
The world has lost one of its shining lights. It is with great sadness that we announce Glenda Marie Pimlott (nee Gibson) peacefully passed away January 6, 2022. Beloved wife, mother, great grandmother, sister, and friend to so many. She is survived by her younger brother Jim Gibson and predeceased by sister Esther Herrling. She leaves behind the love of her life, Ray Pimlott, with whom she shared 68 years of marriage.
Born March 1, 1934 in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, mom was the oldest daughter to Albert and Margaret Gibson. She spent most of her life in Sooke, BC. That's where she met dad, raised her five girls, and was known and loved by the rest of the community.
She stayed home and raised us girls: Kathie (Alden), Karen (Jim), Deanna (Bill), Christina (Steven deceased), and Linda (John). It was a very loving, active household. She always encouraged us to bring our friends home, and we did. The kitchen was the heart of the home on West Coast road. It had a 'nook' which became the place for us all to hang out. But it also became the place where she would listen to everyone's troubles - whether they were ours, our friends', or her friends'- providing an understanding ear and her best counsel. She was Mother Worth to everyone who knew her. Truly unconditional love is rare, but everyone found it in her.
She was known for her big family dinners and having everyone for the holidays. It was a big job but no one did it better than her. She relished it, and passed the importance of family onto all of us.
Mom was also an important part of the community. Dad was a fireman and eventually fire Chief, which meant we had a "fire phone" in our hallway. Mom manned that phone and was instrumental in organizing critical fire calls and ambulance calls to get the responders where they were needed. Dad always said the women did not get enough recognition back then for the ways in which they supported essential services, and that it was especially difficult in a time before cellphones.
She was also blessed to be a grandma to 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
She adored being a grandmother and her grandchildren adored her. She always said, "If I can't remember them, I'm ready to go home," but she remembered right to the end.
Mom was very active in her church and tried to be an example of her faith. She always had a big smile and a warm hug for everyone, and gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. She instilled in us to "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
The last four months of her life were spent at Chemainus Health Centre. The staff there provided wonderful care to mom and support to dad. Seeing the two of them together, they told us they were touched to have witnessed the sweetest love story imaginable. We want to thank them for their care of mom, and their compassion and support for our dad and us girls.
Mom will be remembered for her beautiful legacy of love, kindness and hospitality. She used to love the song, "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine," and would sing it with her grandchildren. She was a shining light in this world and her light will remain in the hearts of all who knew her.
The family will hold a celebration of life at a later date.