Carol Ann 'Nee Belliveau' Bainbridge

Carol Ann Bainbridge (nee Belliveau) 1954-2015 It is with profound sadness that we say goodbye to our beautiful Carol. Born in Calgary, AB, she transitioned at the age of 60 in Victoria, BC. Survived by her daughters Catie and Jacquie, sister Colleen (Geoff), brother Harvey (Marion), niece Lindsey (Boone), nephew Sean (Bonnie), grandniece Laney, grandnephew Landen, and numerous extended family members and dear friends. Predeceased by her father Alfred, mother Ann, and the father of her children Thom. Although we all have dreams, Carol realized hers. She loved to travel, her explorations included Hong-Kong, Europe, Hawaii, Britain, and many destinations in Canada and the US. She attended the University of Calgary and taught for the Calgary Separate School Board. Carol embarked on a teacher exchange in Australia for one year that enabled friends and family, including her mother, to enjoy the country as well. Her passion in life, however, was her role as a mother. Her biggest priority was the safety and well-being of her two girls. She was a caring mother whose wisdom and compassion allowed her to establish a space for her children to grow. Carol's life was instructive in many ways, and helped give her daughters the ultimate gift: autonomy. Not the kind of autonomy that means you must be alone, but the kind of self-love that is so rare to come by. This is the kind of self-love that is established through years of unconditional love and support, the kind that Carol spent her life relishing her daughters in. She was an adventurous, strong-willed, and independent woman who maintained her unique sense of humour even in the most difficult of times. Ultimately, Carol was a powerful and joyful person. Hers is a musical name, fitting for a woman whose life was as the noun is defined, "a song of mirth and joy." On the borderline between memory and reality, Carol will live on in our hearts and minds, defying all notions of death's finality and permanence. She left an indelible mark on this world, both on her own, and through her two girls. Her strength, wisdom, and felicity will be remembered and carried in our hearts forever. Thank you to the compassionate and gentle staff and volunteers at Victoria Hospice who helped make Carol's transition a graceful experience for her friends and family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Victoria Hospice Society.

Celebration of Life