Jennifer Ann Williams

It is with aching hearts that we share news of the passing of Jennifer Ann Williams.

Jennifer grew up in Calgary in the Varsity Village area and graduated from Sir Winston Churchill High School in 1983. She loved being active, and was happiest when playing sports, skiing, hiking and enjoying nature in the Bow River Valley behind her family home. She was a camp counsellor for Camp Chief Hector for several years as a young woman.

Upon graduation she moved to Victoria, attending the University of Victoria. She relocated to Prince George for several years, eventually returning to Vancouver Island and completing her degree at Camosun College, focusing on French Language Studies. She resided in Esquimalt, BC for the past 15 years and had a rewarding career with Security Services for the Government of BC.

Jennifer is deeply missed by her mother, Daisy Williams, sister Sue Williams Brawn, nephews Sam and Derrien Brawn, brother John Williams and his children, Nicolas, Kendra and Alyssa. She was predeceased by her beloved father, Mike, in 2019, who no doubt greeted her with loving arms when she passed from this life, with a few family dogs in tow, including Hudson and Bergman.

Jennifer was a traveller and explored Europe as a younger woman.  She discovered Canadian history on trips with friend Vince. She sailed to Greek Islands with friend Timothy.  She joined Sue, Sam and Derrien on many family travels in Canada, the US,  Mexico and beyond, including  one infamous trip to the island of Erromango, Vanuatu in 2009 to honor her ancestor Missionary John Williams. She demonstrated her tenacity when she severely broke and dislocated her ankle but stayed in the village overnight for the ceremony without medical assistance, electricity or running water.  Jennifer returned to Erromango in 2014 for a longer stay, much to the delight of locals she’d met on her first trip.

Jennifer was an active member of the Victoria area community. She had a passion for the ocean and everything living in it, and for the past 11 years she was a volunteer “Oceaneer”  for the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea.  She joined the running group, the Victoria Hash House Harriers, enjoying both athletic and social pursuits and was proud of completing the Times Colonist 10k run.  She was a keen walker and hiker, and often could be found checking out the waters off the breakwater. She loved to swim and was known for swimming across the local lakes as soon as weather permitted, and was a veteran of innumerable Polar Bear dips. She sang with The Pandora Chorus choir.  Family, friends and co-workers also remember Jennifer sharing her love of baking and her delightful cookies.

Her family and friends extend deep appreciation to the wonderful aides, nurses and doctors of Victoria Hospice who unfailingly gave Jennifer wonderful care and space to make her own choices in the last two months of her life.

Jennifer will be remembered at a memorial service in Calgary at St. Peter’s Anglican Church at 1 pm on Saturday November 27, and at a gathering at the Shaw Centre in Sidney at 6 pm on November 29.   Due to Covid restrictions, attendance at the Shaw Centre is limited, so we ask that if you wish to attend you email: rememberingjennifer65@gmail.com

In lieu of flowers, we know Jennifer will smile down on you if donate in her memory  to the Shaw Centre for Salish Sea, or any organisation of your choosing that protects wild places and creatures.