Pamela Sadler

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Pamela, surrounded by loving family, on the evening of June 30th. Predeceased by her eldest son Tom, she will be sorely missed by what she called her true legacy: children Fayanne-Stephanie (Chris), Jennifer (Tim), Julie, John (ex-Alison), Glenn (Bibine), April (Conor); grandchildren Jonah, Luke, Dallas, Braden, Belinda, Eli, Carly, Clayton, Nicole, Fraser, Brody, Samson, Georgia, Erica, Rachel, Jessica, Jade and step-grandson Colton; great-grandchildren Cyrus, Justice, Declann, Isabella and Ela. Also mourned by her nephew John Courtis and family in Australia. Born in Newcastle, England and raised in Liverpool, Pamela was a proud member of the Women's Royal Navy after WW2 when she met and married submariner Thomas Grant Scarfe. Their family quickly grew with Tom, Fayanne and Jennifer arriving by the age of 23, Julie and John followed a few years later. Left as a single mother she built a warm, comfortable home in Bridgemary, Hampshire where she met and married Alan McLean a Canadian submariner. Glenn's arrival made six. Immigrating to Canada in 1965, the family travelled from Trenton ON to Victoria in a Bedford Dormobile. This began an adventure of discovery of this vast country, instilling in all a love of the outdoors. Settling in Victoria the family had one more addition, April. Passionate at cryptic crossword puzzles and a stickler for good grammar, she would never hesitate to correct you if you said something the wrong way. Pamela's command of the English language was legendary and she shared this passion with her family through word games and puzzles. She was rightly proud of her Pitkin shorthand skills and lightning fast typing speed that helped secure Pamela a position with the BC Government where she loved working as an executive secretary in Finance. She enjoyed spending time with her family during many festive occasions such as: summer events around the Inner Harbour; family camp outs; birthday and anniversary parties; strolls through Beacon Hill Park; pub days at the Beagle on rainy afternoons; and, more recently, trips to the cabin on Lake Cowichan. Due to occasional bouts of bad luck, Pamela was affectionately known as Ziggy. Suffering from severe arthritis since her late 20s she never let it reduce her passion and enjoyment for life. Family time being paramount to her, she slept in tents and roughed it at family camp outs well into her 70s, even after knee and hip replacements. This zest for life taught us that attitude is everything. Pamela was a devoted mother and matriarch to her family, admired by her friends for her courageous attitude, tenacity, kindness and sage advice. We will miss you Mum very, very much but be assured your crazy sense of humour and spirited love of life will proudly live on in every one of us. Rest easy and be out of pain. We love You Mum. A celebration of life will be held on July 12th, 3:00 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria BC. A reception will follow in the New Jerusalem Room. In lieu of flowers, donations in Pamela's name may be offered to Victoria Hospice Society.