Trina Kim Polard

Trina Kim Polard, aged 50, passed away in her sleep on March 28th, 2024, next to her loyal dachshund, Steve, after bravely battling mental health struggles and alcohol addiction. Trina never stopped fighting to be healthy - even in her last moments. Addiction is a terrible disease, but it does not define the people it affects. Her family and friends will remember Trina for the person she truly was. Trina has been described by many as someone who always “loved with her whole heart”. This sentiment could not be more true - she had an overwhelming abundance of kindness and love for those around her and showed a special compassion towards anyone who was struggling in life. This motivated her to go back to school in her 40s, where she successfully obtained a diploma in Mental Health and Addictions from Camosun Collage. Guided by her newfound knowledge, personal experiences, and her loving heart, she devoted herself to helping others who were struggling through her work at Cedars Recovery Centre. Trina was a very generous person, not only was this evident in her career choice, but also in the way she treated her friends, family and even strangers. She loved to surprise others with gifts and could always be counted on to bring an abundance of food and treats to family gatherings. Her nieces and nephews even jokingly referred to her as “Auntie Treat”! Above all, Trina had a fun, youthful spirit. She laughed easily, encouraged others to live spontaneously (I know dozens of us can attest to this based on the many trips we’ve all taken to Mexico with her - Trina could be very convincing!) and always lived her life with a “go big or go home” mentality. Trina drew people in with her bubbly personality, her quick wit, and her insistence on making life as fun as possible. Trina will also be remembered for her style – she had the perfect outfit for every occasion and loved to shop with her daughter (not many mothers and daughters are lucky enough to share a favorite clothing store!). Trina also took pride in her surroundings, and although she was never much of a gardener, she had a special adoration for hanging baskets of flowers. It was easy to pick out her house while driving down her street in the springtime… her small front yard was an explosion of colour, always overflowing with multicoloured baskets of peonies and other flowers hanging from the deck and railings – just another example of her “go big or go home” mentality. Trina leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and a life marked by unwavering courage and compassion. She is survived by her two children, Emma and Benjamin Polard, whom she regarded as her greatest accomplishments in life. She is also survived by her mother Linda Rice, her grandmother Ethel Rice, her stepsister Vanessa Polard, and her many aunts, uncles, and cousins, who adored her greatly. Trina's presence will be deeply missed, but her love and legacy will endure in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Victoria Women in Need ( https://www.womeninneed.ca/ ) in Trina’s memory. A celebration of Trina’s life will take place on July 21st at Falcon Lake, Manitoba, a place that is filled with decades of happy memories and was very close to her heart.