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It is with deep sorrow I announce the sudden passing of my stepmom Charlotte Gail Pfister on November 22, 2018, loved and long time Quadra Island resident. On July 23, 1951 Charlotte Gail Coombs was born in San Jose, California, raised in Santa Clara County.

She was predeceased by her parents Frank Del Coombs and Barbara Violet (Roller) Coombs. She is survived by her younger sister Karen Coombs of California, her stepsons Jason and Roland (Yvonne) Pfister, grandchildren Tyrone, Jasiah, Tamara, and Jesse, and her beloved sheltie dog Cassidy.

In 1974 and barely 23 years old Charlotte convinced my dad Bruce Pfister to move my brother Jason and I with her from Louisiana northwest to British Columbia, I came to realize as a young man we could not thank her enough.

In the mid 1970's she lived a pioneer style life on Read Island taking care of her boys and honing her incredible green thumb and making friendships that lasted over 4 decades. She spent some time back in the states, but eventually settled on Quadra Island BC in 1984.

Charlotte made special bonds with great people in this beautiful community. She first worked a few years at Quadra's Heriot Bay Store, Heriot Bay Inn, and a bit as a deck hand/cook. Then Charlotte went on for many years working out in logging camps as a cook and first aid attendant. Her father Del Coombs, a fireman Captain and Battalion Chief of 40 years in Santa Clara County CA, greatly influenced her interest in her First Aid career.

A fateful return flight home from camp to Campbell River on Sept 27, 1995 ended in a tragic crash and sadly took the lives of 8 of her crew, including the pilot, but 2 miraculously survived; Charlotte and her young co-worker Lenny Brown, who became an invaluable friend to her.

Charlotte enjoyed her time creating stunning stained glass, spoiling many of us cooking her incredible feasts and baked treats, nurturing and caring for her beautiful parklike home with skill and passion, teaching herself latest computer technology, helping friends in need, loving her family and closest friends (near and far), and adoring her dog companions Cassidy, (Sasha and Laddie both deceased).

Charlotte genuinely was a positive vibrant influence on the world around her with strength and courage, despite devastatingly intense physical and emotional hardships she endured for 23 years since the accident. Charlotte and my wife Yvonne shared becoming Canadian Citizens back in 2002, a special honour I know Charlotte felt fiercely proud of.

She was much loved and will be missed but remembered fondly.

Details will be announced of our plan for her celebration taking place at the Royal Canadian Legion on Quadra Island late April 2019.



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