Margaret Anna Taylor Selkirk

October 21, 1944 - October 1, 2024

In loving memory ~

Margaret Anna Taylor Selkirk, resident of Courtenay, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2024, at "almost 80". Born in Kilmarnock, Scotland, on October 21, 1944, to her Irish mother and Canadian soldier father, Marg made the journey to Canada with her mother and sister aboard the RMS Mauretania in January 1945. They settled in Port Alberni, BC, where Marg became part of the fifth generation in one of the valley's pioneering families.

As a child, Marg spent many happy hours exploring the woods with her grandfather, who instilled in her a deep love for the island's natural beauty. That connection to the land remained a lifelong passion, shaping much of her life and work. As a mother, Marg shared this love of nature with her daughters. Together, they explored the forests, mountains, and hiking trails of Vancouver Island—experiences that would became etched in Marg's heart. During these years, Marg also began to develop her artistic talents. Her realistic oil paintings captured the wildness of Vancouver Island's towering peaks and ancient forests, drawing admiration for their intricate detail and emotional depth and earning them a place in region galleries.

In 1989, Marg met her husband Frank Lines at an art show. After introducing their cats to each other, the two quickly embarked on a life full of happiness, adventure, and family. The two often ventured into the wilds of the province, seeking the perfect viewpoint or simply enjoying the peace of the wilderness.

When Frank passed away, Marg was left with an overwhelming sense of loss. Yet, even in her grief, she found solace in her art, her family and friends, and in finding the perfect deal at local thrift stores. She faced her pancreatic cancer diagnosis with the same courage, feistiness, and sense of humor that had always defined her. Her final painting, an inspiring depiction of the Golden Hinde—the highest peak on Vancouver Island—symbolized this personal climb, both literal and metaphorical, as she sought to find peace and joy in her final year.

Marg leaves behind a legacy of beauty, strength, and love, along with hundreds of paintings that grace the walls of homes around the world. She will be dearly missed by her daughters Carolyne (Peter), Diane (Evan), and Debra (Doug), as well as her stepdaughters Sherri and Teresa (Don). Her grandchildren Colleen, Heron (Juniper), Jade, Maia, Shaun (Dawn), Cory (Taylor), and Kristy (Riley), along with her ten great-grandchildren, will carry forward her spirit of adventure and creativity. Marg is also survived by her siblings Mary (Frank), John (Vijaya), and Keshava (Daya), as well as many dear relatives, friends, and neighbors, and Cinnamon the cat (who is in the perfect new home).

A celebration of Marg's life will be held at the Fanny Bay Community Hall, 7793 Island Hwy, on December 7, 2024, from 1-3 p.m. Friends and family are invited to share their memories and celebrate Marg's life. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to one of the organizations dedicated to protecting the ecosystems Marg cherished so deeply—such as the BC Parks Foundation, the Ancient Forest Alliance, or the Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Foundation. Her family wishes to thank all the doctors, nurses and staff that Marg interacted with at the Comox Valley Hospital for their compassion and care.