November 22, 1950 - April 19, 2024
In Loving Memory ~
On Friday evening as the sun shone through the hospital windows, the world lost an extremely kind and supportive soul. Our sweet Terry suffered so much pain over the last few months but still managed a spectacular final week of her life and left us so peacefully.
Terry seemed mildly perturbed when she realized that she would not be able to participate fully if we arranged a funeral. In lieu of a formal service including life history and eulogy, we agreed that a living service and enhanced obituary would be more appropriate.
Terry was born in Dawson Creek BC, the ninth of ten children. She quickly became a true farm girl. The Lindstrom family moved to Vancouver Island in 1965. She graduated high school in Courtenay and worked as an operator for BC Tel and also on BC Ferries.
Terry married Cy in 1975 in Jamaica and they had three children. Terry spent a lot of time with the bookkeeping duties for C. Cottingham Construction. Any spare time was devoted to helping her children and grandchildren and encompassed everything they ever involved themselves in.
From school projects to sports to Halloween costumes, she was always ready. She set the bar as high it could go when it comes to being a super fan / cheerleader / hockey mom and gramma.
When Terry took on a hobby, she put all of her heart into it. This included walking, sewing, and acrylic pour painting. The hobby that turned into a business was Upcycled Creations silverware jewellery. Terry absolutely adored the store owners in Comox who would sell her pieces. She put a lot of work into her whale tail necklaces and as a result they were a fan favourite.
Terry was hooked on perusing thrift shops as well as reading obituaries. We are confident she will be satisfied with this one if she's looking down now. When not comes to her "thrifting" prowess, often times if you even made passing mention of something you might like, it was likely Terry would find it and deliver it within a week. The many thrift store employees who knew her on a first name basis will be sad (for more than one reason) now that she has left us.
Terry really loved family reunions. Also, despite her fear of water and wind and waves, she enjoyed many hours of boating with Cy, her family and friends. Terry also enjoyed playing cards with friends. She had a knack of making absurd yet winning hands. Terry loved music and enjoyed concerts with family. Gordon Lightfoot was a special favourite of hers.
Terry wasn't aware of how many people she touched with her unwavering support. As a result she was not really sure how many people would make the effort to see her in the hospital. Even in end-of-life situations, it's common that a patient will only have occasional visitors over a given week. This was not the case for our Terry. She had over 100 visits in three days followed by 111 people in attendance for her living service on the main floor of the hospital.
The letters that Terry's children wrote to her before she passed helped portray the special person she was:
Dear Mom. You are far and beyond the best and most supportive mom anyone could have ever asked for. I thought it would be many years from now that I would be writing (typing) this letter but here we are in the health hell scape of 2024. I feel so grateful that we have had such a great close relationship for 47 years. You were always there the thousands of times I needed you and I will remember that forever. I hope you know how much you mean to me. I love you. Love Mike.
Mom. As you are well aware by now, I've never been that great at communicating my deep feelings and thoughts (Danika is nodding her head right now), but I have many. I need you to know that I never once took your unconditional love for granted, did I express that to you properly?? Probably not....but I know, that you know, that my LOVE for YOU, is eternal. I grew up in the 90's, so it's fitting that I don't say ever Good-bye, But rather, I'll see you later. I never have been great at saying goodbye...or letting things go, the same applies now. You will always be with me, no matter what. I have said to many of your visitors, thank you for coming, but what I am most thankful for is to be to be able to call you my Mom. Love Goob.
My dear mom, also known affectionately as my Drok. This is a letter I wish I never had to write, and yet I am glad I have the opportunity because you deserve to hear what an amazing mother you have been to me and my brothers. You are such a special person who lights up the lives of everyone you know. It has been a pleasure to witness your farewell party, to hear the stories and read the comments, to see the smiles and tears that all come from how much everyone loves you. I know we will meet again my Drok, and I can't wait. Love Muffin.
Terry was predeceased by her parents Elwood and Kitty Lindstrom as well as brother Chester and sister Valerie Cairns.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years Cy and children; Michael (Judi), Darren (Danika), Marianne (Lee) and six grandchildren. She also is survived by siblings Frank, Rick, Ron, Elinor, Karen, Rhonda, and Marty.
In lieu of flowers, please purchase an item from your favourite thrift store and give it to a friend or relative. Tell them when you saw it, you knew it would be just perfect for them.
Below is Terry's final Facebook post:
THE LAST GOODBYE
I have exciting sad news. My fulfilling journey on this earth with all you wonderful people is scheduled to come to an end on April 19th. Like most people, I like to do things MY way, so it feels like a blessing to be able to decide how and when I will complete this fabulous life, I was able to create over 73.5 years. My dying days were all I could have asked for.
I have so many things to be grateful for. No words were left unsaid between our immediate family of five. I was able to have a great visit with my siblings and so many other friends and relatives. My 101-year-old mother-in-law even found a way to my bedside! I don't think the third floor of the hospital could have possibly been prepared for the show that "my people" managed to put on over the past few days.
And despite the hundreds of disruptions we caused them, the nursing staff responded to every request efficiently and professionally. Especially you Maggie and you too Maria. Pain management is so important when you get stuck with rapidly spreading stage 4 cancer and a perforated bowel. Yuck.
But back to the love, thank you all so much for your uplifting and entertaining comments here on Facebook. I am so happy that people were able to enjoy and benefit from the support I tried to provide over the years. Building people up with positive support just might have been my favorite thing to do, well other than thrift shopping ;) I feel I should bid you farewell now.
You know what they say "Don't be sad it's over, be glad it happened" or something like that. When your time comes, I wish for each of you to also experience the joy of going out on a high note, surrounded by cherished loved ones.
Message from Cy: One of the last morning chats I told my wife the quote that Wayne Gretzky had said. "If you think you're irreplaceable in life, put your finger into a cup of water and pull it out. And if there's still a hole there, you are irreplaceable". In my life Terry has left a hole in the water and it will remain until the end of time. Rest in peace Honey.
At times of heartache, I would like to send a shout out for the amazing support we have received from neighbors, family friends, doctors, nurses, and hospital staff.
Arrangements entrusted to Piercy's ~ Mt Washington Funeral Home.
There will be no formal service at Terry's request.
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