Carol Ragnhild Marie Abbott (née Stene), born in Vancouver on December 31, 1939, to proud Norwegian socialists, passed away on June 2, 2024, after a short battle with glioblastoma.
Together for more than 68 years, Carol and (Robert) Neil met at Gladstone High School in June 1956 and married on October 3, 1958. They had four children but only two grandchildren, much to Mom’s perpetual and mostly silent disappointment (she loved the two we gave her to distraction).
Known for her sometimes raucous and often deadpan sense of humour, Mom left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. She maintained close, lifelong friendships, was an advocate for human rights and women’s safety, and believed fervently in the power of love and resilience of the human spirit.
A lover of art and adventure, Mom enrolled in classes at Emily Carr after retiring and undertook some epic hikes, including the Camino de Santiago and Ben Nevis. Always eager to have the last laugh, she asked that her ashes be scattered at the Manzanita Bluffs just north of Powell River, a challenging hike in the place she agreed to live for two years and stayed for 35.
Mom leaves behind a legacy of courage and resilience, as well as a gaping void in the lives of those who loved her. May her memory and spirit continue to inspire all those she loved.
Rest in power and peace, Mom. We will always love you. Robert (Anntonette), Keith (Dianne), Janice (Shayne), Paul (Christina), Caithlin (Stephen), Jake (Maddy) and, of course, Dad.
