July 24, 2024
Our dear mother, Iola Marguerite Almquist (King), passed away peacefully on July 24, 2024, at the age of 95.
She was born in Saskatchewan and moved to Gibsons, BC, during the great depression. Her early years in Gibsons were spent adventuring through the bush and spending time on the beach with the family dog and her baby brother. As the years went on and she graduated high school, she completed her studies to become a nurse.
While working as a nurse, she met her husband (Roy) on a blind date - 6 months later they married. A marriage that lasted 52 years until his passing.
She was a wonderful mother who was always there when you needed her the most, offering support, wisdom, and love in abundance. A devoted wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and friend, known for her kindness, generosity, and love of gardening and animals - especially stray cats, which she would always end up adopting.
She is survived by her loving sons Paul (Catherine), Keith (Carol-Anne), and Roy (Tina); grandchildren Eric, David, Kerri, Candace (Luis), Sarah (Eric), Mitchel, Cody, and Kristi; great-grandchildren Dhalsie, Blake, Elisa, Skylar, Ashby, Ryder, Arianna, Brooke, Baille and Erica; great-great-grandchildren Lachlan and Kingsley; and her sibling Murray King.
She was preceded in death by her husband Roy and her parents Mitchel and Esther King.
The family would like to thank the Home Care staff whose care and conversations brightened her day and the second-floor nursing staff at the Sechelt Hospital for their compassionate care.
A private family celebration of life will be held in her honour. In lieu of floral tributes, a donation to the Covenant House, Salvation Army on the Coast or BC Cancer Agency in her name would be greatly appreciated.
