June 29, 1944- August 28, 2024
With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Sara Ann Gerring after a brief battle with cancer. She passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family.
Sara Ann was born on June 29, 1944 in Twickenham, London. She was the eldest of five children and was predeceased by her parents Joan and Martin Aitken, and her brother Niall. She is survived by her loving partner of 42 years, Michael Norton, son Hugh (Miriam), daughter Melissa (Daniel), grandchildren Isabella, Joshua, and Marçal, her sisters Jennifer, Hannah and Jessica, many nieces and nephews, and numerous friends.
Sara was raised in a 400-year-old cottage in Islip, Oxfordshire. After taking her sister to the hospital with a broken arm at age 15, Sara decided she wanted to work in health care. She trained first as an orthopedic nurse, and later graduated from Bristol University as a physiotherapist in 1967. She had great fun and adventures taking a gap year as an au pair in France. Her first job was at Bristol Children’s Hospital. Sara embarked on a journey to High Prairie, Alberta in 1969 with her first husband, Dr. David Gerring. In 1970, they moved to Sechelt, where Sara lived ever since, with sabbaticals in Montreal and England in the mid-1970s. They had two children; Hugh was born in 1972 and Melissa in 1975.
Sara worked as a physiotherapist at the hospital in Sechelt for 20 years and was the department head there for another ten. In 2000, she started her own private practice. Arbutus Physiotherapy began on Cowrie Street and later moved into her home. A passionate lifelong learner, Sara attended 70+ courses and became a specialist in Myofascial Release. She was a gifted healer who helped rehabilitate many. She retired from physiotherapy at the age of 69 in 2013.
In addition to her physio work, Sara was extremely dedicated to her yoga practice. She maintained a 1-2 hour daily practice until the last weeks of her life. She taught 2-3 yoga classes a week for decades and inspired so many people to take up the practice. Her calm and soothing voice will be remembered by many, reminding us that “we do this, so we can still put on our socks when we’re 80!”
Sara lived an active and adventurous life. As a teen, she was a star netball player and a Queen’s Guide. As an adult, she and Michael loved to camp, windsurf, and later, ballroom dance. More recently, she enjoyed line dancing. She was an avid hiker, and loved exploring many amazing trails with her hiking group and her family. She loved to read, garden, travel, and attend live theatre and music. Sara also loved the ocean and enjoyed kayaking. She always demonstrated a deep respect for nature.
Above all, she was a loving, kind, calm, hardworking, generous Mum, Granny and partner. We miss her deeply and she will forever be in our hearts.
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the medical team and palliative homecare nursing team.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Wilderness Committee. https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/support-us
Please join us in celebrating Sara’s life on Sunday, September 15 at 2 pm at the Seaside Centre in Sechelt. Messages and condolences can be shared at [email protected]
