Elaine Sunderland

Elaine Clarkson Sunderland, née Laing
August 6, 1942 -October 22, 2024

Elaine passed away peacefully at Saanich Peninsula Hospital Extended Care Unit on October 22, 2024.
She was predeceased by her sister, Carolyn in 2019 and is survived by husband Ian, daughters Kristen and Andrea (Daryl) and grand-children Kaylyn, Kiera and Oliver and brother Cameron.
Elaine was born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta and went to university in Calgary. She worked as a teacher in Calgary high schools, where she taught Home Economics. As part of the curriculum, she also taught commercial cooking, and at one school taught a class of all boys (although the class was called “Bachelor Living” rather than “Home Economics”).
It was in Calgary that she met Ian and, after getting married, they moved to Victoria, B.C., where their daughters were born, and, eventually, their grand-children.
She loved children and was delighted when she became pregnant with Andrea, and then Kristen. She also loved providing day-care to her grand-children and being able to spend time with them. (Some days, she also loved being able to give them back to their parents.)
Elaine also loved travelling, and went to Europe and Fiji, among other places, before getting married. Once married, they also vacationed in Hawaii and California (Disneyland) and particularly enjoyed cruising (Alaska, Mexico, Panama Canal, Danube).
Closer to home, she liked gardening and also camping, in tents (not so much), tent trailers (getting there) and regular trailers, of gradually increasing sizes (much better.)
After suffering a major stroke in December, 2023, her activities were severely restricted. The family would like to thank the staff at Victoria General Hospital, Gorge Road Hospital (Bridgeview Unit) and Saanich Peninsula Hospital (Extended Care Unit) for their unceasing efforts to care for her and keep her comfortable and engaged.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.island.affordablecremationandburial.ca. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada would be appreciated.