Lois Coreen Kelly

With love, gratitude, and deep appreciation for a life well lived, the family of Lois Coreen Kelly announces her peaceful passing in Victoria, British Columbia, on March 6, 2026, at the age of 86. Surrounded by family throughout the week and embraced in loving arms at the end, Lois lived a life defined by friendship, generosity, curiosity, and a deep love of family.

Lois grew up in Boston Bar and Jasper with her parents, John and Doris Truman, and her brother Jerry. She came from a large family of Ukrainian immigrants and remained proud of her heritage throughout her life. Family traditions were important to her, and she was especially known for her baked beans, perogies, and carrot cake , which she loved sharing with family and friends. And we remember fondly that nobody got to eat till we all held hands and heard the silence.

Lois spent her early 20s in Vancouver where she met her husband, Dale. They later moved to Campbell River to raise their daughters, Jo-Ann and Serena. During those early years she met two dear friends, Riki and Kathryn, with whom she formed a close and enduring bond. Over the years they remained close, sharing travel adventures, laughter, and a friendship that remained deeply important to her throughout her life.

After separating from her husband, Lois moved to Victoria to pursue her degree in Social Work at the University of Victoria, where she formed friendships that would last a lifetime. Don, Mary, Larry, Paul, Jill, Linda and Sharon, along with their families, became much more than friends — they became her extended family. Over the decades they shared countless Saturday morning breakfasts, celebrations, dinner parties, laughter and travel adventures together, creating memories and stories that lasted a lifetime.

After graduating with her degree in Social Work, Lois worked until her retirement for the BC government Ministry of Children and Families, where she dedicated much of her career to child protection and adoption services. She was well respected in her work and formed many lasting friendships with colleagues along the way.

Lois was an organizer by nature and loved her homes. She took great pride in creating warm and welcoming spaces where family and friends could gather, and she forged close friendships with many of her neighbours. There was always a pair of hand knit slippers waiting for you at the door . She will be fondly remembered for her lively dinner parties, evenings shared over a glass of wine, the magic she brought to Christmas Eve gatherings, her commitment to personal growth, her enjoyment of televised sports, her knitting and her love of travel and adventure. She had a gift for bringing people together and making everyone feel welcome.

Struck by MS later in life, Lois rose to the challenge with determination. She made her health a priority and, even when confined to a wheelchair, lived independently well into her 80s with resilience and grace.

Lois leaves behind her loving daughters Jo-Ann (Rob), Serena (Jordan), and birth daughter Debrah (Leo). She was a loving and devoted grandmother to Matthew, Jeffrey, Sam, Addison, Elsie, Matthew, Andy, Phillip and Victoria, and a proud great-grandmother to Isla, Jack and Anastasia. Her family was the center of her life, and she took enormous joy in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at The Heights at Mount View, which was Lois’s home for the past six years, for their compassionate care and kindness.

Lois will be remembered for her warmth, her humour, her strength, and her remarkable ability to expand her family wherever she went. She leaves behind a legacy of friendship, love, and countless shared memories that will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew her and will hold a special place in our lives. In lieu of flowers or memorial donations please tell the people you care about that you love them and leave nothing left unsaid.

A celebration of Lois’s life will be held on her birthday, September 20, from 1–4 p.m. at Hidden Pond in Metchosin. Family and friends are welcome. Please RSVP to jkevala@gmail.com.