CAMERON, Vera
On the cold and cloudy morning of December 12, 2020, at 10:38 a.m., while in the arms of her husband Gordon, and children Dawn and Kerry, who had moved in to help care for their mom and dad during her last 30 days, Vera passed away. On ascending to the Lord in Heaven to be greeted by her loved ones gone before her, the warming sun broke through the dark, brooding clouds, giving solace to those she left behind.
Vera was born in Claresholm in 1935, living on a farm until her family moved to Edmonton when she was very young. She received her BED and BSC Home Ec at the U of A, and taught in Edmonton schools for the following 33 years. Her last 22 years of teaching, 1966 to 1988, she was teaching Home Economics at Hardisty Junior High School in Capilano. Vera was widely appreciated and loved by her students.
Vera’s summer respite from teaching was Pine’n Fir Spruce, her family’s summer cottage at Seba Beach, which had been moved up from the beach in 1948 to her parents’ tree-filled lot on 7 Street S. For over 70 years the cottage was a beehive of summer activities, a training base for children’s water sports, sandcastle building, and pancake making during the school holidays, and a popular and much-appreciated gathering place for families, friends, and teacher parties.
On Vera’s last day of teaching, the residents along the two block path Vera walked to and from her classroom for 22 years, recognized her service by decorating their yards. It was a truly memorable display of appreciation and affection for a well-loved teacher. Flamingos, toilet paper, balloons, good wishes signs, student-made garments hanging from clotheslines, and a sewing machine adorned the yards. Neighbors came out to cheer for and greet Vera and the teachers accompanying her on her last journey home, and into retirement.
Retirement and cruising were synonymous to Vera. What has turned out to be Vera’s final cruise occurred when she stepped, arm in arm with her husband Gordon, onto the deck of the Emerald Princess bound for Alaska on July 2, 2017 – 64 years to the day after meeting, 63 years to the day after their engagement, and exactly 62 years after their marriage. Fortunately, their children and their spouses demanded they come along to make sure they behaved, and they did – the children that is, but it was never sure about the “honeymooners!”
Vera was celebrating 20 years as a cancer survivor when diagnosed with Alzheimer’s only a few weeks before her death, caused by resulting complications. The month’s comforting care and respite provided by We Care was very supportive and much-appreciated. Donations to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice would be sincerely welcomed.
Vera was predeceased by her parents, John and Elfleda Peirce, and brothers Barry and Don. She leaves, to mourn her loss, her loving husband of 65 years Gordon; her children Kerry (Sherry) of Sherwood Park, Dawn (Ron) Beijer of Rocky Mountain House, grandchildren Kristi (Nick), Sarah, Chanttyl (Cory), and Karel (Haillee) and daughter Brynlee, Vera’s first and only great-granddaughter.
At Vera’s request cremation has taken place. Due to Covid restrictions, no service will be held. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.