Obituary of Willa Jane Temple

Willa Temple

1929-2026

 

Willa Temple, late of Saanichton, BC, formerly of Fort St John, BC, passed peacefully after a brief illness on May 19, 2026, surrounded by family at the age of 96.

Born in Montreal, Willa lived a long and productive life dedicated to her family, community and church. After high school, Willa entered nursing school and upon graduation left Montreal and travelled across the country to accept a position as an O.R. nurse at a hospital in Vancouver. There, she met and married a charismatic young doctor named Jack Temple and, along with their newborn son, accompanied him to Williams Lk to support him in his career. While there, they added 3 more children before Jack decided a change was in order and moved the young family to Grimsby, Ont., where child number 5 was born. Ultimately, they decided BC was a better fit and relocated once more to Fort St John, where they put down roots and completed their family with their 6th child.

Willa had a strong sense of community and worked countless hours in support of local organizations including (but not limited to) the FSJ Community Band, FSJ Elks Speedskating Club, FSJ Stingray Swim Club, North Peace Light Horse Association, Northern Lights Chamber Choir, FSJ Public Library and the Anglican Church Women (ACW). An impressive example of this commitment took place in the summer of 1989 on her 60th birthday, when in an extraordinary effort to raise money for the construction of the North Peace Cultural Centre, a project which she passionately supported, she collected sponsors and swam 600 lengths of the local pool successfully raising approximately $13,000.00, an amount roughly equivalent to $29,000.00 today.

Willa happily dedicated herself to the care and entertainment of her 13 grandchildren and was thrilled to be able to welcome 3 great grandchildren into the fold as well.

After Jack’s passing in 2007, Willa chose to escape the harsh northern winters in favor of Vancouver Island’s milder climate and closer proximity to the support of her eldest daughter. Her final years were spent in a wonderful retirement community in Saanichton, where her days were filled with activities and the music she so loved; to the extent that she was often surprisingly difficult to reach!

Willa was pre-deceased by her husband Jack, her parents Paul and Evelyn and brother David. She is survived by her son Joseph(Becky) and grandchildren Meredith, Eleanor and Claire; daughter Beverly(Bob) and grandchildren Stephen(Tracey) and Jak(Erika); son Stephen; son John and grandchildren(with Gail), Adam(Michelle), Matt, Scott and Benson; son Michael(Monica) and grandchildren Mason and Morgan; and daughter Ruth(Kevin) and grandchildren Kieran and Beccah. Especially treasured are her 3 great-grandchildren Niya, Norko and Akira. Also survived by her nieces Sandy, Stephanie and Kathy and nephew Kevin.

 

Willa will be laid to rest in FSJ alongside her beloved Jack and her mother Evelyn.

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