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Margery Joan Bastian (nee Fairchild)

May 11, 2011

Bastian062911

Margery Joan Bastian (nee Fairchild)

Margery passed peacefully with her daughter Biz and granddaughter Tanya by her side on May 11, 2011.

Margery was born January 10, 1918 in Tientsin (now Taijan). She returned to England for schooling and was an avid athlete (tennis, swimming, dancing) and musician (violin, piano).

Having completed her schooling, she returned to China where she met and married George Bastian on Feb. 24, 1940 also in Tientsin.

In 1941 Margery, George and their young daughter Gillian were interned in a prisoner of war camp in Shanghai, where they remained for four and a half years during which time Michael, their first son was born. After the war Margery and George remained in China for several years where Biz, their second daughter was born, before being forced to leave by the arrival of Mao Tse Tung’s communist regime.

On May 15, 1951 Margery arrived in Canada at age 33 on the Empress of Canada.

The family settled in Montreal, where the final addition to Margery’s family, Peter was born. In 1961, Margery and her family moved to Bricktown, New Jersey where she stayed for more than 20 years, returning to Canada after the passing of her husband George.

She lived briefly in Toronto before moving to Smithers, B.C. where she rapidly became an integral part of the community which she grew to love. Margery lived on a farm with her daughter Biz and granddaughter Tanya. She loved gardening, walking with her dogs (of which there were many over the years), reading, and spending time with her family.

Margery is survived by her four children, Gillian, Michael, Biz and Peter, along with eight grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

The family would like to express thanks and deep gratitude to all those of the Smithers community who helped make Margery’s time here as joyful and complete as anyone could wish. Special thanks go to those at Bulkley Lodge who helped keep her comfortable in her last years, and to the Hospice Society volunteers who helped Biz and Tanya keep Margery company in her last days.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to The Canadian Red Cross, Smithers Community Services, or Northwest Animal Shelter.



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