James Loutit 1930-2011

Hello again:

People don't know what to say to a person who experiences the loss of two parents so closely in time. However, friends and family who knew Mom and Dad so well knew instinctively that Dad without Mom was like skiing without snow.

Dad was born in Vancouver and was a true westcoaster. He embraced the lifestyle and spent many of his teenage years hiking up Grouse Mountain and skiing down. Living in Point Grey, this involved taking the streetcar to the ferry, riding the ferry, transferring to a street car, and then hiking up the mountain. He would stay in the Tyee ski cabin on the hill and on a good day, get in 4-5 runs. Now that is what I call passion! In fact, passion is one of the words I would consider when thinking about Dad.

He pursued his interests with passion. Of course, his life-long passion was Mom, and he always wanted her to feel safe and secure.

Dad was an accomplished athlete throughout life. In high school, he played basketball, where his team competed and won several championship games, including Provincial High School Title. As a Tyee ski racer, he competed and placed in many races. Dad continued playing sports during his University years, where he received his degree in Commerce at UBC.

After marrying Mom in 1955, they moved to Toronto, where he began his life-long career in the lumber business. His competitiveness shined with Cooper-Widman and after a few years, and one child, Christie, he was transferred with the company to Edmonton.

Along with thriving in business there, Dad competed with the Eskimo Ski Club, the businessman's volleyball league and played competitive handball. In 1964, with one more child in tow, me, they were transferred to Vancouver. In West Vancouver, they build their dream home.

Dad joined the Semour Golf club and took up golf with a passion. In the winter, he re-connected with the Grouse Mountain Tyee Ski Club, and coached in the Nancy Greene Ski League. He developed and re-kindled many friends through skiing, as well, he installed a love of competing and for the outdoors with his children.

Once Jamie arrived, his family was complete and we settled int a great life of skiing, holidays in the Okanogan, fishing trips and swimming at the beach. Dad sent time with each of us, encouraging us to pursue our own passions and supporting our decisions throughout life.

He was tough when he needed to be, and was proud and full of praise when it was warranted, as well, he like to tease us, even though it sometimes went a bit too far, he always meant well.

Retirement for Dad meant starting his own lumber business in Qualicum, but also balancing his lifestyle by living on a golf course and playing golf at least 4 times a week. His work allowed him to keep in touch with his industry friends and augment his income to allow Mom and him to travel during non-gof months.

His slower pace in life allowed time to see his grandchildren grow and develop and he took pleasure in following their academic and athletic pursuits.

After a massive stroke in 2007, Dad had an amazing recovery, which we all knew was due to his inner strength. One of the first things he told me when he could speak again was that he wanted to live to make sure that Mom would be looked after.

He never complained about his stroke and the fact that he would never swing a club again, and he settled into the routine at the Gardens Care Home. Mom and Dad enjoyed the great entertainment, happy hours, and the gardening club during his time there. He continued to be an avid reader and golf/hockey watcher. Last summer, he discovered that he could drive his wheelchair all the way home, and he did so every sunny day. Unless Mom was on the golf course that day, then, he would show up there! Mom was so pleased to see him, and they had a great time with this. He put on more miles on that wheelchair last summer than I did on my motorcycle!

The last few months, Dad was not well, and he seemed to have lost the twinkle in his blue eyes when Mom was diagnosed with cancer.

We know his is in a much better pace now, either trying to talk Mom down a black diamond ski run, or teeing off in a couples tournament where here are no sand traps or water hazards.

Big Jim, we love you and miss you.

Edie Loutit 1930-2011

Because I have loved life,

I shall have no sorrow to die. Emily Burr

Mom truly loved her life, and she believed she was blessed with so much happiness throughout it.

She was born and raised in Vancouver and graduated from McGee High School, where she retained many long term friendships. Of course, the most significant meeting was the love of her life, Dad. They were in each other's grade one class, and started dating on and off since grade nine. A true love story.

She graduated from UBC and enjoyed her time there as a Sorority member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. From the photos and stories there, it's a wonder they even got any school work done!

After graduation, she became an Orthopedic technologist and worked at VGH and at Seattle Orthopedic Hospital.

Mom and Dad were married in 1955, and moved to Toronto, where Mom worked at a doctor's office until Christie was born. Dad was then transferred to Edmonton, where they expanded the family by one more daughter, me. They made good friends in Edmonton, but as true Westcoasters, were thrilled to transfer one more time to their home city- Vancouver.

After building their dream home in West Vancouver, the family grew by one more, Dad's namesake, James, better known as Jamie.

Mom and Dad were a great twosome, and always presented a united front when encouraging us along our paths. They were also the best of friends, participating together in badminton, skiing, bridge golf and sharing a passion for gardening.

Along with her dear school friends, Mom developed strong and enduring friendships with ski buddies, golf pals, and bridge mates. She had a great sense of humor and love to host and attend parties. We all have great memories of her annual Christmas Eve parties she hosted for our Aunts, Uncles, cousins and later their children - a highlight that showcased her supreme organizational and culinary skills.

Mom and Dad made a point of going out every Saturday night for date night, as well, then booked a week ski holiday with their close friends every year, where they took the time to relax and rejuvenate. There were so many photos of the great times they shared on and off the ski hill.

Golf was another passion for Mom, and she played her last game in October 2010. She had a great attitude towards the game, and we have heard from many of her fellow golfers how much her presence will be missed on the links.

Once thing that Christie, Jamie and I really cherish is memories of Mom and Dad's queen sized bed. It was a place where we would go as children when we had a bad dream, or just wanted the safety and comfort of being close to our parents. It was also a place where we celebrated birthdays! We would all climb in bed in the morning and the presents would magically appear from under the bed, and would be opened while surrounded by the whole family. In later years, whenever Christie or me would come to Qualicum to visit, we would always grab a cup of coffee and slip into bed with Mom to talk, or to share the paper. From Calgary, I would often grab a coffee on a weekend morning and call Mom from my bed to hers, just to chat. As Nana's grandchildren arrived, the bed was also a place for them to cuddle and watch T.V. The best place in the world to be.

Seventeen years ago, Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sh took the news with her regular aplomb, and chose aggressive treatment, fully supported by Dad, and chose not to focus on the negatives of the unfairness of this disease, as well, not wanting to worry her children.

Mom and Dad moved to Qualicum in 1995 and embraced the Island life, enjoying golf, bridge and the gardening scene, while making new friends and encouraging old ones to move from the mainland. Mom was involved in Senior buttons at both Eaglecrest and Pheasant Glen, and she really enjoyed it, as it gave her an opportunity to meet even more women who shared her passion for golf - or was it passion for socializing?

Whether it was a trip south or taking the kids to the beach, Mom embraced these events and holidays with zest.

After Dad's stroke three years ago, she became active at the Gardens Care Home where he lives now and ran the Green Thumb Club. Dad also proudly offered up her recipe for ribs at the men's lunch club, where it quickly became a favorite meal for the group. She made the best of her sudden separation from Dad, filling her lonely hours with projects around the house, such as painting, and became interested in trying out new recipes to keep her mealtimes interesting. We are all thankful for her wonderful neighbours who kept an eye on her and made her feel safe at night, when she missed Dad the most. Having Jamie close by to assist with the household chores also gave her comfort and company.

All of her grandchildren considered Nana and Papa's house a home away from home and it brought great joy to her to have them around as much as they were.

Mom always put her husband, her children and here grandchildren first, and her acceptance of the seriousness of her illness not only helped us through our grief, but showed us that she was satisfied with her life, and we were all comforted by her actions and attitude.