Tribute

Beryl June Meyer-Christiansen, a long-time resident of Van Anda,Texada Island, B.C. died
Monday, the 9th of July, 2018. She was at home, in her bed, with her cat Smokey and her
friend Sue by her side. She was 88 years old.
Born in Carlisle (Perth), Western Australia, on June 2nd 1930, Beryl June Meyer was the
youngest of 10 children. “B.J.” set out to see the world in the 50’s, with her mate Laura,
working their way around Australia and New Zealand. After Laura fell hopelessly in love
with Don and decided to remain in New Zealand, Beryl picked up with Sunny and together
they continued to travel the world. They ended up in the Yukon Territory, where Beryl met
Keith Christiansen. Several months later Beryl moved to Edmonton and gave birth to her
dearly loved son Christopher and the two of them carved out their place in the world for the
next 30 years. She worked at Jewish Family Services in Edmonton for the remainder of
her working life and enjoyed a wonderfully full life with their many friends and her sister
Queenie’s family in the mid-western United States.
Once Beryl and Keith decided that Chris had turned out OK, they committed to marriage,
Beryl retired and moved to Texada to live with Keith in 1991. She embraced island life with
enthusiasm and enjoyed involvement with many organisations and social groups, as well
as her many friends in the area.
Her “uniquely Beryl” sense of humour will be greatly missed by so many, from a wealth of
family and friends in Canada and the U.S. to a cast of hundreds across Australia and New
Zealand. We can all, however, take comfort in the knowledge that from beginning to endShe
did it her way.
As per Beryl’s wishes and her Gemini nature, her ashes will be split evenly in two. One
half will be scattered at Scarborough Beach, off the coast of Perth into the Indian Ocean,
during the upcoming Australian summer. The other half will be scattered at Shelter Point,
Texada Island, into the Pacific Ocean, during the next Canadian summer. This will allow
time for her many friends and family to travel and join Chris and Su at either of her
commitment ceremonies. Details will be announced when the plans are finalised.
If anyone wishes to make a donation in Beryl’s honour, please choose an organisation that
supports the well being of cats.