Tribute

It is with the heaviest of hearts and many tears that we announce the passing of our dear mother, Cecilia Marie Campbell, on Sunday, April 26, 2026.  She passed away at the Evergreen Extended Care Unit in Powell River, BC with her family by her side.

In 1942 Cecilia was born in North Vancouver, British Columbia and grew up with her three older siblings, Osa, Lorraine and Audrey in a single parent household.  She attended St. Mary’s Private School, Sutherland Elementary and North Vancouver High School.  Due to Cecilia being quite a bit younger than her siblings, they affectionately called her “FBI” as their mother, Katherine Polk, often found out what the older girls were up to through her.

At a young age Cecilia formed a close friendship with her neighbor, Dorothy Ewert, which lasted a lifetime.  They spent many summers picking berries together, working together and eventually being each others maid of honour at their weddings.  During her teenage years Cecilia excelled in track and was encouraged to train with the boys to meet her competitive spirit.

Cecilia met Bill at a dance where he was performing and they began dating soon after.  They married on November 28, 1958 in a small ceremony and continued to live in the Vancouver area, welcoming their first child, Rebel-William MacMillan followed by their daughter Dorothy Jean two years later.

In October of 1963 Cecilia and Bill moved to Texada Island when Bill was transferred there by the Department of Highways under Chuck Milne’s supervision.  One of Cecilia and Bill’s first Texada friends were Sylvia and Urbie Robillard – friends to this day.  They welcomed their third child Kenneth James Iver six weeks later and another daughter Katherine Louise two years after that.  Their initial home was in the VanAnda area, but they later moved to Blubber Bay across from the general store.  They eventually relocated to the BC Cement side of Blubber Bay where they created a small hobby farm that included chickens, pigs, ducks, a cow, numerous cats and the family dog Happy.  The last home Cecilia and Bill shared was located in VanAnda on Nicholas Avenue.

Cecilia became Postmistress of the Blubber Bay Post Office when Katherine was four.  Her tiny office was initially part of the general store and later became a standalone establishment often filled with the aroma of cookies she baked while waiting for customers.  She served in this roll for over 30 years.

Cecilia quickly became involved in her community through extensive volunteer work.  She joined the local woman’s baseball team, the “Blubber Bay Babes,” and looked forward to the start of each season.  She found joy in becoming a snowbird, traveling to Yuma, Arizona each winter to spend time with fellow snowbird friends.  She is fondly remembered by her Yuma friends for making lemon meringue pies from lemons left at her doorstep.  She enjoyed making a trip across Canada and to Alaska with Dorothy Ewert and her family.  She cherished her bridge games with friends and her passions included gardening, canning and baking countless cookies for her family.  Weekly coffee dates with friends also brought her happiness.  Cecilia’s deep faith in God was her greatest source of joy during her life.

Cecilia is predeceased by her parents Lyal Chemainus Polk and Katherine Viola Polk, her husband Bill Campbell with whom she shared 48 years, her partner later in life Don Turner from Courtenay, BC, her siblings Osa Ozella, Lorraine Lillian and Audrey Ada, her best friend Dorothy and her husband Fred Ewert and her eldest son William MacMillan Campbell.

Cecilia is survived by her daughter Dot Campbell (Lyle), son Ken Campbell (Laurie) and daughter Katherine Campbell Little (Craig) and several nieces and nephews and their families.  She will also be remembered by her church community, bridge buddies and the Legion community.

Cecilia will be fondly remembered for her kind heart, willingness to help others out, her fierce independence and strong will that allowed her to overcome life’s many challenges.

Celia will be deeply missed, forever loved and never forgotten.

We extend our gratitude to the caregivers, nurses and doctors on the 4th floor of the qathet General Hospital and at the Evergreen Extended Care Unit for their compassion and professionalism.  Special thanks to Dr. Odoemelam (Ester) for her guidance, compassion and kind words.