Obituary for Gail Sandra Strachan
Strachan, Gail Sandra (née Bain) 1940 - 2023
Gail Sandra Bain Keirstead Strachan was born in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario on May 26, 1940 to Frances (Bourassa) Bain and Rowan Russell Bain, both of whom have predeceased her. Gail is survived by her brother, Peter Bain (Donna) and her sister, Judy Legault (Zane), as well as her children Graeme Keirstead (Alex) and Karen Keirstead (Wallace).
Gail was predeceased by her first husband, John Keirstead, the father of Karen and Graeme, as well as by her second husband, Peter Strachan, the love of her life.
Gail’s career was in nursing and nursing administration, and she earned a Masters in Nursing Administration from UBC with high honours. She was awarded an Award of Excellence by the Registered Nurses Association of BC, and was an active member of their discipline committee. Gail retired early from her final position, at St. Mary’s Hospital in New Westminster, and focused her life on gardening, world travel, entertaining, and doting on her granddaughters, Karen’s children, Rowan and Eryn Straughan. The family remembers time spent at Clear Lake during summers and holidays with deep love, and later their many gatherings at Gail and Peter’s coastal home north of Sechelt.
A lifetime lover of cats, she was particularly fond of Cleo, Mikey, and Tabitha. Cleo gave her wonderful companionship after Peter’s passing. Cleo was a favourite of her valued neighbours, who brought so much joy to Gail’s life when she lived at the Vance House in North Vancouver.
May she rest in peace, knowing that she was truly loved.
Gail Sandra Bain Keirstead Strachan was born in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario on May 26, 1940 to Frances (Bourassa) Bain and Rowan Russell Bain, both of whom have predeceased her. Gail is survived by her brother, Peter Bain (Donna) and her sister, Judy Legault (Zane), as well as her children Graeme Keirstead (Alex) and Karen Keirstead (Wallace).
Gail was predeceased by her first husband, John Keirstead, the father of Karen and Graeme, as well as by her second husband, Peter Strachan, the love of her life.
Gail’s career was in nursing and nursing administration, and she earned a Masters in Nursing Administration from UBC with high honours. She was awarded an Award of Excellence by the Registered Nurses Association of BC, and was an active member of their discipline committee. Gail retired early from her final position, at St. Mary’s Hospital in New Westminster, and focused her life on gardening, world travel, entertaining, and doting on her granddaughters, Karen’s children, Rowan and Eryn Straughan. The family remembers time spent at Clear Lake during summers and holidays with deep love, and later their many gatherings at Gail and Peter’s coastal home north of Sechelt.
A lifetime lover of cats, she was particularly fond of Cleo, Mikey, and Tabitha. Cleo gave her wonderful companionship after Peter’s passing. Cleo was a favourite of her valued neighbours, who brought so much joy to Gail’s life when she lived at the Vance House in North Vancouver.
May she rest in peace, knowing that she was truly loved.