Long-time Comox Valley chapter activist Beryl Mottershead passed away on December 11 at the age of 94.
Comox Valley chapter activist Gwyn Frayne notes, “Beryl was from Australia. She was a teacher and married to Noel, a philosophy professor. They were adventurous, the prime example of which was that they sailed alone across the Pacific Ocean and, as I remember Beryl telling me, some pirates stole their boat near the end of the trip. They had worked in the U.S. and settled on Vancouver Island, which was lucky for us. Beryl was an intellectual, who knew about how the corporations were controlling governments. Noel was an atheist but Beryl, who believed in humanism, was a Unitarian. Beryl believed in the CoC. Beryl championed all of the right issues: poverty, women’s issues, social justice in Canada and in the Global South or the Third World. She even was a volunteer for Kairos and the CoC until her late 80’s!”
Tidechange Comox Valley highlights, “Beryl Mottershead, a life-long activist, passed away on December 11, at the age of 94. A life-long worker for social justice, she was respected for her commitment to causes within the larger framework of social and environmental justice. Well into her eighties when she was involved in at least 5 organizations. When poor health caused her to step back she still wanted to be connected to people. Wherever she went people would warm to her wonderful welcoming personality. Beryl remained grateful and gracious to the end, always putting others first!”
At the memorial service on January 6 for Beryl, Gwyn read this statement from Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow: “We at the Council of Canadians remember Beryl with great admiration. Explorer, humanitarian, teacher, activist, Beryl had it all. I personally thank her for being the one to conscript Gwyn Frayne to the COC executive; nothing has been the same in the Valley since! We share this sad day with you all in remembrance of someone who cared more about others than she did about herself. This surely is the secret to Beryl’s long and productive life.”
We extend our condolences to her family, friends and fellow activists in the Comox Valley chapter.