Tribute

It is with deep sadness that our family announces that Linda May Fowlie (nee Hilborn), age 72, of Powell River, British Columbia, Canada has passed away on December 8, 2020. Our family would especially like to thank the nurses and staff at Powell River General Hospital for taking such great attention and care towards Linda in ensuring her comfort during her time of passing  while beside her life partner, Daniel Stark (born August 30, 1951; deceased December 10, 2020).

Linda May Fowlie was born July 11, 1948 in Preston, Ontario, Canada. Her father Nelson Hilborn, born January 28, 1924, deceased December 11, 2015 and mother Doris (nee MacAvoy), who passed in 1973, married in 1945 (England, United Kingdom). As veterans of WWII, Nelson and his wife Doris settled in Preston, Ontario and began a family. Linda was the youngest of three. Linda was predeceased by baby sisters May and Eva, and older sister Doris Orton (nee Hilborn). Linda is survived by her older brother David Hilborn along with many extended family members in Ontario (Canada), including several nieces and nephews. Her father Nelson later remarried Doreen (nee Cherry; deceased 2009), Linda’s stepmother.

Linda leaves behind her eldest son Shane Stark of Cochrane, Ontario, along with his three grown children, Selina, Tamara and Fritz Stark. Linda was blessed to be a Great Grandmother to Isabella, daughter of Tamara Stark. Of her first marriage to Paul Fowlie, Linda is survived by three children, youngest son Robert Fowlie and identical twin daughters Debra MacWilliam (Fowlie) and Dawn Almond (Fowlie). Linda was present for the birth of her surviving grandchildren, Haleigh Almond and Clayton Almond (Dawn Almond). From her second partner, Daniel Stark, she leaves behind her youngest daughter Hannah Stark.

In childhood, Linda liked camping out at Hillside Park with her brother and sister. Her parents were ‘real campers’. Surviving polio as a young girl, Linda was treated differently, and she marched to her own drumbeat. Linda was unique and took joy in seeking out ways to be different. She worked in an auto-parts factory that her mother worked at while being an artist when she put her mind to it. Linda had great style – always rocking a blonde  (sometimes red or purple) pixie cut with colourful thick framed glasses (especially the red ones) and matching outfits – her sundresses were always a statement. If you got one of her knitted sweaters or a crochet piece, you were a part of the family no question. Linda would get up to things like being ‘Hyderized’ when visiting Alaska and enjoying outdoor activities like gardening, she had quite the green thumb and kept an impressive vegetable garden; she was always canning, making jam and homemade meals. She enjoyed fishing and camping. She was a social butterfly who liked a good rock n’ roll concert. She attended the Rocky Horror Picture Show in New York. It has been said that her first language was hyperbole and she had a penchant for embellishing stories and creating fantastic imagery. She knew how to have a good time and make sure others were included. Linda loved making people smile and laugh. Nothing was out of question to what could come out of her mouth to achieve that goal. Linda had a wicked sense of humour.

Linda relocated to British Columbia from Ontario in the mid 1980’s where she began working in the aquaculture industry, alongside her second spouse Daniel Stark. Linda had elaborate stories of them up in Prince Rupert, B.C. and around the time of Expo 86 when Linda and Danny lived in Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast, B.C. They later moved north on the coast to Garden Bay, Pender Harbour in the early 1990’s where they resided for over 20 years. As an amazing cook and boss in the kitchen, Linda worked at Garden Bay Pub, Irvine’s Landing Pub, Madeira Park Legion and Pender Harbour Golf Course. It was hard work, but she always had a great time and made many friends and memories.

She was a fun and loving mother, partner and friend. She made life interesting for those who knew her well. She took care of her children by making clothes, planning activities and always having a full fridge. She has left her family with very special memories. She always had good advice when you needed it most. She liked to tease – just another way for her to show affection to those she cared about. Friends and family were everything to Linda. No matter what, her home had an open door. Linda was a fighter of many battles in life and not one dimmed her light. Her life was one big adventure and oh boy was she tough. Nothing stopped her from being herself and inspiring others to be unstoppable.

A celebration of life is to occur once the public health environment is safe to do so. It is important to our family and friends to share our mother’s legacy among those she loved.