Friends and family of Gayle Quin will be gathering in Victoria the weekend of November 5 and 6 to celebrate her life. She peacefully passed away in her home on Thurs Sept 22 after a long fight with cancer. Several events are being planned, giving everyone a proper chance to say goodbye and meet some of the other incredible souls she pulled into her circle.
Gayle Quin is survived by by her sons Joe and Chris, daughter-in-laws Sage and Jacqui, grand-daughters Abbygayle and Kaya Lou, step grand-daughters Phoenix, Ella and Meryn, sisters Denise and Maureen, brothers Mike, Jimmy and Grant, many other extended family members. Having lost both of her parents to cancer, and her brother Brian last summer, Gayle’s family is far too familiar with the pain the loss of a loved one causes.
At 3 pm on Sat Nov 5, a public celebration of life will be held in Beacon Hill Park at the Cameron Bandshell. While it is impossible to control the weather, this venue has far more meaning to my love than any funeral home would ever have, as we used to host many Hempology 101 meetings there and took many walks through the park at night. There are benches so, as long as it is not pouring rain, a blanket will help anyone feel comfortable. Gayle loved the rain, so in many ways it would be fitting to have a light mist surround us as we remember her.
Later that night a party will be held at the Sunset Room to give us an opportunity to relax, dance and share some memories together. Located on the inner harbour with a nice patio near the water, the Sunset Room is a non-alcohol, all-ages venue that will be perfect for the occasion. Smoking or vaping are not allowed inside or near the path that leads to the boat dock.
The following day we will gather at Gayle’s property, known as Cobble Herb Retreat, starting at 4:20 pm. A fire will be lit in the tipi for the evening. Anyone interested in attending should send me a private message for the address if you require it.
For those unfamiliar with the work of Gayle, I will refer you to the eulogy I wrote last week and the several articles I and others have previously written about her. For those of us lucky enough to know her and work with her, she was a unique firestorm that could be tender and gentle with a stranger one moment and a fierce defender of the weak the next. For myself, the love of my life is gone and I will never be the same again.
