Carma Best
May 30th, 2013
Our beautiful mother, loving Nanny and fantastic great grandmother (GG), passed away peacefully on May 30, 2013 in Chilliwack, British Columbia.
She will be dearly missed by her daughters Lynda Knol (Hein predeceased), Debra (Gordon) Grunert, Faye Auffray, Bonnie (Dick) Wudrich and son Terry
(Donna) Best; her grandchildren Craig (Dawn) Best, Jolene (Andrew) Farina, Nathan Knol, Michelle (Craig) Bell, Kris (Chelsea) Grunert, Crystal (Dave)Hunter, Joelle Auffray (Adam Bumpus), Marc Auffray, Brendon Howe, Kaelene Howe, Brittnie Best (Josh Thomas), Amanda Best and Jordan Best; and her great grandchildren Connor and Danica Best, Aimee and Kate Bell, Lukas Grunert, Kaiden Best and Emmett Best.
Carma Best (nee Bate) was born in 1934 in Lachine, Québec. In 1947, Carma and her loving father Charles, moved to New Westminster BC.
Six weeks after arriving in BC, at the age of twelve, Carma was in a near-fatal automobile/bicycle accident and miraculously recovered after being in a coma for 40 days.
Carma married Donald Best on July 26, 1952 in New Westminster BC. Donald later joined the Royal Canadian Air Force which led to the couple being stationed in Calgary, Alberta; Goose Bay, Labrador; Edmonton, Alberta; Yorkton, Saskatchewan; Ottawa, Ontario and Chilliwack, British Columbia.
They had five children together. Donald passed away in December 1972.
Carma was a very generous, funny, kind, and honest person. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them. Children and animals brought her great joy. In her early years, Carma enjoyed singing and music, sewing, crocheting, and knitting. She was also an excellent five- and ten-pin bowler. While playing in a women’s league, Carma was awarded a 300 pin for a perfect ten-pin game. She was also employed for several years at York Farms in Chilliwack. Carma took great pleasure in the simple things of life. Visits with her loved ones, playing Scrabble and Bingo, going out for a nice meal, ice-cream, caesars, flowers and cigarettes
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Carma will be remembered as someone who always spoke her truth, which was one of the traits that most endeared her to our family and others. She was treasured by many and will be deeply missed.
We are grateful for the care and compassion of Dr.Lisa Legresley and the staff at Eden Intermediate Care Home. A celebration of Carma’s life will be held at a future date.
As expressions of sympathy, donations can be made to Variety - The Children's Charity of British Columbia.
You are invited to leave a fond memory or message of condolence for the family.
Messages:
To my loving Nanny hope you new "home" is better than ever i will miss you dearly going for walks with you and watching tv and spending time camping and at Cultis Lake or at Aunt Fayes Forever with a place in my heart your grandson will love and miss you until the day we meet again on the other side Goodbye!
Our families knew each other well,as neighbours living on the Chilliwack army base during our school years. Faye and I have remained friends over the years. My thoughts and prayers are with you. A poem for your family: Weep not for me though I am gone into the gentle night. Grieve if you will but not for long upon my souls sweet flight. I am at peace, my souls at rest. There is no need for tears, for with your love I was blessed, for all those years. There is no pain, I suffer not, the fear now all is gone. Put now these things out of your thoughts,for in memory I live on. Remember not my fight for breath, remember not my strif. Please do not swell upon my death but celebrate my life Author unknown
Carma (Nanny) was my ex mother-in-law and I could not ask for a better one. I lost contact with her during the past several years but I never forgot about her. Much happiness to you in your new "place," dear one. With love and respect always, Regis
Mrs Best was Bonnys mom.Bonny was my best friend. Mrs Best , I never knew her first name, but I knew that She was the coolest mother in Vedder and I loved going to her house. SHe never put on airs , and accepted us as we were. She let us cook whenever we were hungry. She was easy to talk to and I loved her laugh. She was one of us. Someone you could tell anything to without censoring it. She made me feel like family . I loved her alot.She was an important part of my childhood and has a permanent place in my heart. Farewell dear Mrs. Best. I love you.