Rowena Paddon (nee Godson)

In loving memory ~

It is with profound sadness that we bear the passing of our wonderful wife, mother and sister Rowena Paddon (nee Godson) in her 85th year.

Rowena was born June 6th, 1939 in Belleville, Ontario. Her father was an RCAF Wing Commander and after the war the family settled in Trenton, Ontario where Rowena spent her formative years. She finished High School in Halifax, Nova Scotia and went on to post secondary. After graduating with a degree in English from Sir George Williams University in Montreal, Rowena taught school and served as an RCAF Reserve Flying Officer. While stationed in St.Hubert, Quebec she met and married her husband, Bill (Edward William) - an RCAF Officer and graduate from the Royal Military College of Canada.

In the early years of their life together, Rowena and Bill had many postings on the "Dew Line" before being transferred to Holland. They travelled all over Europe with their two young children before returning to Canada. The family lived in Trenton, Ottawa, and Winnipeg. A second posting overseas in Heidelberg, Germany offered even more opportunity for the family to travel so it was no surprise that when they again returned to Canada, Rowena became a travel agent. She loved to travel and could say something about pretty much anywhere anyone would want to go. She particularly loved Ireland, where she would enjoy trips with her mother, sister and sister-in-law.

On a family trip to the West coast, Rowena fell in love with Victoria, BC. When Bill retired from the military they chose that city to "retire" in. In Victoria, Rowena joined the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires and served at the Royal BC Museum, HMC Dockyard and finally at BC's Government house while Iona Campagnolo was Lieutenant Governor. She received a service award from her before retiring.

Bill and Rowena would often travel "up island" and found a more relaxed lifestyle in the Comox Valley. An avid golfer, Rowena had plenty of courses to chose from - her favourite was Longlands where she would play an early round of golf and enjoy a cup of tea with friends.

She and Bill also loved cruising. With friends or by themselves, they had many adventures together on these trips and returned with fantastic stories and wonderful memories that they shared with each other and the family.

Rowena loved playing bridge, going out for lunch, knitting, doing jigsaw puzzles, yoga, doing crossword puzzles or just relaxing. She was a master of trivia and could tell you the name of almost any plant, animal, country, song lyric or poem! She loved and was fiercely proud of her children and grand children.

We will miss her deeply.

Rowena is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Edward William "Bill", her son, Jonathan, daughter Blythe Reimer (Kurt), grandsons, Joel, Dylan and Aidan and her sister Marilyn Brown (nee Godson). She is pre-deceased by her parents, RCAF Wing Commander George Oscar and Marion Constance Godson (nee Long), and her brother George William Earl Godson and his wife Sarah "Geneice" Morris and Brother-In-Law Bruce Brown.

In the last years of her life, Rowena and her family experienced the heartbreak of her cognitive decline. We wish to acknowledge all the loving and professional care given to Rowena by the staff of Ocean View at The Views. For the past 22 months they supported and cared for Rowena and her family during this difficult journey.

A celebration of Rowena's life will be held on July 19, 2024 in Comox at the Comox United Church, 250 Beach Drive, at 1300 hrs (1pm).

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada or to Providence Living at The Views in Rowena's honour.