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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
VROOM, Lissa - Died peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on November 20, 2013. Born Phyllis Cook in Port Alberni in 1923, daughter of Dr. Carlyle Cook and Mrs. Elizabeth Cook. After schooling in Port Alberni she enlisted in the WRCNS and served in Halifax, Ste. Hyacinthe, Ottawa and Moncton. She was a wireless telegraphist whose special work was tracking German U Boats and taking bearings on their positions. She once received a commendation from Ottawa for the speed with which she tracked and reported a U Boat in the St Lawrence river. She was a member of the Vancouver Ex-Wren Assoc. and attended many reunions. While still in the Navy she married George (Paul) Campbell. Their two daughters Alix and Avril (Kim) were born in Port Alberni. In 1947 she moved to Vancouver. In 1959, Lissa and her second husband, Bill Vroom, bought a 42' cutter in England and sailed it across the Bay of Biscay to Spain, Portugal, North Africa and into the Mediterranean. When they ran out of money, they sold "Banshee" and worked as professional yacht crew all over the Mediterranean and later, the Caribbean. After 12 adventurous years, they returned to Canada and lived in Campbell River where Lissa taught Spanish and ESL at night school. After the death of her husband she returned to Vancouver in 1983. Lissa made her home in the Champlain Heights area of the city where she engaged in the life of the community and made many friends. She pursued her artistic interests and travelled with friends and family. She is survived by her daughters Alix Campbell (David Hambleton) and Rt. Hon. Kim Campbell (Hershey Felder), Grandson Linton Castle (Lou), great- grandchildren Regan and Liam. The family wish to express special thanks to the homemakers of the Greater Vancouver Community Services for their extraordinary skill, professionalism and kindness, which enabled Lissa to remain in her home to the end of her life. In particular, Sari, whose twenty plus years of care earned Lissa's deep affection and the gratitude and love of her family. The medical team of Home-VIVE Program, in particular Dr. Conrad Rusnak and Nurse Case Manager Carol Fitzgerald and their entire medical team also gave wonderful care that evolved with the changes in Lissa's physical condition – always with the goal of maximizing her independence as well as her well-being. A Celebration of Life was held on Dec. 14th on what would have been her 90th birthday. (Vancouver Sun / The Province 31 Jan 2014)
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