In Loving Memory
Carol Gardarsson
1950 – 2017
The world is a little dimmer today without the smile of Carol Gardarsson, our wife, mother, sister and friend. On May 11, 2017 our storyteller finished her last chapter.
Carolyn Ann entered this world on December 23, 1950 to Emil and Marie Kowalski. She was the middle child of seven. She was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and over her lifetime she grew roots in both her birth province and her adopted B.C.
In her teens Carol’s parents managed a motel in Manitoba and there she met and married her first husband, Carl Blahey. Their family soon grew by three as daughters Kelly, Jennifer and Stephany provided their mom with an endless audience for her stories. In 1988 she embarked on a new life with her husband Gardar. They were partners in life and business and both were always happiest when they were together.
Carol began her long newspaper career in Manitoba as a reporter. There she learned to research and the value of accuracy. She was a stickler for grammar and the only thing that was guaranteed to annoy her was sloppy spelling. Over the years she worked at many different publications in Alberta and B.C. including several years as publisher of the Clearwater Times and the Barriere Star/Journal.
After retiring from the newspaper and magazine world Carol turned her hand to writing fiction. Drawing on her vast knowledge of the Icelandic community of Manitoba, Carol fashioned a series, Brewing Evil. Originally planned as a trilogy the novels grew to five, as readers demanded more. One of the books has been published in Iceland to favourable reviews.
Carol’s personal philosophy was one of optimism. You need to love, live and laugh, she said many times. The cancer that ultimately claimed her life never once diminished her spirit. Her love and genuine happiness will live on in everyone she cared about. And we in turn, will always love and miss her. Somewhere over the rainbow Carol is at peace.
Carol is survived by her husband Gardar, her siblings and their families, Sharon St. James, Ron Kowalski, Alex Kowalski, Penny Cousineau and Danny Kowalski. Carol’s sister Mardell predeceased her earlier this year. Carol also leaves to mourn, her precious daughters and their families: Kelly and Scott Spain and their daughters Morgan and Melissa; Jennifer and Paul Berry and their sons Andrew Blahey and Cody Blahey; and Stephany Blahey and her daughter Michaela Mann.
There will be a celebration of life at Dougall Park in Gibsons on Sunday, May 21 beginning at noon.
Many thanks to Dr. John Hourigan for his care of Carol.