On August 31 2008, Lois Blais died peacefully at Vancouver’s Marion Hospice. She will be greatly missed by her partner Dave Smith; her brother Ron and nieces Sandy and Becky, all from North Bay, Ontario where Lois was born and raised. Lois will also be missed and remembered by her many friends.Lois began her career as a nurse at St Michael’s Hospital in Toronto before moving west. She held many positions at St. Paul’s Hospital throughout her career from Staff Nurse to Patient Care Manager, and worked at the Vancouver General and the BC Cancer Agency. In 1996 she received her master’s degree in Nursing from the University of British Columbia and later became an adjunct professor for the School, offering her wise and skilled mentorship to students.
Among her many volunteer experiences Lois was a member of St. Paul Hospital’s Ethics Committee, was active with and dedicated to the BC History of Nursing group, was a member of the UBC Nursing Xi Eta Chapter, and sat on the BCIT Med/Surg Advisory Committee. Lois was also heavily involved with the Langara College Holistic Health Program sitting on their advisory committee as member and also as chair.
Once holding the position of President of the Vancouver Chapter of the Registered Nurses Association of British Columbia, Lois remained dedicated to that association after “work retirement” as well. She held executive positions on the board and on a number of committees including the Philosophy of Nursing Group and the Nursing Research Professional Practice Group. Lois also received an Award of Honour from the CRNBC in 1994.
Anyone who knew Lois knew she was ready with a smile and kind word. She held optimism and hope close to her heart and emanated a natural desire for those around her to feel content. An active member of many communities in her life, Lois also nourished her many talents. She was known as a poet, a dancer, teacher, historian and newspaper columnist just to name a few.
In memory of Lois, please consider a donation to the B.C. History of Nursing, P.O. Box 72082, RPO Sasamat, Vancouver, V6R 4P2. An obituary was published in the Vancouver Sun.
Please read her Amazing Alumni Story.