Carolyn Selena Charlton Fletcher

January 22, 1966 – September 20, 2026

With completely broken hearts, we announce the passing of Carolyn Selena Charlton Fletcher, who died peacefully in Vernon, BC, on September 20, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Carolyn leaves behind her beloved husband and lifelong partner of 35 years, Heath Fletcher; her sons, Griffin and Gavin; her sisters, Arlene DeBruin and Valerie Miner (Brother-in-law Phil and nephew Jackson); and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends who will carry her memory forward. She was predeceased by her parents, John (Jack) Joseph Charlton and Evelyn Charlton (née Wenzel), and her brothers, Raymond Charlton, Lorne Charlton and brother-in-law, Carl DeBruin.

Carolyn was born in Chilliwack, BC, on January 22, 1966. The family spent a few years at CFB Petawawa before returning to Chilliwack, where Carolyn grew up. From an early age, Carolyn had a natural curiosity, a love of nature, and an extraordinary creative spirit. That carried on into her adult life, where she found joy in photography, gardening, permaculture, baking, cooking, pottery, home design, and countless other artistic pursuits.

Growing up, she played baseball, basketball, and many other sports, as well as learning to play the saxophone and performing in her high school band. She formed many close friendships during her teen years that would last a lifetime and remain an important part of her life.

Carolyn’s adventurous spirit took her many places. She joined the Army Cadets and attended basic training in Vancouver, she travelled to Japan, and backpacked across Mexico. Carolyn also spent four summers working as a tree planter in British Columbia and was both the First okAid attendant and a high baller. Following one planting season, she took a road trip to Alaska. Carolyn studied biology at UBC before deciding to relocate to Victoria, where she joined the Western Academy of Photography in 1991 to become a photographer.

It was here that Carolyn formed many close friendships, including with Heath, beginning a partnership that would become the foundation of her life. Together, they built careers as photographers, photographing weddings, portraits, families, and whatever opportunities came their way. Living in Victoria, they enjoyed many dinners at Pagliacci’s, hiking and camping, boating, and exploring island life with friends and family. This was the beginning of an extraordinary union between two people that would last 35 amazing years.

In 1998, Carolyn and Heath relocated to Calgary. They married in 1999 at the Kananaskis Guest Ranch in a beautiful Celtic-style gathering. Soon afterward, they embarked on an unforgettable adventure in Southeast Asia, travelling through Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal, and South Korea.

Returning to Calgary, they started Bliss Photographic and immersed themselves in Calgary’s wedding industry as a dynamic photography duo. They also co-owned and operated Photospace Gallery at the newly opened Crossroads Market. They purchased their first home in the Ramsay neighbourhood and started their family. They had two sons, Griffin, born in March of 2002, and Gavin, born in June of 2005. Shortly after Gavin was born, Carolyn and Heath made the life-changing decision to move to Vernon, to raise their kids closer to family.

Carolyn was a natural at motherhood, and the love she had for her two boys was unconditional and unlimited. She poured her heart and soul into every moment of their lives and fed them emotionally, intellectually, and, most importantly, with food. Becoming a home cook who rivalled any Red Seal baker or chef, she was also a soccer, hockey, and karate mom and even became a Student Supervisor at École Beairsto Elementary, monitoring students during lunch breaks and recess just to be close to them. She took it one step further and opened the Overtime Cafe at the Civic Arena, bringing her foodie talents to the marketplace. For the next few years, she provided the hockey community with much-needed baked goodies, snacks, popcorn, and caffeine during the hockey season. Griffin and Gavin also had firsthand experience with entrepreneurship, working behind the counter with her.

Carolyn and Heath started Red Door Photographic to carry on their business in the wedding industry and co-created the Vernon Bridal Event with friends. They eventually settled on a beautiful acre of paradise that became the meeting place for family and friends, where they enjoyed BBQs, feasts and dinners of all sizes, birthday parties, sleepovers, Halloween and toboggan parties, and bonfires for the next 20 years. In 2019, Carolyn and Heath jumped feet-first into Dancing with the Vernon Stars and shared their 20th wedding anniversary with the community to help raise money for the North Okanagan Hospice Society at an event held at their home, fondly remembered today by those who attended.

It was on this property where Carolyn’s passion for gardening and permaculture truly flourished. She decided to study permaculture design, earning her certificate and launching her company, Birdsong Permaculture Design. She became deeply involved in the local permaculture community and was a co-founder of the Vernon Permaculture group, where she shared her knowledge, enthusiasm, and love of growing things with many other like-minded individuals.

Carolyn is known for her extraordinary passion and talent for gardening, something that is abundantly evident throughout the garden she and her family created together. Her garden was far more than a place to grow food. It was her sanctuary, her creative outlet, and a place where she found healing, inspiration, solace, and renewal.

She loved sharing her passion and knowledge, especially with children. When she noticed a fenced area in the schoolyard at École Beairsto Elementary, she saw an opportunity to create a food forest so students could learn where their food comes from. Carolyn spearheaded the design and implementation of the garden with the support of the administration, staff, and students. The garden has become part of the school’s programming, and her vision helped inspire the possibility of similar gardens in schools and educational facilities throughout Vernon.

Carolyn was also an exceptionally talented baker. She began as a gluten-free baker at Gumtree Catering, later moving to the Hot Bread Shoppe, where she perfected the art of sourdough, among other things. In 2021, Carolyn took a leap of faith to fulfill a lifelong dream to open a café bakery. She co-created the Roxy Cafe, a wonderful café that became especially beloved by those seeking delicious vegan food and baking. The Roxy was a reincarnation of a bakery by the same name that existed in the same location during the ’70s. The Roxy was loved by vegan and non-vegan fans across the Okanagan for its incredible breakfast and lunch menu and was renowned for its fabulous baked goods and bread.

In August 2023, Carolyn was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a blood cancer for which a stem cell transplant was required. Her sister, Arlene, lovingly donated her stem cells. Carolyn underwent the transplant in March 2024, spending four weeks at Vancouver General Hospital, followed by another three months receiving outpatient care. With the tremendous support of family, friends, and the Vernon community, Carolyn fought her way through treatment and emerged strong.

Everything appeared to be on track until January 2025, when it was discovered that Carolyn had advanced liver disease caused by graft-versus-host disease resulting from her transplant.

A brief reprieve gave Carolyn and Heath the opportunity to fulfil another of Carolyn’s dreams: an epic four-week journey through Italy in the spring of 2026, made possible by the generosity of the Front Row Foundation. They spent a week at an organic cooking school in Tuscany and travelled through the Italian countryside, creating precious memories to be treasured forever. A photo book that was created by the organizers beautifully captures the joy Carolyn experienced on this trip and provides a memory for her family to treasure forever.

After returning home, Carolyn’s condition changed. In September, she was admitted to the emergency department at Vernon Jubilee Hospital, where she spent eight days courageously fighting for her life as she faced serious complications from her transplant. Despite everything she had fought so hard to overcome, the complications ultimately could not be survived. Carolyn passed peacefully on the morning of September 20, with her family by her side.

Carolyn brought so much kindness, love, and creativity into the lives of everyone around her. She was an incredible wife, mother, friend, sister, daughter, and partner.

The Fletcher family is deeply grateful for the tremendous outpouring of love and support that surrounded Carolyn throughout her illness and in her final days. The messages, meals, deliveries, visits, friendship, compassion, and countless acts of kindness from family, friends, and the Vernon community have meant more than words can express.

One of Carolyn’s greatest legacies is a six-part documentary series she created in 2025, after experiencing the healing power of her own garden. Inspired by the refuge and recovery she found among her plants, Carolyn applied to Telus Storyhive and received a grant to bring the project to life.

The series features local gardeners, including Carolyn, who see their gardens as places to heal, find inspiration and solace, and recharge while facing challenges and darkness. Carolyn spent much of her own recovery doing exactly that. Through The Garden Within, she created a platform for others to share their stories of transformation, healing, and personal growth—a gift that will continue beyond her lifetime.

Carolyn was also a passionate supporter of the People’s Place Garden Tour fundraiser each spring. In her honour, Carolyn’s family encourages those who wish to remember Carolyn to support this wonderful cause and help carry forward something she cared deeply about.

Carolyn lived a life filled with creativity, adventure, love, family, friendship, and an enduring connection to the natural world. She created beauty wherever she went, gave generously of herself, and found joy in nurturing both people and the world around her.

Her garden will continue to grow. Her artistry will continue to inspire. And the love she gave so freely will remain in the hearts of all who knew her.

She will be profoundly missed and forever loved.

Arrangements entrusted to

Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-558-0866

Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services: