Georgina Helen Reay
October 13, 1937 - September 22, 2024
In Loving Memory
Georgina Helen Reay
Georgina slipped away from us on September 22, 2024.
Georgina was born in North Vancouver on October 13, 1937. She married Marvin (Swede) Reay in 1961. She graduated with her teaching degree from the University of British Columbia, moving to Squamish for her first teaching position. She and Swede later moved to Armstrong BC, where they lived for many years. Georgina and Swede were members of the Armstrong Kinsmen Club.
Georgina was a much-loved Home Economics teacher at AL Fortune Secondary School for 35 years. She was a beautiful seamstress, sewing wedding dresses for family and friends. After Swede died, Georgina and her daughter, Karen, moved to Vernon. Karen and Georgina went on many adventures, including cruises and a cross-Canada motorhome trip. Georgina loved her dogs who enjoyed these adventures with them. During the school year, she would spend several months with Gayle and her family, volunteering at Cedars Christian School in Prince George, where her three grandchildren attended, and continued her legacy of teaching high school students to sew.
Georgina was a wonderful mom and grandmother. Her grandchildren called her Nanny, and she built many beautiful memories with them, including boogie-boarding in Maui at the age of 72.
Georgina lived with dementia for the last few years of her life, eventually moving into a long-term care community.
She will continue to be in the hearts of her children, Karen and Gayle as well as her son-in-law Howard, grandchildren Jacob (Miranda), Kristin (Alex), Thomas (Alicia) and sweet great-grandboys Felix and Lucas.
At Georgina’s request, there will no funeral.
Arrangements entrusted to
Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-766-4400
Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services:
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Comments: 39
I am very sorry for your loss. I remember Georgina from the 1980’s in Armstrong..a lovely talented kind lady
Sorry to hear about Mrs Reays passing. She taught me sewing in highschool and now because of her I now have my own sewing business in maple creek Saskatchewan, where I do alterations of ash kinds including grass dresses and wedding dresses…. Are week be deeply missed.. my condolences to your family ❣️
Mrs. Reay was an exceptional woman, and I have many wonderful memories of her. She will be missed by many. Deepest sympathies to the family.
Mrs Reay will alway live in my heart. She taught me many things including the importance of measuring right and finishing properly. I still use a pattern from the early 70’s bought for a carryall project in her Home Ec class. Fondly remembered. Condolences to her family.
I have a fun story. When I was teaching grade one in Enderby and Georgina was teaching home ec she wanted me to give her class a lesson about young children so we switched classes. When I returned the kids asked what I had done so I told them I was with grade ten students. One grade oner said,” So that’s why they have such a tall teacher”. She got quite a kick out of that!
I know how popular Georgina was with her students. A lovely lady.
I have a fun story. When I was teaching grade one in Enderby and Georgina was teaching home ec she wanted me to give her class a lesson about young children so we switched classes. When I returned the kids asked what I had done so I told them I was with grade ten students. One grade oner said,” So that’s why they have such a tall teacher”. She got quite a kick out of that!
I know how popular Georgina was with her students. A lovely lady.
RIP Mrs. Reay! Thank you for teaching me to sew, you had so much patience and such a caring heart.
RIP Mrs. Reay! Thank you for teaching me to sew, you had so much patience and such a caring heart.
I had Mrs. Reay as my Home-Ec teacher and loved her💞. To me she was the bright shining light at our school. She had an amazing sense of humour, such a kind heart, and she was just such a lady. When I struggled with sewing she would always help me and sometimes do it for me as I watched and learned. I’m sorry for the passing of your mom. But be proud as you had an awesome mom!! My sincere condolences.
She was my teacher in sewing class learned alot .Alot of memories there Condolences to the family 💐 🌹 🌸 🏵
I have many fond memories of Mrs Raey from and often comment that her clsss was probably to only one I really paid attention in.
When I was in grade 10 the apartment building I was living in burnt to the ground, I had brought home my sewing project which was a fancy dress that only needed to have the hem hand sewn and I would be completed.
I went to school and explain to Mrs Raey what happened and she said bring the dress in and she would mark it anyways.
We took the very Smokey dress out to the parking lot and she placed my dress on the stand and looked it over and gave me an “A” for all my hard work. We walked over to the dumpster when we were done and threw my dress away. I remember that day like it was yesterday and that would have been in 1988/89. May she rest in peace I’m sure she will be greatly missed by so many lots of love and condolences to u all ❤️
I remember your mom and dad well. Your mom was often a judge at dress review for the Armstrong sewing club which I was a member of. I still remember her compliments on my garments and presentation. Your mom taught the babysitting course in Armstrong for the Kinsmen. I was one of her many students. Your mom was always kind and was never without a smile.
I was one of “Mrs Reay’s” first students at AL Fortune and she encouraged my love of sewing so much that I am a seamstress (hence the email address) to this day! Not only a beautiful lady but a beautiful person, as well. We all loved her-so gentle but such a great teacher. My condolences to all the family.
Mrs Reay was created so many amazing memories for us at AL Fortune.
Many grown adults still have their stuffed animals (mine was an elephant), and pencil cases sewn in her class.
She even taught my Mom before me 🙂
I’m thankful to have had the privilege to be her student. As news travels of her passing, I see my social media light up with her picture, as dozens and dozens of her students remember her. She clearly made an impact on so many! Sincere condolences to all of your family,
Sherie
I remember Mrs. Reay very fondly. She was my homeroom teacher in grade 8 as well as my home ec. Teacher. She was very disappointed that she couldn’t give me the sewing reward at the end of grade 8. As my sewing was very good but I couldn’t write a test if my life depended on it. Still can’t. But she was fun and caring and was friendly with me throughout high school. So sorry for your loss.
Mrs. Reay was my home economics and English teacher at ALF 1993-1994. She was an excellent teacher who I’ve spoken of fondly to many people overthe years. Condolences to her family.
Mrs. Wray was my grade 8 English teacher as well as my sewing teacher. My daughter is now in grade 7 at AL Fortune in Mrs. Wray’s old classroom. She has come up in many conversations over the years and has always been remembered very fondly. I remember all students in my classes liking and respecting Mrs. Wray. RIP Mrs. Wray.
Mrs Ray was the best teacher. I loved her class( sewing of course). I still love sewing to this day. I learn so much and had fun doing it. Sorry for your loss.
I have fond memories of one of my top of the list favorite teachers. RIP Mrs. Raey.
Mrs Reay made a difference in my life. My sincerest condolences. She was my teacher for high school. Blessings.
Mrs Reay was our homeroom teacher for years as well as our sewing teacher at ALFortune in Enderby. We were rowdy and boisterous especially after a weekend and she would allow our energy in the classroom as long as the door was closed and didn’t disrupt the other classes…which I’m sure it did. We loved her cheerfulness and passion she had for sewing. She will be missed but those great memories will go on…😊♥️
Karen, my deepest sympathies on the loss of your mother.
Barb Schwebbach
She was a great teacher at AL Fortune, loved being in her class, condolences, love, hugs and prayers to all.
Your Mom. Our dear Mrs Reay!
She taught us sooo much. Not only sewing , cooking and grade 10 English. , she taught us to be ladies and to respect ourselves and others. Yes baking powder biscuits are absolute hockey pucks without the baking soda!!! Sooo we failed that day!! But she was the most gracious human… always that loving smile and Do it again! You will miss your Mom for sure. But God has taken her to a much better place !
Sending my condolences to the family. She was a wonderful teacher, who fed my love of sewing. I will always remember her with fondness.
My most sincere condolences on the loss of your very special Mom, Nanny & Aunt. “Mrs. Reay” was by far my most favourite teacher. Kind, caring, funny and so much patience. May her soul rest in peace!
Regards, Bonnie Lundquist
Mrs. Reay was one of my favourite teachers and such an inspiration. Sewing classes were my favourite and I’ve continued sewing throughout the years. She touched the lives of so many people.
So sorry for your loss Karen. Your mom was a lovely lady. She shall be missed.💕
Really appreciated Mrs.Reay in high school. She was always happy, encouraging, and willing to help. Such a kind person. I was her worst student and yet she relentlessly stuck with me and taught me keep going.
Mrs. Reay , I was blessed to have her as a teacher at A.L. Fortune, what a wonderful person, caring, patient, kind and I go back to patient because of my sewing abilities. My memories go back to our wonderful gingham aprons to our stuff animals and the pain staking suit jacket…..rest in peace Mrs. Reay, you will be missed, condolences to her family.
So sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs Reay. (That is how I knew her over 50 years ago as a student at A. L. Fortune High School in Enderby. ) She was a wonderful teacher. Sincere condolences to her family.
Dear Family:
Mrs. Reay was my Home Economics Instructor from Grades 8 through 10 at A.L. Fortune High School in Enderby, B.C. Her kindness, caring and thoughtfulness was an example for all of those whose lives shared the path with hers of which I was one fortunate to be. Her demeanor was always calm and although she was the teacher, she always had a way of making us feel that each of us was worthy of our opinions, questions and guidance. I always looked forward to Home-Ec class because of her. She made classes interesting and was always so helpful. As a Guidance Counselor she had an uncanny sense for the direction that might best suit us in the post-graduation years. I will always remember her with respect and gratitude.
Thank you, Mrs. Reay, for everything you did for me. To the family, I am so sorry for your loss and I hope that the memories you have bring you great measure of comfort.
Our condolences Karen and family. Enjoy all your memories.
Valerie & Milton Miller
Our condolences Karen and family. Enjoy all your memories.
Valerie & Milton Miller
One of my favourite teachers in high school at Al Fortune.Send my condolences to all her family .
Sincere condolences to the Family.
Appreciated Georgina as a member of the community and as a patient. Never a dull moment.
Mrs. Reay was a favourite teacher to many and that included me. She certainly passed on sewing skills to me which I have used to this day. Condolences to the family.
So sorry to hear of Mrs. Reay’s passing. She was my Home Ec teacher in MV Beattie and a lovely person. My condolences to the family.
Teresa
Goodbye Dear Friend, My Fellow Traveler. You represented everything good about being a teacher, about making A.L.Fortune a caring place where so many of us chose to stay, and grow, and thrive. A Lady, an Example, and (unknown to many) a crafty card shark and phantom jokester. Your students were so lucky to have you as their teacher. We were so lucky to have you as our colleague and our friend. You truly made our world a better place. A life well lived. Rest Easy, My Dear Friend.