Mel Styles

After living my first nineteen years in Prince George, in 1967 I went to Simon Fraser University to pursue a BA of Economics/Commerce.  That Fall, I had the extremely life-changing good fortune of meeting Donna, the love of my life.  We married in July 1971.  The first day we met, we both expressed an interest in travelling to Asia.  We planned an epic year-long, around-the-world journey in 1973, beginning in Tokyo on our second wedding anniversary.  Most of our time was spent in Southeast Asia.  Going overland from Calcutta to Istanbul was definitely an adventure.

Once home, I pursued a career as a teacher.  Twenty years (1976-1996) as a teacher/Vice Principal in all four Armstrong schools.  For four of those years, I taught Canadian children for the Department of National Defence in Belgium.  From 1996-2006, I was a Principal in four Salmon Arm area schools.  I greatly enjoyed my career and all aspects of working with staff, students, and parents.

After retiring in 2006, Donna and I taught English at a university in South Korea for a year, then once again put on our backpacks and travelled around the world for a second time.  This trip included crossing from Beijing to Moscow on the Trans-Siberian Railway.

I (we) have an incredible immediate family.  In Salmon Arm, son Geoff and wife Emily (Shaw), grandchildren Grayson and Julianne.  In Calgary, daughter Melanie and husband Sean Dawson, grandchildren Asher and Sylas.  Words like outstanding, stellar, positive, wholesome and worldly accurately describe them.  Very heart-warming and life-enriching.

Friendships.  In Malaysia in 1973, we met and became very close to an Indian Malaysian family.  Over fifty years and five generations later, we are still very near and dear with them.  In Armstrong, in 1976, we met our ‘extended’ Canadian family, and have greatly enjoyed unlimited awesome times with them.  Words fail to describe the bonds, memories and experiences we have had together.

Donna and I were very fortunate that we both enjoyed being fit and active, and to travel internationally.  Downhill and cross-country skiing, canoeing, fishing and camping.  Lots of cycle trips in Europe and many major hikes in the Rockies, Kananaskis, South America and Europe.  We travelled extensively in about eighty countries.

In recent years when people casually asked how I’m doing, my go-to response was that I would be a fool to complain.

In February of 2026, while in Thailand, I was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.   I will be leaving this world peacefully and by choice, surrounded by my immediate family. I am grateful for the gift of dignity that MAID (Medical Assistance In Dying) is providing myself and my family.

There comes a time, and my time has come. I wish you all health, happiness, and love in your remaining time.

As requested by Mel, there will not be a formal celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, we encourage you to donate to Haugan Medical Clinic in Armstrong, or the North Okanagan Hospice Society in Vernon. We are profoundly grateful to Dr. JP Viljion and the staff at Hospice House for their heartfelt care, which has eased our journey through this difficult time.

Arrangements entrusted to

Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-546-7237

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