(nee Gwen Turvey)
Kory (Regan) Lewis was born in Chilliwack, BC March 12, 1921 to Arthur and Gladys Turvey. Passed into the presence of her Lord October 16, 2012 at Victoria General Hospital. Kory was known in Chilliwack by her birth name (Gwen) and received all her elementary and high school education there. She was very active in all aspects of school life as well as at First Baptist Church where she participated in or led children’s choirs and played piano. She was also active in Youth for Christ. Her family’s cottage at Cultus Lake became the focus for her love of swimming and a place to nurture her many friendships. In the latter years of her life she made an annual summer trek back to the lake with a small group of grade one friends who had kept touch with each other all through the years. Her early teaching career was interrupted by World War II so she enlisted in the Women’s Division of the RCAF, serving on air bases from one end of Canada to the other. Her long teaching career included schools at Silverdale, Chilliwack, Penticton, Montreal, Victoria and Gibsons, returning often to Chilliwack to visit and assist her parents before they passed away. Kory was very active in the ministries of Canadian Baptists of Western Canada through her local church, camping ministries and serving on various boards including Carey Theological College. She served on the boards of the BCTF, Greater Victoria Teacher’s Association, Retired Teacher’s Association, Victoria Chamber of Commerce and Saanich Police Board. In retirement she was a “volunteer extraordinaire”.
Kory was predeceased by her parents, brother Lyle Turvey (Millicent), niece Marilyn Penner, husband of 17 years Dr. Harold Lewis and namesake Kory Marshall. Survived by great-niece Dawn (Bob) Arksey of Abbotsford, great-nephew Rory Slater of Richmond, great-great niece Lorna Franzen (Matt) and her sons Preston, Tyrin and Carter of Abbotsford. Also cousins in England and Australia, several “adopted” families and the congregation of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Victoria where she had been a faithful member for over 40 years.
A Memorial service will be held Friday, November 2, 2012 at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 2121 Cedar Hill Crossroads, Victoria at 1:30 pm with reception following. Memorial gifts may be given to The Mustard Seed, 625 Queens Avenue, Victoria, BC or to Emmanuel Baptist Church, designated for Canadian Baptist Ministries.