Many WAVLI member will have already heard this news via text message, Facebook, phone call, or in person.
It is with a sense of great professional and personal loss that I let WAVLI members know that, after a brief, valiant fight with cancer, Leona Parr-Hamel has passed away.
Leona was a pillar in the Vancouver Interpreting and Deaf communities.
My last professional discussion with Leona showed her depth of caring for this profession; a direct quote “For WAVLI, I would be willing to do just about anything”. And that is what we have seen Leona do time and again. She is already missed!!
The many comments from her family and friends have been tied to Leona’s laugh, her infectious sense of fun, and her supportiveness to all those she met.
Further information is coming out via a Facebook page; some of that information is below:
“We want to let everyone know that there will be a service to honour Leona, we expect do it very early in January. Exact date not yet decided, and other details need to be worked out (where, time, etc). We will post info here over the next few days to let everyone know.
Thank you for your patience. For now, if you… have cards, please follow the info below to take them to VCC, WBP or WID…….. Folks can drop off anything they wish at the VCC Broadway campus (former King Edward campus). Pls use the main entry off Broadway. Signs will then lead you to the Interpreting Services office.”
Wishing you all peace in your hearts as we come to terms with loss at a time of celebration. ~Jessica Siegers, WAVLI President
