Carolene Elizabeth (Loewen) Sparling

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Carolene Elizabeth Sparling born October 10, 1946 in Didsbury Alberta, died October 23, 2023 in Campbell River, BC.

A celebration of life is planned for July 6, 2024 at Christian Life Fellowship in Campbell River.  An announcement will be made on the church website regarding the time of the service two weeks before July 6th. 

Carolene grew up on a farm near Didsbury Alberta and attended the University of Alberta where she studied physiotherapy and shifted to education.  After teaching for a few years she became an accounting student at Crown Zellerbach in Vancouver.  She met her husband, Steve, in Vancouver where they were married in December 1975.  Together they lived in a variety of places where she always was able to find work as a bookkeeper.  Her children were brought up in Black Creek and Campbell River.  Recently, after four years in residence at the school Steve taught at on Shawnigan Lake, they bought a small place in Black Creek and took up residence in June where she transformed the garden and, in August, entertained the grandchildren.

Carolene was an ardent gardener, a talented seamstress and, wherever she lived, created pleasing outdoor spaces and always re-made the curtains.  Recently she started the sewing program at the school where they were working and living.  She scoured the second hand stores in Victoria and Duncan for sewing machines and fabric; repairing the machines when she could.  Carolene recruited more teachers and even coached the design teacher in sewing.

Carolene lived her deep faith and passed it along to her children.  Wherever she went she had a way of mentoring younger women. She made meaningful connections wherever she lived:  Vancouver; Fort St. John; Comox; Black Creek; England; Campbell River; Wales; and Shawnigan Lake.   

Carolene was predeceased by her father Obram, her mother Betty and her brother Richard.  She is survived by brothers Dave and Jim; her children Sarah (Isaac), David (Adrienne) and Matthew (Madeleine) ; her six grandchildren Joshua, Zyanna, Cora, Alethea, Melanie and Jeremiah.

During Carolene’s last few years she was devoted to her grandchildren, gardening and sewing.  

If you wish, in lieu of flowers please donate to the BC Cancer Foundation to support Pancreatic Cancer Research at https://bccancerfoundation.com/CaroleneSparling

In Memory of Carolene Elizabeth Sparling - BC Cancer Foundation or donate by mail to: BC Cancer Foundation, 150-686 W. Broadway, Vancouver, B.C., V5Z 1G1 or call 1-888-906-2873.