Thelma Mary Perks Hassen (nee Russell), born on August 21, 1921 in Krugersdorp, S. Africa, died peacefully in Victoria, BC, on February 4, 2016, at age 94. Thelma first arrived in Canada in 1952, having emigrated from Zambia with her husband, Michael Perks and their two small children. As new Canadians they soon came to love Victoria, and in particular Oak Bay, where they always resided. Five years following the loss of Michael, Thelma married Romley Ferguson Hassen of Victoria, with whom she shared eight wonderful years before his passing.
Thelma was a loving wife and mother, a wonderful homemaker, a gracious hostess and a keen golfer and bridge player at Uplands Golf Club. She will be greatly missed and remembered by all for her generosity, her sense of humour, her infectious laughter, her gift for telling a great story, and her natural beauty.
Thelma is survived by two daughters, Helen Elizabeth Hutton of Vancouver and Marilyn Perks of Victoria; stepdaughter, Jane Palin of Victoria; four grandchildren, Tom, Melanie, Matthew and Christopher; three great-grandchildren, four nephews and three nieces.
Heartfelt thanks to all of Thelma’s dedicated caregivers at Parkwood Court.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall’s Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
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Moira Rey
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Taryn To Helen and Marilyn, my deepest condolences to you on the passing of your mother. It will leave a big hole in your lives. May you find comfort in good memories.
Taryn Edwards
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John West Thelma came in to my family’s life upon the Perks arrival in Canada. We were neighbors, Helan a year older than I, Marilyn a year older than my sister Elizabeth. Our Mum and Thelma connected immediately and maintained a close and wonderful friendship until this week.
As a child I recall family picnics, outings in the Packard (which Thelma always pronounced as if it was a title of a remote potentate). She was always elegant and beautiful, as children we were aware of that, and above all kind. After over sixty years, these memories still bring warmth to my heart when I hear her name.
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Jonathan Jepson Thelma’s first husband, Michael Perks, was my uncle. Thelma was a lovely, gracious woman and was a good friend of my family in the UK. Distance made it hard to see Thelma often but I did see her in the UK a number of times, and I stayed for four months with Thelma and Michael in 1968 during my gap year between school and university. During this stay Thelma treated me like I was her son, something I have always admired and been grateful for. I moved to New Zealand 20 years ago and saw Thelma a couple more times as I passed through Canada on my way home to NZ. I had short but lovely stays with her.
I was lucky enough to meet Romley a couple of times when Thelma was married to him. Thelma and Romley made a lovely couple, obviously enjoying their life together to the full.
I send Helen, Marilyn and Jane, and all the other family members, my special thoughts and very best wishes at this sad time. You have lost a very special person but I know Thelma will remain warm and close in your memories.
It’s a great sadness to me because I will be revisiting BC in just six months’ time, but that will be too late to see Thelma again.
Jonathan Jepson, Auckland, New Zealand
Thelma was my aunt, sister to my Dad, Donald Russell. Although we did not see eachother frequently, I always thought of her as elegant, gracious and kind, with a most infectious giggle and a girlishness about her. She was a very special person and lovely aunt to my sister Barbara, my brother David, and myself. We have some very endearing and special memories of her.
Deepest sympathy to our cousins Helen and Marilyn and all the family who will no doubt miss her sorely.