Eunice Noreen Standish (nee Flumerfelt) passed away peacefully with daughters at her side in Vancouver General Hospital on March 19, 2011. She was predeceased by her devoted husband, George Thomas (Stamatis) Standish in 1980 and brother, Bruce Flumerfelt.   In her last hours, she was accompanied by many of her closest loved ones who shared tears and memories.  Noreen was born in New Westminster, B.C. on June 28, 1921.   As a young woman she graduated from Normal School in Vancouver. Her teaching career began when she was 19 in a one-room school house in Dunster, B.C., and she retired from Shaughnessey Elementary School in 1982.  After retirement, Noreen dedicated her time to continued work and play in her community.  Not only did she volunteer at the Vancouver Planetarium, Expo ’86, and Brock House, she also taught English to new Canadians and served as president of the Belmont Strata Council.  Much of her leisure time was spent playing bridge and golf with her many good friends at Arbutus Village and the Musqueam Golf Club. Her passion for shopping was only exceeded by her love for travelling the world!  Along with her love of nature, she was an avid patron of the arts.  She supported the Arts Club Theatre, and enjoyed her local book club, opera, and Music in the Mornings, to name only a few.  Noreen loved life and was an optimist at heart, but above all she valued her friendships. At the end, she fought the good fight with courage and surrendered like the lady she was.  Her memory is cherished by her beloved daughters, Diane (Gifford), Vicki (McLaren), and Georgia (Standish), grandchildren, Chris, Deborah, Evan and Noelle, and her great grandchildren, Carson, Vanessa, Myles (Gifford), and Natasha and Ryley (Krauss) and extended Standish and Cuthill families.  A memorial service will be held at Canadian Memorial United Church 1825 W. 16th Ave. Vancouver, on April 25 at 1:30 pm with a reception to follow in the Great Hall of the church’s Centre for Peace.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to Covenant House, Vancouver and/or the Salvation Army.
Rest peacefully, Mum, we will love you always