It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Inga on the evening of January 20, 2011 at Lions Gate Hospital with her loved ones by her side. During her more than four year journey dealing with ovarian cancer, Inga constantly demonstrated the courage, strength, and grace with which she lived her whole life. Inga’s unshaken faith gave her absolute peace and understanding, and she had made all the preparations necessary to close this chapter of her life without fear or regret. Just as she did in her 43 years, Inga’s passing has inspired us to believe in the power of love and grace, the importance of family, and the need to live with gratitude and patience.  Inga was a wonderful and loving mother to Kristen and Lauren and best friend to husband Chris, with whom she shared 25 wonderful years. Inga lost her sister Sonia and father Helle to cancer in recent years, and she deeply missed their presence in her life. The love she shared with her mother Ellen Hvam, her brother Norm Hvam, and nephew Alexander McGuigan was unwavering, and these relationships meant the world to her.  Chris’ family has been a constant source of support and love over the years, and especially at this difficult time.  Everyone who met or knew Inga instantly knew how blessed she felt to have such a close and loving family.  Inga was always kind and warm, and very generous with her time; she had a glowing smile that lit up any room she entered. Inga was a calming presence to everyone, yet she had a great sense of social responsibility and justice, supporting many worthy causes without fanfare or the need to be recognized. Inga was a special and amazing woman in all her roles: wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend to so many. Her gift to theworld lives on through her beautiful daughters, and through everyone who carries her spirit in their hearts.  Inga made many great friends in her life who will continue to be a source of strength and comfort to her family; the school community of St. Anthony’s in West Vancouver has been especially supportive and giving and the family is forever grateful.Inga graduated from the pharmacy program at UBC in 1990 and truly enjoyed and flourished in that field. She was always friendly and helpful to all the patients she assisted over the years and her expertise was appreciated by her colleagues.  The family would like to thank Dr. Pippa Hawley and Dr. Jennifer Walker, Inga’s home care nurse Catherine Jarvis, as well as all the nurses and staff at the LGH Palliative Care Ward for their kindness and compassion.  A Vigil Prayers and service will be held on Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. at Christ the Redeemer  Catholic Church, 595 West Keith Road, West Vancouver. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday,  January 28, 2011 at Christ the Redeemer.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Gynecological Oncology Group at the BC Cancer Agency would be greatly appreciated.