Emily Carr (b. 1871 Victoria, d. 1945) was born in Victoria, the year that British Columbia joined Confederation. Alongside Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, and David Milne, she was one of the foremost Canadian painters of the early 20th century, and perhaps the most original. As one of the few major female artists of that era in North America or Europe, her bold, almost hallucinatory works depict nature as a furious vortex of organic growth. Carr was also a celebrated author; her short story collection Klee Wyck, based on her experiences with Indigenous people, won a Governor General’s Literary Award in 1941.

Lottie Bowron (b. 1879 Barkerville BC, d.1964) was born in the gold rush town of Barkerville and later in life was instrumental in its designation as a historic site. Earlier, though, she held the unique job of Rural Teachers Welfare Officer, a position established after BC was shocked by suicides among young, single women teachers working in isolated locations. She travelled the province to assess the situations of such teachers and help wherever she could. Here in Victoria, she founded the Kumtuks Club, which became the Victoria Business and Professional Women’s Club, and was active in the Local Council of Women.

Nancy Lester (b. 1810, US, d. 1892) and her family were among the first African-American settlers to come to what is now British Columbia in 1858. The Lesters had been active in the anti-slavery movement in Philadelphia and continued their activism when they moved to San Francisco. Increasing racism and discrimination in California led to their joining the exodus north to Victoria with several hundred African-Americans. Nancy Lester joined Sydna Francis, Sarah Pointer, Rebecca Gibbs, and many other African-American women here in forging a new life for themselves and their families in an unfamiliar culture in this new land.

Jane Anne Nesbitt (b. 1844 London England, d. 1897) has a special place in Victoria’s history as one of the women who came here on the Bride Ships. They weren’t mail order brides — their story is more interesting. Jane Saunders, as she was, arrived here knowing no one. She found work as a domestic until she married Samuel Nesbitt, a local baker. Together, they built up a prosperous bakery business, which included the Royal Navy among its customers. When Samuel died, Jane took over the business, which continued to flourish. Her adventurous spirit and business acumen led to a full and fascinating life.

Yvonne Van Ruskenveld

To Yvonne, cemeteries offer a window into the past through the lives of the people buried there—we learn and understand more about our collective past through their individual experiences. In addition to being the chairperson of the Old Cemeteries Society, she is also a member of the Victoria Historical Society and the Victoria Genealogical Society.