Vanessa Compton, our friend, colleague and one of eight founders of CCSN, passed away in Perth, Ontario, after a short battle with later stage pancreatic cancer.
Vanessa wanted to celebrate her life with family and friends while still living to feel “surrounded by love,” so everyone was invited to the Perth & Smith Fall’s District Hospital for tea, coffee, and snacks. Since Vanessa loved flowers, guests brought wild flowers and cut flowers from their gardens. Vanessa died a few days later.
After her death, another celebration of Vanessa’s life was held at St. Paul’s United Church Fellowship Hall on September 28, with Vanessa’s labyrinth set up for walks and reflection. This labyrinth was portable, and fit into the trunk of Vanessa’s car, and Vanessa freely shared its spiritual and healing powers wherever needed.
Vanessa had an incredible ability to create an aesthetic – be it a birthday outfit, with a brilliant pink boa, a potato stamp Christmas card, a delicate piece of jewellery, or a knitted woolen Minotaur. Some of her keepsakes to honour her creativity were on display at her celebration of life, and those attending were asked to bring a meaningful memory of Vanessa to share with others.
She was an artist and a catalyst for creative thought and activity, and the world is dimmer without her in our midst.