Tribute

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our beautiful daughter Jody Starter on October 16th. 2015.

Jody was born in Cowichan District hospital in Duncan. Her battle with Crohn’s Disease from the age of fifteen did hinder her dream of attending Scotsdale, Arizona to become an Interior Designer but her strength and determination did allow her to fulfill some of her dreams. Sharing an apartment with her sister in Victoria she attended Design School for a year and from there was employed at an Interior Design Company in Oak Bay, Victoria for a time. She also spent one year at Sprott Shaw College studying secretarial and accounting courses. Jody applied her accounting skills at Lynn’s Vitamin Gallery health food for four years after returning to her hometown of Duncan. From a young age, Jody’s love of animals was apparent. No effort was too great when it came to saving an injured animal found on the roadside. As a young woman she somehow talked us (parents) into allowing her to have a horse named Frosty Bar on our one acre of land. That was the beginning of a life filled with equine species.  In later years her passion for adopting rescue animals resulted in many four legged beasties residing at her and Josh’s farm including dogs, cats, goats and blind cows. The eight horses that still reside at the farm were never cared for better. Jody learned the ancient craft of Farriering (equine hoof care) and also promoted Natural Horsemanship involving holistic care of her animals and did all she could to spread the word. She was an outdoors type of gal, enjoying annual camping trips to Rathtrevor Beach and Tofino with her family, and at least two trips a year for skiing on Mt. Washington.

Jody’s ultimate passion were her children…her love for her children knew no barriers, her love knew no law, no pity, it dared all things and crushed down remorselessly all that stood in its path.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 18 years, Josh Crawford, her two beloved children Aydan Robert Crawford-Starter and Jordanna Grace Crawford-Starter, her sister Penny Hender (Rod) and her mother and father Lynn and Robert Starter, her in-laws Ann and Bob Crawford, her Great Aunt Etta Boyd, ‘auntie’ Joan (McKee) and her ‘auntie’ Fil and ‘uncle’ Paul (Wiltse), four loving nieces, Jody Hender, her name sake, Emma Hender, Danna Manuel and Nadya Crawford, her extended family and many, many friends.

A heartfelt thanks to Josh and his mother Ann Crawford. Because of their care Jody’s wishes to remain at home until the end were fulfilled.

A light from our lives has gone

A voice we loved is stilled

A place is vacant in our hearts

That never can be filled.

Addio mio angelo

H.W. Wallace Cremation and  Burial Centre, 5285 Polkey Road, Duncan

Private family viewing on Sunday, October 18th  from 11:00 am – 12 noon.

Public viewing from 12:00 – 3:00 PM

A Celebration of Life honoring Jody will be on November 1st at 1:00 P at 4388 Webdon Road, left off Old Lake Cowichan road, first left off Riverbottom road.

In memory of Jody and in lieu of flowers a donation may be sent to any Animal Support Group of your choice.