Burnice (Bunny) Stephen

Bunny passed away peacefully at Royal Columbian Hospital where she was born 78 years ago. She was predeceased by her parents, Mildred and Red McIlvanie and by her sister Carol Boudreau in 2018. Her husband of 44 years, Doug, passed away in 2015. Bunny is survived by her sister Linda Shuto (Michael), nephew Mark Ponting (Nancy), nieces Lori Sephton (Mike), Leah Ponting, and Cari Warkentin (Bert) and many great nieces and nephews as well as Doug's daughter, Pam Masse (Ray).

Bunny was raised in New Westminster and graduated from Lester Pearson High School and the UBC Faculty of Education. She taught for 35 years in the Coquitlam school district and loved her career, colleagues and primary children. After retirement in 1996, Bunny and Doug travelled the world, spent winters in Maui (her Island in the Sun) and summers on their beloved boat, Kerkyra.

We will remember Bunny for her zest for life, her feisty spirit, and the pleasure she found in good wine, good food, good company and a good laugh. She was generous, loyal and thoughtful of the many friends and family she gathered to her. She had a wonderful life--well lived, well loved.

Since 2013, Bunny struggled against a degenerative neurological disorder with her trademark determination and she bore the ensuing disabilities with dignity and grace--an inspiration to all. We are grateful to her wonderful caregivers Amy, Maria and Christina for their loving care and to Simplified Home Care for their support.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 16 at 2:00pm at Burquitlam Funeral Home, 625 North Road Coquitlam. In lieu of flowers please donate to Canuck Place Children's Hospice.