Glynis Dayman's indomitable spirit was truly palpable at her Celebration of Life at Interlakes Hall on June 29.
Raised in Cumberland, Glynis hunted and fished, and revelled in all the peace and beauty that Comox Lake has to offer. In 1990, she, her husband and three daughters moved here to a Fawn Creek area farm, where she was able to fully express her love of animals.
Life was pretty idyllic until 2003 when she was diagnosed with leukemia, and given only a few months to live. But that did not stop her, nor even slow her down.
Interspersed with medical treatments, Glynis lived on, with her beaming smile and shining faith. An Interlakes Cattlebelle, who had been a 4-H mother, nurse's aide and office administrator for the Emissaries, Glynis was admired by all who knew her.
Interlakes Hall was full to capacity when master of ceremonies Pete Bonter opened with a prayer and a declaration that, although Glynis had passed away June 8 at the age of 62, her spirit lived on.
Ginny Alexander read a prayer and poems, and led the singing of "The Old Rugged Cross" and "How Great Thou Art."
Jen Turner, who grew up with Glynis' three daughters, travelled from Courtenay to give a beautifully-worded eulogy; and several other friends spoke of treasured memories and Glynis' remarkable spirit.
On the back of the memorial leaflet was a poem, Cumberland Basketball, written in 2011 by, and about Glynis herself, in which she challenges the oncologists and their doomsday forecasts. It is a beautiful poem, one which must bring hope to anyone facing a health crisis.
The closing song, "My Way," with its poignantly relevant words, was nothing short of an epitaph for Glynis, who defied the odds and did it her way.