November 23, 1946 - May 23, 2024
In Loving Memory ~
Carol Lynn Van Balkom (Brown) passed away peacefully on May 23, 2024, with her family by her side. Carol was born November 23, 1946, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, to Donna and Carmen (Bucky) Brown (deceased).
She was raised in both Niagara Falls and Queenston, Ontario, where she was joined by her brother Douglas Martin (Marty) Brown. From an early age, Carol was interested in dance and waterskiing. At age 14, Carol was the director of Queenston Brockettes Majorette Corp. As a teenager, she competed in several beauty contests including Miss Canada.
In 1969, Carol left everything behind and moved to North Vancouver to join her parents and brother. It was there she met and married Robert (Bob) Van Balkom in October 1970. Later, they moved to Port Coquitlam, where their daughter Michelle was born in 1976, joined by their son Scott in 1977.
While living in Port Coquitlam, the family joined Mary Hill Baptist Church where Carol discovered her lifelong passion - being involved with youth. For the next 35 years, both in Port Coquitlam and later in Summerland where they had moved in 1996, she was heavily involved in the following, where she touched the hearts and lives of innumerable young people and their families:
° In home daycare both, in Port Coquitlam and Summerland
° Girls Club at both Mary Hill Baptist Church and Summerland Baptist Church
° Youth 10-pin bowling in New Westminster and Penticton, BC
° Tournament Director - Port Coquitlam Minor Softball, and President - Summerland Girls Softball
Carol was thrilled when Michelle and Scott found their loving partners. Michelle married Julius Anton Nicholson in 2001 and Scott wed Joscelyne Fonseca in 2022. In recent years, Carol and Bob have been cruising the world with friends and family.
Carol and her family would like to thank Dr. Majorie Krabbie, Dr. Evan Head, the South Okanagan Kidney Foundation and Moog & Friends Hospice House for all of their support.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on July 13, 2024, at the Summerland Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Moog & Friends Hospice House.
Condolences may be left at providencefuneralhomes.com
(250-494-7752).
Service Details
11:00 AM