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January 28, 1970 - October 2, 2024

Zoe Robertson Sikora, born January 28, 1970 in New Westminster, British Columbia, died October 2, 2024 at Lady Minto Hospital on Saltspring Island.

Zoe grew up in the northern Fraser Valley communities of Mc Connell Creek and Hatzic, and spent a year as an exchange student in Belgium, before graduating from Mission Senior Secondary School in 1989. She attended the University of Victoria, where she graduated with a BA, double majoring in English and History, in 1993. Following graduation, Zoe worked as an Education Assistant with the Greater Victoria School district until 2000, when she relocated to Los Angeles, California. Zoe obtained an MA in Special Education from Point Loma Nazarene University in 2004, and worked for several years as a Special Education Teacher with the Ahambra and Little Rock High Schools.

While in California, Zoe met her future husband James; they married in 2005 and had two daughters, Leila in 2007 and Anezka in 2008. Zoe returned to Canada with her family in 2010, working as a Special Education Teacher for eight years with the Haida Gwaii School District, until she and James and the girls moved down to Saltspring Island.

She worked with the Gulf Islands School District as a Special Education Teacher from 2018 until her illness intervened. Zoe was passionate about her teaching career, and leaves behind her countless former students whose lives she touched in so many ways.

Zoe's family meant the world to her, and she was immensely proud of her two daughters and their many accomplishments. During their years on Haida Gwaii, Zoe and James also acted as foster parents, and as a host family for four European exchange students. Magali, Clothilde, Anna and Fer became a part of the family and remained close to Zoe for the rest of her life.

Animals also held a special place in Zoe's heart and household; she leaves behind her dogs Edith and Gerda, numerous cats and chickens, and her prize-winning turkey, Major Tom. Zoe will be remembered for her boundless energy, her passion for political and social justice causes, and for the infectious enthusiasm she brought to every aspect of her life.

In early 2020. Zoe was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. With a bravery and a grace that left her family and friends in awe, she fought a long, difficult battle with this relentless adversary, before ultimately losing that battle this month.

Zoe is survived by her husband, James Sikora, daughters Leila and Anezka, parents Diane and Greg Robertson, aunts Jean Cone and Judy Kennard, and numerous cousins, friends and colleagues.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, 12 October 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the Latter Day Saints Chapel on Vesuvius Bay Road, Saltspring Island. There will be a burial service at a later date on Saturna Island. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish consider a charitable donation to the BC Cancer Research Centre, the Make-A-Wish Canada, or another charity of your choice.

Service Details

Celebration of Life
Saturday, October 12, 2024
2:00 PM
Latter Day Saints Chapel 221 Vesuvius Bay Rd, Salt Spring Island


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