It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing (“popped her clogs,” as she would say) of our mother, Thelma Robb. She passed away peacefully at the age of 93.

Thelma was born and raised in Leeds, England, where she married Norman Wright in 1953. They immigrated to Vancouver in 1955. Arriving with very little, they managed, with the help of friends, to build a new life and family in Canada. In the years that followed, Thelma’s sister, Pauline, and their parents, Horace and Ada Cudworth, also immigrated to Canada, while her brother, Jack, remained in England.

Thelma and Norman were very social people. Thelma especially enjoyed hosting get-togethers for friends and family during which they would perform hilarious skits, complete with outrageous costumes, that had everyone in stitches. She and Norman also hosted bus tours to Reno, entertaining delighted passengers along the way. Her quick wit and outgoing nature made her many lifelong friends

Ballroom dancing was a big passion and she was good at it, receiving many awards and trophies to prove it. She had many other interests including travelling by cruise ship to exotic places, browsing thrift shops for treasures, and playing pool and darts.

She worked as a bookkeeper for Picos Menswear in Burnaby and Jack Fraser’s Menswear in Surrey. Later, she and Norman embarked on an exciting new chapter as business owners, opening Wright Time Jewellers in Burnaby, and later the Ye Old Fireside Inn pub in New Westminster. This perfectly suited both her entrepreneurial spirit and social nature. Thelma had a strong work ethic and left a lasting impression on colleagues and customers alike. They eventually retired in the beautiful community of Ladysmith, BC.

After Norman’s passing in 1996, Thelma found love and companionship again with Ron Robb, a long-time widowed friend whose kindness, humor, and gentle spirit brought joy into her life. They married in 2005 and shared many happy years until Ron’s passing in 2015. Thelma remained on Vancouver Island following his death, before returning to the Lower Mainland to be closer to her family.

Thelma is lovingly remembered by her three children, Chris Wright (Cathy), David Wright, and Julie Hansen (Steve); her sister, Pauline Thomas; her grandchildren, Andrew, Holly, and Michael; and her nieces, Vanessa, Patricia, Rebecca and Sarah.

A private family gathering will be held at a later date to honour and celebrate her remarkable life.