Tribute

It is with deep sorrow we announce the death of Jyl Lesley Chegwin on June 15, 2014 at her residence at Cawston, B.C.  Jyl was born on September 14, 1962 in Swan River, MB to loving parents Jim and Mearle (Diamond) Chegwin, mixed farmers in the Big Woody district. She did her schooling in the valley, was active in 4H, curling, gymnastics, and the Swan Valley School Band. She established many close friendships with a core group of about 10 girl-friends and an interesting string of boyfriends.

Jyl went on to Olds College, AB where she took a 2 year program in horticulture. Her professional life was based on agriculture with work for BC Forestry Services and then with her life centering around Cloverdale Produce Farms and Tim Singh, she became a founding member of the Fraser Valley Direct Marketing Association. Circle Farm Tours also took much of her time and then, realizing the importance of farm diversification, she became a founding director of the BC Agri Tourism Alliance (BCATA). She worked teaching best practices and oversaw the provincial highway signs program to indicate Agri-tourism. She became a vocal member and supporter of the North American Farmer’s Direct Marketing Assoc. (NAFDMA). Jyl had a gift for speaking to farmers and leading them into new farm practices through diversifying their income streams. Jyl became one of the first auditors for the Environmental Farm Plan and she was respected in these organizations because she was a farmer, intelligent and very charming too. Jyl helped to initiate the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Snack program. This program provides snacks of locally grown fruits and vegetables to school across BC. Jyl’s final off vineyard professional years were with Terra Links/Roddicks managing the distribution of farm supplies and selling seed to large scale farmers.

Jyl considered her home in New Westminster BC and Thee VineGlass Winery and Renewal Resort one of her greatest professional and personal achievements. She and Roger have dreamed, planned, and built a resort area, vineyard and winery with much persistence and hard work. They have been joined in this effort by amazing friends who consider it a pleasure to come and do a hard days work followed by great wine and pizza.

Sons, Clayton and Kai were uppermost in Jyl’s thoughts. She planned her life around their activities, sports, and celebrated their every achievement. She threw the best birthday parties for them with food, fun and an unlimited amount of guests. Jyl’s love for her boys was without limit or reservation.

Roger brought his family into Jyl’s circle with parents Gerry and Lynda, brothers Bert, David, Norman, sisters Joanne and Karen as well as their spouses and many children. But for Jyl, his children Dionne and Gerry were most important and she welcomed them into her life with open arms. A year and a half ago, Dionne and Darren made Roger and Jyl grandparents, a role she was more than happy to fulfill. Gerry has been a wonderful extra son doting on Jyl’s every wish.

Her gifts of friendship, love and generosity meant know one was turned away from Jyl’s table. Her pies are legendary! Good food, fun and crokinole have again made Jyl’s circle of friends grow. Jyl could walk into a crowd of people knowing no one and leave as a friend to all. Jyl gave of herself freely to everyone and accomplished so much after her diagnosis. Her children all are on their career paths, she met Kai and Clay’s significant others, traveled to Italy one more time, drank the wine from the fruit they grew, had paying guests in the suites they developed and built. Jyl had one unfulfilled dream and that was to ride an elephant. Jyl will finally rest in an elephant shaped urn and be at peace.

Jyl leaves Roger Hol to cherish her memory, sons Clayton and Kai Singh, sisters Heather (Tom) Orlukiewicz and Lyn Crane (Hammie Hamilton), brothers Ross (Keta Lehto) and Cal Chegwin, Step-children, Gerry and Dionne (Darren Hart), granddaughter, Kaliyah, Uncle Bill Chegwin, Marlene and Amanda Primrose, Gerry Sr. and Lynda Hol and extended family.

Jyl struggled with brain cancer and her determined vision was to find a cure. We invite you to make a donation to “Quest for the Cure” through CIBC 07560 – 0064130 or Janice at the VineGlass 778-809-6717.

Bring a crokinole board if you have one. See you on Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 2:00 at the VineGlass. Interment of Jyl’s ashes will take place at Fairdale Cemetery in Big Woody, Swan River, MB Aug 9 2014. Details will follow.

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com