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Joan Creighton
Joan was an original member of the North Shore Dragon Busters and prior to that was a member of Abreast in a Boat since 2001. Originally paddling on the Barnett crew, she transferred to the Deep Cove crew and then transitioned to the North Shore Dragon Busters. She worked incredibly hard on the Abreast in a Boat board as Communications Vice Chair during our 10 Years Abreast Celebration. Her expertise as a board member and chair on several major boards such as the Koerner Foundation, the West Vancouver Library Foundation and the Vancouver Playhouse, to name just a few, was an incredible asset to AIAB during her stint as Communications Chair.
Joan and her husband Dennis "Dear" Creighton travelled extensively together but counted their "Adventure in Oz", during the Australians Abreast Celebration, one of their best experiences. There, at the age of 78, Joan and her team paddled to a 4th place finish among the 75+ teams that participated.
Ever young at heart, with a wicked sense of humour and an adventurous soul, Joan will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her.
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Susan McMinn
Susie was one of the original members of the North Shore Dragon Busters and was a long time member of Abreast in a Boat before that. When a member of AIAB she had served as Sponsorship Vice-Chair and Chair in 2004 and 2005 respectively. On so very many occasions she volunteered to steer for other teams and therefore knew so many people within the AIAB organization. She was always there to help out whenever needed. She steered for the North Shore Dragon Busters since their inception in 2008 and was the heart of our team.
She loved life and approached it with an infectious joy that spread to all those around her. She was creative and funny. She led our chants at each regatta in such a loud voice and with the most amazing grin on her face that one couldn't help but grin back even if one was on an opposing team. She supplied us with handmade paddling bling for each regatta and roped her sisters and daughters into making it with her if time was short. Her yells of encouragement from the back of our boat made us try harder in each and every race. And when she would be able to yell out "open water ladies" the pride she took in our team was so very heartfelt that occasional wardrobe malfunctions occured.
Open water Susie, we will miss you so very much.
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Gail Miles
Gail Miles was an original member of the North Shore Dragon Busters but began paddling with Abreast in a Boat in 2002. Her passion for the organization and for paddling were important parts of her varied and interesting life, which sadly ended on July 13, 2009. From sailing to horses, from travel to Nelson her dog, she gave so much of herself in everything she did.
In 2005 she co-chaired our incredible Saturday Night Dragon Fever event for the 10 Years Abreast celebration, a night that will be remembered by paddlers from all over the world. She joined the Abreast in a Boat board as Communications Chair in 2007 and in 2008 joined her team in transitioning to the North Shore Dragon Busters in Deep Cove where she paddled until just before her passing.
Gail's desire to spread our message of hope as far afield as possible led her to South Africa, China, New Zealand and Australia as well as less exotic locals such as Texas, Portland, Kelowna, Nanaimo and Victoria. Gail will be remembered for her incredible smile, her gift of really listening to people and making them feel they were very important to her, her shopping skills and her wonderful sense of humour. She leaves behind her children, grandchildren and her team-mates and friends who miss her very much and will always carry her memory in their hearts.
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In 2007, the North Shore Dragon Busters evolved from the "Abreast in the Cove" dragon boat team,
which was part of the umbrella group "Abreast in A Boat".
The North Shore Dragon Busters lovingly claim these women as their own and they will forever be in our hearts.
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Irene Aman - 48
August 8 2002 |
Mardi Strongitharm - 47
March 26 2003. |
Kathy Reeve - 37
September 17 2004
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Darcy Hawkshaw - 60
December 16 2005 |
Robbi Benzan
April 2007 |
Letia Richardson - 67
August 31 2010 |
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Marilyn Findlay - 69
October 20 2011 |
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