We are deeply saddened that we must say goodbye to our daughter, Rebecca.
Rebecca was born in Vancouver and grew up in Nelson with her brothers David and Bryan.
As a young adult she embraced her Aboriginal heritage and was a member of the Tahltan nation. She attained her high school diploma through the Native Education College in Vancouver and went on to take Business Administration courses at both the Native Education College and Simon Fraser University. Until she became ill she worked as office administrator in the Office of Aboriginal Peoples at Simon Fraser University.
Family is made up of the people that we choose to have in our lives. Rebecca was fortunate to have had three families, firstly her parents Bill and Sandy Potkins, brothers Bryan and David, sister-in-law Cathy and nieces Heather and Erica. In her twenties, she reconnected with her birth family; mother Holly Henry, stepfather George, and brothers Sonny, Dalton and Daniel. Throughout the last three years, she built yet another family with her partner Marshall Taylor and his children, Tristan, Kiel, Keylion, Seven, Rayne, and Brody.
Rebecca loved to spend time in the company of her families and her many friends. She enjoyed photography, painting, - and shopping! She was a member of the Tiqilap choir and sang and drummed at various SFU functions.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and endured her difficult treatments with strength, courage and an indomitable will. Rebecca died on May 16 surrounded by love. We would like to thank the BC Cancer Agency and Vancouver General Hospital for the care and compassion Rebecca and all of us received during the last three years. Special thanks to Kirsten Livingston, Rebecca’s lifelong friend who has walked with her on this journey every step of the way.
A celebration of life will be held in Vancouver at a later date.
“Not flesh of our flesh
Nor bone of our bone,
But still, miraculously, our own.”