Malvina Eidsvik (nee Macdonald) passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at home. She had a rare motor neuron disease closely related to ALS. She was valiant in her effort to keep a joyful life throughout her disease against which she fought hard.
She leaves behind her husband of 57 years, Harold (Hal) Eidsvik, her children, Kristine (Thomas, Jessica, Alex), Bruce (Kathryn, Bjorn, Ella and Terje), and Karen (Gary, Sarah, Elaine, Andrew and Louise), brothers Bob (Sheila) and Bruce (Pat), and numerous nephews and cousins.
Malvina began her journey in Kamloops, BC, where her father ran a shoe store - beginning a lifelong love of quality shoes. She earned her Bachelor of Nursing at UBC and her RN at the Vancouver General Hospital. Before becoming a full-time homemaker she worked with the Victorian Order of Nurses and later taught medical surgical nursing at the University of Michigan Teaching Hospital. She met the love of her life, Hal, on a blind date at UBC. They married in 1958. They moved frequently with Hal's career in park conservation, spending the majority of their years in Ottawa, but also Geneva, Paris, and finally Sidney, BC. They traveled to nearly every corner of the world for various conferences, where Malvina elegantly hosted delegates and participants in whatever facilities were available. She was an excellent chef, a re-incarnated Julia Childs, and used their travel to expand her repertory of recipes, which she loved to share while entertaining. Having grown up during the Depression, she was frugal and could convert leftovers into delicious "Malvinas." She studied and became a professional couturier, and thus provided beautiful clothes for herself and the children. She was an avid gardener, taught the kids how to weed and grow great tomatoes. With Hal's help she turned their Sidney backyard into a colorful oasis. Even while debilitated she'd give directions to Hal, spotting every weed with binoculars. Malvina was a master bridge player, and won many tournaments and friends. She had a love of the arts, especially opera, ballet and the symphony. She sang in the church choir most of her life, and played the piano (making sure the kids learned to as well). She was a devoted Catholic and found Pope Francis a breath of fresh air. Her family and friends will remember her for her strong hugs, the lively debate and delicious food at her dinner parties, the care and support she offered to all of us, and her ceaseless love of life. She was the greatest of friends to so many and will be dearly missed.
