Wilma Wickham

It is with great sadness and much love that we announce the passing of our Mother, Wilma Grace Wickham.

Wilma was born April 08, 1933 in Winnipeg, Manitoba and passed away peacefully May 14,2026.

Wilma was predeceased by her husband Dr. Thomas Wickham, parents Frank and Leila Cain, brother Lorne and sister Shirley Patterson.

After high school Wilma enrolled in the Registered Nurse residential training program at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC where she graduated in 1954. While training as a Registered Nurse, she met Tom Wickham. They married in Chemainus June 11,1955. After their marriage, Wilma and Tom moved to Vancouver, BC and Wilma worked in the University of British Columbia Medical Center while Tom earned his degree in Pharmacy and later in Medicine. While Tom completed his internship, they lived in Victoria. Wilma and Tom later settled in Ladysmith, BC and raised three children, Tom, David, and Karen. Wilma Stopped work as an RN to raise the children but later re-qualified and worked part-time at the Duncan Hospital.
The family travelled extensively throughout their lives and Wilma and Tom continued to travel after their children left home. Wilma was very creative and sewed clothing as well as many Halloween and ballet costumes. She was a talented knitter and later took up cross stitch.

Wilma was active in the community and was president of the Ladysmith Hospital Auxiliary and received her 50 Year pin. She was also on the Ladysmith Hospital Board. Later in life she was active with the Ladysmith Museum and the new Ladysmith Archive. She and Tom were awarded the BC Community Achievement Award just prior to Toms death in 2009 for their initiatives for the Ladysmith and District Historical Society and the establishment of the Ladysmith Community Archives, as well as their numerous financial contributions to multiple projects within the town of Ladysmith.

Wilma is survived by her children, Tom (Shirley), David, Karen (Noel); her grandchildren, Ryan (Svenja), Dylan (Kelsea), Sean (Deeanna) and Curtis; her step-grandchildren, Ian (Andree-Anne), Kyle (Lauren) and Scott (Kirstin); great grandchildren, Wren, Maya, Dante, Raylene, Edith, Elliott and Leila as well as her sister Elaine Hansen and numerous nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank the wonderful staff at LaRosa Gardens as well as the staff at Dufferin Place for the kind and compassionate care.

A Memorial Celebration of Life to be held at a later date.