Renate Elisabeth Eulig-Tolman (October 29, 1936 – August 20, 2014)

Renate has departed this life relieved of suffering from the complications of cancer after a lengthy struggle that became particularly difficult in the last half-year.

She was an exceptionally generous and loving person who will be sorely missed by all her family and many friends.

Renate was born in Magdeburg, Germany, the daughter of Werner and Elisabeth Eulig. She graduated from high school in 1949.

She continued her education at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz in Germersheim but soon decided to switch to a nursing program at the hospital in Gerabronn, which included two months’ service at Claybury Hospital in Essex, England.

In 1957, she married Jerold Huggins and moved with him to Washington state. When they moved to Seattle, Renate became a surgical technician at Swedish Medical Center.

She and Jerry had two children, Albert and Elizabeth.

Renate resumed her education at the University of Washington, obtaining both a bachelor’s degree and a teaching certificate.

She moved with her family to Forks. There, she taught school and eventually took charge of the local library, a branch of the North Olympic Library System.

In 1974, she and Jerry were divorced.

In 1976, she married Charles Tolman. This added four stepchildren to her family: Richard, Jeannette, Peter and Eric.

Renate joined Charles in Victoria. In Victoria, she worked first in teaching and then in health care until her retirement in 2001. Renate and Charles moved to North Saanich, British Columbia, in 2003.

She is survived by her husband, Charles; her two children, Elizabeth (Ralph) Davis and Albert (Debra) Huggins; four stepchildren, Richard Tolman, Jennifer (Jeff) Lough, Peter (Ellie) Tolman and Eric (Debra) Tolman; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Respecting her wishes, there will be no memorial service.

Those who wish to do so are encouraged to make a contribution in her name to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation (www.sphf.ca/donate).