A local woman whose good work was felt literally around the world is the latest person to die on the Sea to Sky Highway.
Squamish's Tracey Curley, 47, died after her car collided with a dump truck near Lions Bay at just after 11 a.m. on a rainy Thursday (March 31).
Curley was going to Vancouver to write a mortgage broker exam so she could start working at a new job.
Cpl. Dave Ritchie said Curley was southbound when her car went out of control.
"There were wet roads, she lost control and crossed over the centre line," said Ritchie. "She was hit going backwards going into the truck."
Curley's BMW was badly damaged from the collision.
Both vehicles went through an inspection after the crash and Ritchie said they were in fine mechanical form. He noted there was no indication drugs or alcohol played any role in the collision. The police investigation into the accident is ongoing.
Many residents knew Curley through her work with the Squamish Credit Union (SCU) and the Royal Bank. She was the manager of SCU's Highlands branch until she decided to take a humanitarian trip with HOPE International last year.
The trip took her to Africa and India for six months. During her time there she worked with women in Bangalore, India to improve their lives and in Ethiopia she worked on a drinking water project.
"I do not know what God has in store for me, but I know I am blessed," Curley wrote in an e-mail to The Chief while she was overseas.
Before leaving to work with HOPE International, Curley said she just wanted to go and be with the people and to help out any way she could.
A memorial service was held for Curley at the Paradise Valley Campgrounds on Tuesday (April 5). More than 200 people squeezed under a large tent to share memories and bid Tracey goodbye under a cloudy sky and showers.
Friends and family described Curley as a person who made friends easily and was full of energy.
Seven candles inside glass containers were hung from the roof of the tent and burned alongside decorations inspired by Curley's passion for Africa.
Curley's son Evan said he didn't get a chance to say goodbye to his mother and shared the contents of a letter he wrote to her after her death.
"You and I were a team," he said. "You made me strong. I will always remember your big brown eyes and your huge smile."He said he knows his mother will always be watching over him.
"Goodbye and I love you so much," he said holding back tears.
A number of other friends and family members spoke of Curley's love for people, ice cream, cards, karaoke and slo-pitch.
Curley's brother-in-law said everyone accepted her and he doesn't know how anyone wouldn't like her. He also said she was very accepting. He told a story of how at Christmas a few years ago Curley invited a large number of people for dinner.
"A lot of you were there, I know because half of Squamish was there," he said.
Curley's husband, Brad, talked about how he met his wife. Soon after they met she asked him when they were going to marry, he said. He also explained how the humanitarian trip came about.
"It all started because of our bedroom," he said. "Our bedroom is decorated by someone who has never been to Africa. She told me she was going to Africa," he said.
"I will never forget her. Africa will never forget her."
The memorial included two native drum songs and it was capped off with a fun dance. Brad and Tracey promised each other that if either of them died the other would make sure the memorial included the Chicken Dance.
The Hope Foundation in New Westminster is accepting donations in Curley's memory.
