A magnolia tree in Richmond's Minoru Park is now standing tall in memory of a long-time choir director who passed away earlier this year.
Annie (Nan) Baardsen, former director of the Richmond Singers and the Minoru Seniors Society Glee Club, passed away at the age of 97 on Jan. 14.
Twelve fellow singers and friends of Baardsen, along with Coun. Bill McNulty, held a tree-planting event on Wednesday morning in front of the Minoru Centre for Active Living to honour her memory.
The group held hands around the planted tree and sang a song for Baardsen.
Wendy Bishop, Baardsen's step-daughter, told the Richmond News Baardsen was an "amazing woman" who was loved by many.
"She led a marvellous life," said Bishop.
"Her work and volunteering was recognized by the community and people and I couldn't be more proud."
Baardsen was born in Clydebank, Scotland, and at age 16, she began a 27-year career with the British civil service, though work never quietened her passion for singing.
She first joined a local operatic society in Glasgow, Scotland, and then became a soloist with a local operatic society in England after moving there in her 30s.
In 1969, at the age of 43, she moved to Eastern Canada, where her brother was residing; together they relocated to Vancouver after a cross-Canada road trip.
She had continued singing in local choirs in Eastern Canada before she moved to Richmond in 2003. Here she joined the Minoru Seniors Glee Club, and became the club’s director in 2011.
On March 1, a celebration of life was held for Baardsen when she would have turned 98. It was dubbed "Nanny Nan Day" by her friends.
Jenny Anderson, a fellow singer and friend of Baardsen, described Baardsen as a woman "full of life all the time."
"She was very much into doing things for the community ... and she was the one that kept us all together, " said Anderson, adding they had a "very cohesive group with Glee."
"She's always fun and always had a laugh. When there is something to celebrate, she is always the first one to want a party and was known for her fabulous wiggle dance."
Baardsen was also known for her beautiful voice and was "even more beautiful (as a) person overall."
"She really cared for the world and right up to the end she was so full of joy.
"She said 'I don't want anybody to cry. I want everybody to have fun."
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