What began as a West Vancouver tradition of a spot of tea by the beach and a bit of boosterism for the monarchy now lives on as a tribute to its founder.
Carolanne Reynolds organized the first RoyalTea-by-the-Sea in 2000 to commemorate the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday.
Reynolds died following a heart attack while vacationing in the Interior last month.
More than the organizer of the annual event, Reynolds was an institution in many areas of West Vancouver civic life.
Reynolds served on District of West Vancouver council from 1988 to 1990. In decades after, she was the most reliable of West Van’s council watchers, typically staying until the end of very long meetings to praise council’s good deeds, poke them with a sharp stick for their failings, and offer plenty of suggestions to clean up the grey areas in between. She was a particularly devoted advocate for West Vancouver's heritage.
Reynolds reached hundreds of local readers through her regular West Van Matters newsletter and served on numerous local boards and committees.
Outside the council chamber, Reynolds was a published poet, a trained connoisseur of wine and committed grammarian, ready to politely correct someone if they misused a possessive apostrophe in print.
Mayor Mary-Ann Booth paid tribute to Reynolds at the July 25 council meeting with a moment of silence and reading of a poem.
The RoyalTea-by-the-Sea is set to run Saturday, Aug. 13, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Dundarave Park. There is a suggested donation of $10. Registration in advance is requested by emailing [email protected].
