Eva Navrot will be missed in Williams Lake, and many came to wish her well on May 14.
The Williams Lake and District Seniors' Activity Centre hosted a drop-in event to honour all Navrot has done and provide an opportunity for the community to say goodbye as she and her husband get ready to relocate to Merritt.
Navrot and her husband have been in the community since 1979 and raised their three children here.
She has been a dedicated advocate in the community, working with the Women's Contact Society, Canadian Mental Health Association, Cariboo Friendship Society, Three Corners Health, the Seniors Activity Centre and the BC Community Response Network, among others. She was key to restarting the Seniors Advocacy Program in 2021 and helped ensure the program's sustainability.
Navrot is "a fabulous mentor" according to Suzanne Cochrane, who will take over the seniors advocacy.
"She's helped so many people in our community," said Cochrane. "Merritt will be getting a gem, that's for sure."
Others at the event also had some kind words for Navrot.
"I really appreciate the education programs she brought in," said Mabel Hicks.
"She's our go-to person," said Virginia Bradshaw.
"It's not just friends, it's family," said Wanda Eeles of the Seniors Activity Centre, where Navrot worked as the seniors advocate. Eeles said Navrot helped her through a lot after her husband passed away.
"We will miss her dearly," said Daphne Johnson.
"She's been a great mentor to many," said Tamara Bush.
"She is kind beyond kind," said Dave Dickson when he stopped by to help send her off.
"Such a dear lady, she'll be missed," he said.
"She's an institution in this town," said Barb Jones.
For her part, Navrot said the community was a wonderful place to raise a family and they love the opportunities it provided, especially the access to the outdoors.
But the new location will enable the couple to see more of their children and grandchildren, who are in Kamloops, Vancouver and Kimberley.
"Williams Lake is a great place," said Navrot, noting she will continue to recommend it to others.
The couple still has a cabin in the west Chilcotin, so they plan to continue to return to the area.
Over the years, Navrot has been in the newspaper many times, thanks to her roles and advocacy in the community.
We will miss highlighting her work, but know her legacy will continue through all the leadership she has shown.
