Geoff & Judy Horner’s Legacy Story

Geoff and Judy Horner met while they were attending Victoria College in 1955. Judy was in her first year of post-secondary education and Geoff was doing his teacher training at Victoria Normal School. They played badminton together but when he first asked her out, she said “no” since she thought he was much too old for her (he being age 21 to her 17). It took him three years to muster up the courage to ask her out again. This time, they were both living in Vancouver – Judy training to be a nurse at VGH and Geoff studying Science, Math and English at UBC. Geoff’s patience was rewarded and sparks flew!

While planning their honeymoon, Geoff gave Judy a choice; he could afford five nights in a motel or five weeks in a tent. Judy, who had never camped before, chose the tent. That wanderlust and love of exploring new places, appreciating nature and sharing experiences was lifelong, and something they passed on to their children and grandchildren.

That spirit of adventure would serve them well when the only teaching job Geoff received following his UBC graduation was in Abbotsford. These two dedicated Vancouver Islanders decided to move to ‘the Mainland’ for one year. That was in 1960. Their roots and connections in Abbotsford ran deep after they chose to build their lives here, together. In Abbotsford, they raised their children, made lifelong friends, were active in their community, and gave back in immeasurable ways to the place that they made their home for 65 years

Geoff retired in 1992 and died in 2017, yet there are still many people in Abbotsford that remember him fondly as their Math, Physics, and/or Chemistry teacher. Teaching was never just a job or occupation for him – it was a vocation. He loved to learn and was an inspiring and gifted teacher. He taught with enthusiasm and passion for 35 years, with the last 25 years at Abby Senior.

Geoff himself embodied the commitment to lifelong learning, and was a natural teacher of practical skills in many areas outside the academic classroom. Without always realizing it, he continually taught his family and those around him, sometimes actively by showing and leading, or sometimes simply by setting a good example. Many Abbotsford residents remember Geoff teaching them the rules of a board or card game, or how to identify the constellations in the night sky, or how to fix almost anything. According to Geoff’s family, his biggest lesson to them was love. He once said, “We may not have had a lot of money, but we have a lot of love.”

Judy and Geoff were a partnership based on love and mutual respect. With three children, Brenda, Nicola (Nicki) and Roger, a large garden and one income, Judy supported her family through careful shopping, canning and freezing the fruit and vegetables harvested from the garden, filling the pantry with preserves, jams and juice, and cooking and baking, all of which demonstrated her love and care. The kitchen was her domain, and through her work in her home, she gave love and kindness to not just her family, but anyone that was fortunate to come within her orbit. She nurtured beyond her family and believed in giving back and in creating community. For many years Judy was the Abbotsford representative for Save the Children Fund, a Brownie (now Embers) leader and volunteer, and a steadfast member of the Altar Guild at Saint Matthew’s Anglican church. She spent hours knitting, sewing, and baking for her family and fundraisers, and volunteering for many local causes throughout her life.

After Geoff retired, they continued to explore the world with the sense of adventure that had started with their honeymoon. Elderhostel tours (now called Road Scholars) were a favourite, since they combined their love of learning with curated travel experiences with groups of like minded “active elders”. In addition to exploring North America and parts of Europe, they made countless trips to the UK (where Geoff was born), covering every corner of the British Isles. They both were active in local tennis and lawn bowling clubs – Geoff adding his unique sense of fun to the games and social events – and Geoff was an enthusiastic participant in the Abbotsford Philatelic Club, Probus, and Learning Plus. Grandchildren were their next blessing, with whom they continued to share their lessons of love, learning, and service.

Throughout their lives, Geoff and Judy both remained steadfast in their faith and service to others. While the teacher’s salary they lived on was modest, they were savers and financially wise, just as they were generous with their time and contributions to their community. They contributed to many local causes over the years, giving back in so many ways. One of those causes was the Abbotsford Community Foundation (ACF).

After Geoff passed away, his family created an ACF student award in his memory to continue to help local young people, mirroring the work he was called to do in life. The Geoff Horner Memorial has helped countless Abbotsford graduates further their education and will continue to do so forever. During Judy’s final years and in her will she made significant gifts to help ACF establish the Second Chance Award Fund, a cause that resonated with both Geoff and Judy. This fund is for young people facing financial and life barriers while seeking a second chance to pursue a post-secondary education.

From humble beginnings, the Horners created a legacy of service and giving to help others, a legacy that has, and will, create positive ripples in the lives of many people in Abbotsford for years to come.