Dear Thelma,

Congratulations on reaching your 100^th birthday. And, what a milestone it is! You know how important you have been to Lois and I over the years since you and I first met at Simon Fraser.

I have heard it said that the special people in your life could be counted on the fingers of one hand. You are number one on that hand. You may recall how you helped me out as a Teaching Fellow in 1968. We were both pretty new to teaching at the time.

We have valued your continued friendship as we moved to Kamloops in 1970 to a teaching position in the newly established, Cariboo College. Trips to the coast to visit my parents had to include ‘lunch or tea with Thelma’. You were always interested in how teaching was going and of course, “How are the children?”

You were always interested in how things were going at what is now Thompson Rivers University. I especially valued your coaching on teaching and how to further my projects, whatever they were. Your insights have been invaluable to me over the years. I think of your coaching often as I continue to work on campus in retirement.

You have been an important mentor to me. My hope is that I can take your coaching and pass on your wisdom to others. It is now my time to mentor others.

Love from Dave and Lois

R. David Williams, Professor Emeritus

Thompson Rivers University