102 THE ADVOCATE
VOL. 79 PART 1 JANUARY 2021
Angela Boddez
She who leaves a trail of glitter will not be forgotten.
As we write this obituary for Angela, our first instinct
is to ask Angela, “What do we do? How do we write
this?” Angela has always been our go-to source for
help on just about everything. We are sure that if you
have had the opportunity to work with Angela, you
will understand exactly what we are talking about.
When you need help or advice with absolutely anything, you call Angela.
Somehow she always knows what to do.
We know Angela would have critiqued our opening paragraph. We can
hear her voice in our heads and picture her taking her pen and crossing out
virtually every word we wrote, so that almost nothing of our own was left
on the paper, but then somehow turning it into the most beautiful thing we
have ever read.
We know that Angela would have picked up on the fact that we are speaking
about her in the present tense, which is not typically done when writing
an obituary. But our use of the present tense is purposeful because there is
something horribly wrong with the statement “we loved Angela” or “she was
an amazing person” or “she was a remarkable lawyer”. To use the past tense
is inaccurate. We love Angela and always will. She is an amazing person and
a remarkable lawyer. That she has left this world does not change that. As
a lawyer who never once missed the smallest detail, we know that Angela
will appreciate that we are making this distinction.
Angela has taught us how to live a better life, and we will share just some
of those lessons as Angela continues to guide us.
Angela has taught us to celebrate. Whether it is a birthday, a wedding,
Christmas or the law student interns’ arrival at WorkSafeBC, there is always
a way to celebrate. She has taught us that you must create the atmosphere
with a theme and decorate accordingly. You must pay attention to everything,
from napkins, to centrepieces, to tablecloths. Then, you must have a
lot of food that, ideally, will match the theme. Finally, if there cannot be
some sort of game or activity to entertain the people, you must at least have
some sort of prize or giveaway.
Angela has taught us to be generous. Whenever you are out shopping,
think of everyone in your life, and when you see something that might
bring them joy, pick it up. Then you will always be ready. You should also