For those that are unaware, my mother, Jodi Harding ran this blog and Muddy Valley Farm, she sadly passed away in November. We will be leaving this website up so people can continue to read her beautiful words, she was truly a fantastic writer. I am her daughter and have taken over the Muddy Valley Farm facebook page as we ran the farm together and I am continuing to farm, but have decided to leave this website as a tribute to my mother. Below is her obituary.
Jodi lost her courageous battle against cancer, surrounded by her loving family on the morning of November 24, 2022. Jodi was born December 4, 1961, in Edmonton and moved to Victoria soon after. She grew up in Saanich riding her beloved horse Dusty and attended Cloverdale and Durrance elementary schools, and Mount Newton middle school then Stelly’s Secondary School, graduating in 1979. Soon after she met the love of her life, Bill Harding, and they were immediately inseparable, marrying 7 years later.
Mother to three capable daughters (plus a bonus daughter who showed up one day and never left), Jodi was considered the “universal mom” by all her children’s friends. She welcomed everyone into her home and made sure they were loved and cared for, often sending them on their way with fresh baked goods, eggs from her chickens or bags of fresh grown garlic if they happened to stop in at the right time of year.
Her first job at the motor vehicle branch launched her successful career as a technical writer but her hobbies were her true passion. Some of them were reading, listening to CBC radio, crocheting, making stained glass art including stepping stones, knitting (mainly socks to the amusement of her whole family), and raising chickens.
After buying their first home in Langford, Jodi and Bill moved to Saanich where for the next 24 years she tended her hobby farm, caring for horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, ducks, and her most enduring passion, hundreds of cherished chickens. Jodi loved homesteading and focused on producing as much as she could from her two acres, which she considered heaven on earth.
Jodi is survived by her loving husband Bill, her three daughters Katy, Christina, and Sara, bonus daughter Kelsey, sister Janis Cormier, brother Mike Fimrite, and father Dennis Fimrite. She was predeceased by her mother Dawn Fimrite.
There will be a celebration of life at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific at 1pm on Friday March 24th, 2023. The family is requesting donations to the food bank or women’s transition society in lieu of flowers. The ceremony will be live cast at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daFJEY_WXww
Oh Katy how beautiful that you are doing this. I still feel your mum here when I think of this living legacy. Sending love and so happy that you are keeping her words alive for us.
Bill and family; We had the honour of meeting Jodi many years ago through project work. One of her endearing traits was her bragging about her family, especially her daughters. Bill was indeed the love of her life, and a true partner in every aspect of her family life. Thank you for sharing Jodi with her many friends and work colleagues, and for continuing the blog so we may enjoy her legacy.
I met Jodi many years ago when she got one of my kittens. My husband taught at Stellys and often spoke of both Jodi and Mike. Please accept my sympathy on your loss.
Bill; we’re so sorry to hear of Jodi’s passing. You’ve both been great neighbours over the years. We hope to continue to hear farm sounds coming from Muddy Valley as Jodi’s legacy lives on.
Both Johanna and I have bad colds, so we won’t attend the service, but will live stream.
So very sorry to hear of Jodi’s passing. I haven’t seen her since since she was a child but ache for my cousin Dennis and Jodi’s husband and children, brother and sister. Taken far too young. May she rest in peace knowing how loved she was.
Cheryle Findlay