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| Bev Shaw | |
Bev Shaw, owner of Canadian bookstore Talewind Books, Sechelt, B.C., died November 27. Her family shared the news "with profound sadness" on the store's Facebook page, noting: "Bev was a cherished figure within our community and the literary world, having devoted over 35 years to fostering the love of literature through Talewind Books. Her impact on our lives was immeasurable, and her warmth and generosity touched the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. We have every intention of keeping the store open and try to achieve Bev’s high standards."
Shaw "will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and unwavering commitment to the written word. She leaves behind a community that is richer for having known her, a bookstore that stands as a testament to her enduring legacy, and a loving family," her obituary in the Coast Reporter noted.
As the longtime owner of Talewind Books, "her warm smile and welcoming presence made the bookstore not just a place to buy books, but a hub for the exchange of stories and experiences. As a business owner, Bev went above and beyond. She recognized the importance of creativity and community and enriched our lives through supporting a number of events including the Sunshine Coast Writers Festival for many years," the obituary continued.
"It's rare that a person achieves her level of penetration into people's lives across such a wide community," said Howard White, owner of Douglas & McIntyre and Harbour Publishing. When he shared the news of her death online, the responses came quickly: "Some of the people talk about the bookstore and the amazing cultural role it played. Most of them wrote about how they felt about Bev and how deeply her loss is felt. With her witty, sardonic commentary, she was such a part of all our lives, and I'm lucky I got to engage with such an original, wonderful person."
In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations be made to the Bev Shaw Literacy Fund at the Sunshine Coast Foundation, adding: "May her love for literature, her zest for life, and her impact on our lives continue to inspire us."