The community continues to pass along gestures of condolence in Metchosin for the family of a popular local business owner.
Adriana Ko, who operated the Metchosin Country Store with husband Tony and their family, died recently at 51 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
A service was held Tuesday (Aug. 16) for Adriana and by Wednesday, jars of flowers were quickly filling the pillars and other spaces in front of the store at Happy Valley and Metchosin roads. The outpouring of support followed a callout was issued on a neighbourhood social media page.
Reflecting on her memories of her mother, daughter Naomi Ko focused on Adriana’s selfless nature.
“I remember her just as someone that was extremely hardworking and very selfless and she sacrificed a lot for our family to provide us the life that we’re living now – it’s really all thanks to all the sacrifices that she’s made and the hard work that she put in to create this life,” she told Black Press Media.
Looking outward, Naomi said the Metchosin community has felt like family ever since her parents bought the store in 2005. She remembers arriving to a sign welcoming them, which meant a lot to the family having immigrated to Canada from South Korea in 2004.
She also voiced fond memories of life in and around the store, which has long been one of the focal points for the community.
“It was like a home for us because we spent so much time there as a family. I mean, my siblings and I, we would help them out at the store ever since we were young. Those were good times just being with the family,” she said.
“We were really kind of dependent on each other and relied on each other because we were kind of all we had – family was all we had after immigrating from Korea. But being in Metchosin gave us a sense of being involved or being a part of something, because the community there is just so strong. So I think that was really special.”
As well as leaving flowers outside the store, people have poured in to share their condolences with Tony and the family.
Through Naomi, Tony and the family thanked community members for their support and for attending the service.
ALSO READ: Metchosin then and now: Metchosin store an icon in district
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