The Venerable Philippa Louise Pride

Into your hands, O merciful Saviour, we commend your servant.

7 July 1973 – 18 March 2024

After a long illness with cancer, Archdeacon Philippa Louise Pride, died in hospital on March 18 with family and friends beside her. We are so grateful for her ministry in this diocese and in the Church of England.

Philippa was ordained to the Diaconate on 4 July 1999, and to the Priesthood on 1 July 2000 in Birmingham, England. In that same diocese she served at St. Peter’s Harborne (as an Assistant Curate) before moving to the Diocese of St Alban. She was Team Vicar at Tring and Team Vicar at Hatfield. From 2006 to 2010 she was Ethical Advisor to pharmaceutical companies conducting drug trials at the University of Hertfordshire, and was a school governor at several primary schools.

Philippa moved to Vancouver, transferring to the Diocese of New Westminster, in 2013. Initially she was an Honorary Priest at Christ Church Cathedral. In 2014 she became Assistant to the Rector for Pastoral Care and Liturgy, a position she held again starting in 2019.

Archbishop Melissa Skelton appointed Philippa as Archdeacon of Burrard in 2016. She became Assistant to the Rector (Interim Vicar) at Christ Church Cathedral in November 2016. In September 2016 she also became Archdeacon of Lougheed. We kept her very busy! She completed her term as Archdeacon of Burrard in 2018.

Interim ministry became a specialty for Philippa, and she did much good work in this area of ministry, much appreciated in all the places she served. She was Interim Priest-in-Charge at St Clement, Lynn Valley, Priest-in-Charge at St Mark, Ocean Park, Priest-in-Charge at St Philip, Dunbar, and Interim Priest-in-Charge at St Helen, Surrey.

Over her years in this diocese, Archdeacon Philippa was a member of Diocesan Council, The Bishop’s Advisory Committee on Appointments, and the COVID Safety Planning Group. She was also Chair of the Standing Committee on Mission and Ministry Development. In 2022 she travelled to the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines as part of the diocesan delegation.

Bishop John Stephens appointed Philippa as Special Assistant to the Bishop effective 17 October 2022 and then as Executive Archdeacon effective 5 January 2023. She was well known in many parts of the diocese as her humour and calm demeanour was very much appreciated in her role. Her deep faith and love of the Church came through wherever she served.

Philippa is survived by her daughter Caitlin, Caitlin’s father Ronan Segrave, her sister Joanna Pride, and many friends and in-laws. She was predeceased by her parents and elder sister. Caitlin brought so much joy to Philippa’s life and was the recipient of so much of her love and concern.

The funeral mass is planned for Monday, April 8 at 2:00pm at Christ Church Cathedral.

Please remember our sister Philippa in your prayers and at the altar