Lidia Luciana Vecchiato Niamath passes away at 86

Lidia Luciana Vecchiato Niamath passed away on June 30, 2026, at the age of 86. Born in Tripoli, Libya, she later lived in Italy before settling in Nanaimo, British Columbia, in 1981.

A longtime travel agent, Niamath was a 36-year breast cancer survivor and a founding member of the Angels Abreast dragon boat team. She was instrumental in bringing the Nanaimo dragon boat festival to the community. A celebration of her life will be held on August 22, 2026, at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 256 in Nanaimo.