Peace movement
While Demerson worked as a waitress she continued to see her son regularly, but he became attached to his foster mother and the stability her home provided. Her husband Harry Yip disappeared. She could not find him to reconcile. She gave up hope of reuniting the family, and she fled to Vancouver, joined political groups and became involved in the Peace movement and protests during the Vietnam War. Her son became estranged from her, and later died of an asthma attack while swimming at the age of 26 which crushed Demerson who had tried to maintain a relationship with him.