Elsie May Betts

Elsie May Betts (Wells) passed away February 6, 2017 at the age of 93 at Waverly Seniors Village in Chilliwack, B.C. Elsie was born May 10, 1923 in Bromley, Kent, England where her father worked as a grounds keeper for a local tennis club. This afforded Elsie the opportunity to play tennis, one of the many sports she enjoyed during her lifetime. Elsie learned to knit at the age of 6 and never stopped; however, her real passion was dressmaking. Elsie used her dressmaking skills throughout her life to design and create garments such as kilts, special birthday dresses, and identical outfits for Carol and Christine. One day a handsome young man named Herbert (Bert) Louis Betts offered to carry Elsie’s parcels home for her. On August 30, 1941 they became husband and wife, following Bert’s proposal to Elsie on the top of a double-decker bus. Because Britain was at war, the couple’s time together following the wedding was brief. Bert was shipped out to the India-Burma War Theatre to fight for four years. Elsie wrote to him every day. Elsie spent this time in London surviving the London Blitz and supporting the war effort by volunteering for the Red Cross, often with bombs exploding close by and narrowly missing injury herself. She was also one of the voices from England heard over the radio sending encouragement and love to the overseas troops. For her work, Elsie was awarded the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service Medal.

Following WWII three daughters were born to Elsie and Bert: Janet in 1946, Carol in 1950, and Christine in 1952. Elsie was dedicated to her daughters and turned mundane household chores into enjoyable activities for the children by allowing them to ride on the old sausage Hoover as she vacuumed and by dragging them up and down the hall on an old curtain to polish the floors. Afternoons were spent outside, often at Crystal Palace Park just across the street. When Janet joined the Brownies, Elsie began her volunteer work with the girl guiding movement which continued for many years. Elsie and Bert never missed taking a holiday each year in England, renting a caravan by the seaside and travelling there on Bert’s motorbike with Elsie on the back of the bike and the three children bundled into the covered sidecar.

In 1957 Elsie packed up the children and boarded the Arosa Sun to cross the North Atlantic. They landed at Pier 21 in Halifax in the middle of winter, took the train to Montreal, and continued to Winnipeg where Bert, now a member of the RCAF, was waiting. While in Winnipeg Elsie went to work for the Hudson’s Bay Company, and family outings continued, with a favourite haunt being Assiniboine Park.

This stay in Winnipeg was brief, and soon the family was off to Goose Bay, Labrador, strapped into the sides of a Flying Boxcar. As well as working for Hudson’s Bay in Happy Valley, Elsie immersed herself in community activities and sports. She once again volunteered with the Brownies and Guides, being appointed District Commissioner for Goose Bay.

Three years later the family headed off to Hensall, Ontario, so Bert could complete communications technician training in Clinton. Elsie was drawn again to the Brownies and Guides, and involvement in small community life. Since the family now owned a car, there were many excursions exploring Southwestern Ontario.

A year later the family left Hensall and drove back to Winnipeg where Elsie and Bert lived until Bert’s retirement from the RCAF. Elsie worked full-time for Zeller’s as both a salesclerk and a personnel manager. She was always front and centre for store special events and celebrations. These years in Winnipeg were filled with local Sunday outings as well as longer camping trips to Clear Lake and across Western Canada.

Bert retired in November 1971 and the couple headed off to the warmer climate of Sardis, B.C. Originally, they lived with Bert’s brother, Reg, off Ryder Lake Road. As well as becoming an active member of the Ryder Lake Women’s Institute, Elsie could often be seen taking brisk walks along Promontory Road, becoming the unofficial community dog walker, collecting the delighted canines along the way. Later, the couple decided to move down into Sardis where Bert took on a civilian job on the army base, and Elsie rejoined Zeller’s with whom she stayed until her 71st birthday. Elsie, a lifetime learner, also pursued painting with water colours with her usual gusto. She could finally express her enthusiasm for nature on canvas. Elsie continued to keep herself in shape with yoga, belly-dancing, swimming both at the Leisure Centre and in Hope, pedalling furiously on her stationary bike, and walking, walking, walking. Once the couple were both retired, they continued to enjoy the outdoors by camping and playing golf, and carrying on in the service of others by volunteering for the Seniors’ Resources, the Red Cross, and the Special Olympics BC - Chilliwack. They were recognized by the Town of Chilliwack for their volunteer work. Elsie and Bert travelled often to visit family for weddings, graduations and holidays. These visits often included other adventures such as hiking up mountain trails, going king salmon fishing, and experiencing white-water rafting.

When it became difficult for Elsie to take care of Bert at home, he became a resident of Eden Intermediate Care Home. Elsie visited every day, despite the long bus trip and walk to get there. She not only brightened Bert’s day with her visits and ever tender care, but also the days of other residents of Eden by helping them with their meals and chatting with them cheerfully.

Following Bert’s passing, Elsie moved into her own apartment in Lynnwood Retirement Residence where she became an unofficial greeter of new arrivals. Elsie remained very active playing bingo; doing puzzles; and going on outings to wineries, artistic performances, Minter Gardens and shopping trips. Elsie enjoyed nothing better than a game of Scrabble. Right up to a few days before her passing, Elsie was playing Scrabble with her girls—and winning!

Elsie will be remembered for her love of family, her ability to brighten up the lives of others, her enduring positive attitude, her sense of humour, her courageousness, her zest for life and her adventuresome spirit.

The family would like to thank Dr. Cameron Ross for his kindness and care over the years, as well as the staff of the Lynnwood Retirement Residence and the staff of long-term care at Waverly Seniors Village. Elsie was predeceased by her long-time, loving husband, Bert. She is survived by her three daughters: Janet (Jim), Carol (Eugene), and Christine; grandchildren: Cindy (Curtis), Scott (Jennifer), Brendan (Emily), and Kaycee (Brendon); and great-grandchildren: RJ, Brett, Marlee, Christopher, Thomas, Elana, Matthew, Kyron, Declan and Ivy.

Cremation arrangements are in care of Henderson’s Funeral Home and Crematorium. A memorial service to celebrate Elsie’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Henderson’s Funeral Home, 45901 Victoria Avenue, Chilliwack, with a reception to follow.

Should friends so desire, donations in Elsie’s memory may be made to the Salvation Army.