1927-2017
Betty passed peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of Saturday July 22, 2017 in her home at Christenson Village, Gibsons, British Columbia, Canada just shy of her 90th birthday.
Betty was born to Alfred and Ellen Ballance in August of 1927 in London, England. She had three younger siblings, Donald, who died at infancy, Roy and Geoffrey.
The second World War broke out when Betty was twelve and didn’t end until she was eighteen, which meant she lived through the horrific bombings of London and the food and clothing rationing. Apart from the horrors of war, she detested the fact that she was taken away from her family and schooling, against her will. She ran away several times from her “adopted family” and made her way home. In an effort to do her bit, together with her Father, she helped the war effort by becoming an Air Raid Warden.
Whilst working in the box office of a London theatre, Betty met the love of her life, Geoffrey Edward Webb. He was a musician with The Royal Horse Guard, known as “The Blues”, who are entrusted with guarding the Queen during ceremonial occasions. They soon married and together attended many prestigious engagements, such as Royal Ascot, Chelsea, and The Trouping of the Colour.
Geoff left the Royal Horse Guards and joined the Canadian Army in 1954. At that time the Canadian Army were looking for experienced musicians who knew military music and approached Geoff. On joining the Canadian Army they spent two years in Germany before living in Calgary then Edmonton.
After the military years, Betty worked for Simpson Sears in the lingerie department and quickly became a department manager, then area manager in her specialty. Upon retirement, they moved to their favourite place, Kelowna, where Betty worked part time for an antique’s dealer. Betty also became very involved as a volunteer with some local charities, including the S.P.C.A and the Kelowna Hostesses that provides goodwill ambassadors for community activities.
After the passing of her husband Geoff, Betty moved from the high hills of West Kelowna down closer to the city center. In August of 2012, Betty moved out to the West Coast where she could be closer to her two sons. In her final years, Betty lived very comfortably at Christenson Village in Gibsons, making an impact on the people she met.
Betty is survived by her youngest brother Geoffrey; her two sons, Wyndham (Monica) and Graham (Karen); grandchildren Cameron (Laurel) and Amanda (Jason), and their mother Helen Webb; Geoff (Adaisha) and Jamie; great-grandchildren Cielle and Hudson, and Lane and Rhys.
Her sons and their families would like to offer their sincere thanks to the staff at Christenson Village for their tireless care and compassion, not only for Betty, but for all the residents (and families) that they care for; truly an amazing facility. A big thank you must also go to Dr. Sivakova, for the dedication and sense of humour that she showed, whilst providing Betty with such excellent care.
No service by request.