It is with great sorrow that the family of Betty (Margaret Elizabeth Winthrope) Halvorsen, age 73, announces her passing at Abbotsford MSA Hospital after a valiant battle with pneumonia.
Betty was the eldest child of Frank and Mary Winthrope born in Chilliwack, BC on December 26, 1932, at the height of the Depression.
Betty married Andy Halvorsen in 1951 in Chilliwack, B.C.
While Andy was in the Army, they lived at Vedder Army Housing Centre, where in 1952 their first son, Bruce, was born in Chilliwack Hospital. Once Andy was home to stay, Laura, Susan and John, were born all in a row, barely over a year apart.
At the tender age of 36, Betty returned to high school to obtain her graduation diploma. At that time, she had to attend right along with the teenagers. She continued on to University of Victoria, obtaining her teaching certificate, returning to Quesnel to teach at West Fraser and Red Bluff Elementary Schools.
Once the children had graduated and were off pursuing their own interests, Betty and Andy moved permanently from Quesnel to Quesnel Lake after building Elysia Resort, which they ran, including a number of expansions for several years. Betty also taught at the Horsefly Elementary School until taking early retirement.
Later, selling the resort gave Betty and Andy time to begin a new business, Quesnel Lake Gardens, supplied bedding plants for several years to outlets in Williams Lake and other communities in the area.
Betty became an avid and accomplished wood carver, well known for her lifelike replicas of area birds. She was often seen at arts and crafts fairs selling her carvings, often displayed in art stores all over B.C.
Betty and Andy officially retired and moved to Port Alice, where Betty continued her woodcarving, and also enjoyed her role as a brownie/guide leader, while volunteering with several community services. Betty had a lifelong interest in her family roots, her eyes lighting up if a new tidbit was discovered. She had a great love for music, dancing, and later, Mexico.
Betty spent an extended time in San Miguel de Allende visiting her daughter Sue, until overcome by her illness.
Betty is survived by her husband Andy, her loving children, Bruce (Angela), Laura, Susan (Virgilio), John (Jane) and her grandchildren, Erin and Jeffrey Green, Ben (Tanya) and Michael (Elizabeth) Halvorsen and great-grandson Theron.
Betty will also be missed by her brothers Don (Colleen), Allan (Marg) and Mel (Carol) Winthrope, sisters Norma Robertson (Stan), Lorraine Kerr (Bill) and Lynn Winthrope, and their families, including three generations of many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Mary Winthrope, her brother Gerald, niece Heather Josephy, and nephew, Ken Robertson.
The family extends their deepest appreciation to all those who sent supportive messages and prayers, the staff at ICU in Hospital de la Fe, San Miguel de Allende and MSA Abbotsford, and Nancy Barr at Quesnel Royal Bank for her supportive assistance.
Betty had a true joy for life, and we will all cherish the memory of her room brightening smile, bubbling, happy laughter and ever there twinkle in her eyes.
There will be no service at Betty’s request, however, a memorial tea for friends and family will be held in her honor at the home of Angela and Bruce at 3184 Boesem Road on August 26 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Anyone wishing to make a donation in Betty’s memory may do so to the charity of their choice.