Betty Eileen Glommen

With Sorrow we announce that Betty Glommen, born in London, England on February 23, 1923 died peacefully in Victoria on August 16, 2022.  She was predeceased by her husband, Stein, of 50 years in 1996, and leaves behind to cherish her memory her daughter, Anne; son-in-law, Kostek; grandchildren, Kasia, Andrew and Sonia; three great grandchildren, Matthew, Sarah and Oliver; and nieces and nephews in both England and Norway.

After studying dressmaking, Betty was employed by Sir Norman Hartnell, the Queen’s Couturier. King George VI and the Queen travelled to Canada in 1938, and it was for this occasion that she worked on the Queen’s dresses. She was fifteen at the time.

Betty and Stein were married in 1945, in London. In 1953, Stein left for Labrador and Betty, and young daughter Anne, joined him in Montreal the following year. They spent 12 years in Montreal before moving West, first to Vancouver and then to Duncan in 1972.

It was here that they purchased acreage, renovated the old farm house and created a property they called “Paradise”.  They had pigs, chickens, bees, fruit trees, nut trees, and large vegetable and flower gardens. Betty won many prizes for their produce in the Cowichan Fall Fair, especially for her walnuts.

She was bereft when her beloved Stein died suddenly from a heart attack in 1996 and three years later, she left their Paradise to live at River’s Edge in Duncan. She was very active all her life, and her senior years didn’t slow her down. She served as President on River’s Edge Council, she volunteered at the Senior’s Center, she enjoyed carpet bowling, swimming, gardening, duplicate bridge, (which she continued to play online during COVID) and she loved dancing.

Her greatest pleasure was spending time with family and friends. Her 80’s and 90’s were her busiest travelling years. She took the family on many trips: Hawaii, Kenya, the Galapagos Islands, Fiji,  Belize, to name a few, as well as several reunions with family members in England. And she always enjoyed weekends at the cottage on Thetis Island. Betty truly embraced life until her last days.

On February 25, 2023 a memorial Service will be held at 1:00pm at St. Peter, Quamichan Anglican Church, 5800 Church Road, Duncan, followed at 2:30pm by a Tribute to her Life at River’s Edge Club House, 111 McKinstry Road, Duncan.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the charity of one’s choice.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com