Betty was born on November 20, 1942 in Montreal, PQ and passed at home in Victoria, BC on a beautiful spring morning, March 3, 2015 after a 40 year battle with ALS. She is survived by her devoted husband of 49 years, Terry and their children, daughter, Tracy (Dillon), son, Drew and Robyn (Nick). She will be dearly missed by her sister, Lorraine Welsford and brother-in-law, Duthie Welsford (Vancouver); her nephews, David Welsford and his wife, Julie Welsford and children, Aidan, Fraser and Fiona (North Carolina) and Michael Welsford and his wife, Cecilia and their son, Kyle (Vancouver). The loss will be felt deeply by Angela Stacey, our close family friend, (soul sister) and Betty’s care giver for the past 10 years. We are so grateful to Angela for all she was to Mom. A Little Flower Academy Graduate, Betty went on to graduate from St. Paul’s Nursing School and was most proud of her role as a nurse; she worked for several Lower Mainland Hospitals before becoming a full time wife and mother. Betty was diagnosed at an unusually young age with what was then a rare disease, ALS; she lived for 40 years with it, every passing year a new challenge, most aggressively this past year. Her sense of humour, her ingenuity and most powerfully, her faith were an inspiration for all who encountered her.
The Campbell Family would like to express their sincere thanks to Dr. Ty and Dr. Gheis for their genuine sense of care for both Betty and Terry and to the ALS Society of British Columbia for their many contributions to Betty’s care over the years. We also send a heartfelt thank you to the teams from both VIHA and Hospice for all of their support throughout this last year.
A service will be held at Sacred Heart Church, 4040 Nelthrope Street, Victoria on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at Noon with a reception to follow at 1:00 pm in the adjacent hall. In lieu of flowers, we ask you to donate to a charity of choice or Shekinah Homes Society The Ark (formerly L’Arche), 3114 Irma Street, Victoria, BC V9A 1S8. Mom admired Jean Vanier and his work throughout her adult life.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
19 Responses
Dear Terry and Family
Betty & I graduated from SPH in 1964. We were part of a small group of students all with a surname that began with “M”. We were a tight-knit group who became close friends.
Over the years I have often thought of Betty. She was fun, uber- intelligent, caring & compassionate.
I’m so sorry that Betty’s life had many challenges, but knowing Betty I know she met every day with grace and dignity.
I will cherish her memory.
On behalf of my husband, Michael and me we extend our love & deepest sympathy,
Barbara Fullerton
Through my older sister I came to know Betty ” in little ways”. Visiting Betty a couple of times in her home in Victoria, once with my sisters and once with my husband was a gift. Betty was welcoming, caring, and generous. It was her smile and serenity and her ability to bring laughter to the moment that captivated. We were bridesmaids at my sister’s wedding looking like sea foam bookends on either side of the bride. We thank God there are people like Betty. We are blessed having known her, even a little. We know her family holds memories of Betty in a sacred space. We hold Betty’s family in our hearts.
Jo-Anne and Rick LOUGHRAN
Terry, Tracy, Drew and Robyn
My love and prayers are with all of you.
Betty was a beautiful and remarkable person, wife and mother.
She withstood incredible challenges with faith and optimism.
Our fond memories of her are truly a blessing.
Love Sherry
LFA UBC SPH
Terry Campbell and family — my condolences for your loss. Terry, I hope to see you at our classmate get-together this June.. Best wishes, Jack McDaniel (class of 1960)
Tracy, warm thoughts are with you and your family as you mourn the loss of your mother. There is no template for grief and loss. We each do it in our own way in our own time.
William Booth
Dear Tracy – hold on tight to your Mum’s memories – she is with you and living in your heart forever. Please pass on my condolences to your family. Your Mum will be greatly missed by everyone whose life she touched.
Linda
Tracy, my thoughts are with you and your family. Wishing you peace.
Le-Ann
Betty’s legacy of faith and hope will live on in the treasures she left in the lives of all she touched. What I know of Betty’s life and the gifts of her courage and deep and abiding faith in her living and in her dying has come through knowing her amazing and loving daughter, Tracy. My condolences to all of her family and friends.
Julianne Kasmer
Tracy, Dillon and family,
My deepest sympathy to you at the passing of your wonderful mother. I know you have such lovely memories of her which will sustain you over the week and months to come. We do not have to hold our loved ones in our arms to hold them in our hearts. I wish you peace and comfort.
Love Cheryl
So very sad to hear that Betty had passed away, she was a wonderful, brave lady and will be sadly missed by all her family.
I was privileged to have met her on several occasions when I visited Tracy and Dillon.
Jane Fenn ( Dillons mother)