Elizabeth (Betty) Maud Denbigh, born May 21, 1922 in Peterborough, Ontario, passed away peacefully in her 101st year, on April 14, 2023, in Victoria, British Columbia.
Mum – Aunt Betty – grew up loving horses, playing hockey, tennis, sailing and canoeing with her sisters, aunts, uncles and many cousins at the Lakefield College School in Lakefield, On. At 17 she travelled with her aunt Billy throughout the eastern United States as a member of a womens’ demonstration hockey team. Along with tremendous athletic abilities, Mum had strong artistic sensitivities and love for music, both of which later in life became strong interests. At age 22, she left Lakefield, On. for Victoria, BC, to help her Uncle Ken and Aunt Betty with their new born son, cousin Ken. Loving Victoria, Mum stayed and became a Dental Assistant where she flourished. There in Victoria, she met the love of her life, Alastair. They married in 1948 and with a brave desire of adventure, belief in one another, created many wonderful memories traveling and living throughout Canada with their sons Chris and Hugh.
Settling in Nanaimo in 1965, Alastair became the Scientific Illustrator for the Pacific Biological Research Station. Retiring in 1986, they moved back to Victoria where they met so many years earlier.
During Alastair’s retirement, Betty became an integral part of Alastair’s watercolour paintings, truly a connected passion. While Alastair painted, never idle, Betty taught herself classical guitar and piano. Betty and Alastair had 58 years together before Alastair’s passing in 2006.
Predeceased by her loving husband, Alastair, her parents Winifred and Archie Lampman, sisters Paddy, Shirley, Katharine and niece Erica. She is survived by her sons Chris and Hugh (Vanessa), and her nephews Michael (Diane), Peter (Arletta), and many other nephews, nieces and cousins. Mum’s passion and love of life for her family will be deeply missed.
Per Mum’s wishes, there is no service. The family would like to thank the Royal Jubilee Hospital Doctors, Nurses, all care givers, and friend Za, for the wonderful end of life comfort and care.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Ken L. Mackenzie
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Mike Clarke Aunt Betty was easily my favorite Aunt, and our memories of her and Al will always be cherished. Days in Calgary, in Lakefield, and on the Island; and at Highlight, and Lumreek; On horseback, camping, canoeing and just sitting around with family, Mum, Dad, Granny, Diane and the various aunts and uncles and cousins Chris and Hugh. Those wonderful memories will always keep us company. We love you Aunt Betty, and we miss you. Mike and Diane.
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peter l clarke Hearts open and thoughts fixed on Aunt Betty’s kids, my cousins and best friends, while they endure this deep loss. Aunty Betty was, along with Uncle Al, the very best…the most special…kindest person that I was so extraordinarily lucky to have as a bright light guiding me; at times magically over great distances in my formative years. I always wanted to grow up possessing even a small fraction of her powerful warmth and wisdom. Bye bye Aunt Betty. Arlee and I will miss you; I hope somehow that you know just how much. Pete
I know Betty was one of my t fthyather’ favourites and later Al as well. My parents teased me that Betty D was one of my three Betty “wet nurses”!
I got to know Betty and her family while living at Women’s in the early sixties. A very special time was with the Denbighs in Nanaimo ten years later. They were all happy in their own element.
I thank Betty for all her stories, especially of her life with Al in BC’s interior.
Betty’s warmth is still felt. Ken Jr.