Elizabeth Hope Gonnason (neé Bleakney) passed away peacefully at Sunrise Senior Living in Victoria, BC on October 1, 2021. Born November 27, 1918 to Stuart and Mary Bleakney in Ottawa, ON she had an active and inquiring mind her whole life.  She had a wonderful memory and diaries of her travels in Europe.

Her father was a Canadian trade commissioner and Betty spent her early years in Netherlands, Belgium and Brazil. While her parents lived abroad, Betty boarded at Havergal Girls School in Toronto for 5 years, and then joined her parents in Brazil and Norway. Her parents retired to Victoria where Betty attended St. Margaret’s.

After graduation, Betty attended Margaret Eaton School in Toronto to obtain her teaching certificate in Physical Education.  She taught at Crofton House in Vancouver for 8 years as the P.E. teacher.  Betty sold real estate for 5 years in Victoria and finished her career with the BC Dept. of Education.

She married Bob Gonnason in 1981 and they spent their retired life sharing many common interests traveling, gardening, square dancing and golfing.  Betty was a long-time member of the Victoria Golf Club and received her 75-year pin.

She is predeceased by her husband, Bob, in 2003 and survived by two stepdaughters, Nancy (Gordon) Stuart and Judy (Wayne) Dunsmuir, 6 grandchildren Andy, Dave, Kate, Chris, Rob and Caron, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Betty spent her final years at Carlton House and Sunrise Senior Living.  She enjoyed many activities there, especially crosswords, trivia games and bingo.

Many thanks to the wonderful, professional staff at Sunrise for their care of Betty in her final days.

A small family service will be held at St. Mary The Virgin, Anglican Church, 1701 Elgin Road in Oak Bay, BC on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 2:00 pm.  The service will also be streamed online at www.stmarysoakbay.ca/live

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to The Victoria Foundation or CNIB – BC/Yukon Division

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com

  • Dale Olesky

    Dear Nancy and Gordon, Although we met Betty only a few times, she was an amazing, vibrant woman who we admired greatly. She had a long and very fruitful life. I’m sure that you will miss her.

    Best wishes,
    Joy and Dale Olesky

  • Susan Hedley Holloway

    Nancy and Judy,
    I have a lovely memory of spending time on the beach in Maui with Betty and your Dad in 1993 with my parents as well. I had wanted to include a nice photo of the 2 of them but could not paste it here.
    If you would like to see it just send me your email…to spholloway@shaw.ca
    Sending my condolences to you both and your families…Best regards, Susan Hedley Holloway

  • Barb Ross

    Dear Nancy and Judy, I remember Aunt Betty with a great deal of fondness and respect. My sympathies to you and your families. Sincerely, Barb

  • Jennifer Wentworth

    Judy and Nancy,

    My condolences to you and your families on the passing of Aunt Betty. Although she and I didn’t have many opportunities to see one another in person, we kept in touch at Christmas. She was a lovely person.

    Love,
    Jennifer

  • Frances Dodsworth

    Nancy and family, sincere condolences.

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