Died peacefully on November 7, 2012, in Victoria B.C. in her 94th year. Betty was born April 14, 1919, in Maple Creek, Sask. During the Depression, she lived with a great aunt in Oak Bay where she graduated from high school and trained as a secretary. Her husband and the love of her life, Richard (Dick) Lake, died in March, 2005. Survived by daughter, Liz (Michael) Graham; son, Peter (Andrea Wilhelm); granddaughters, Christina Harris (Kathryn Saunders), of Duncan, BC, Janna Harris Bakla (Hakan Bakla) of Vancouver BC and Clara Lake, of Haida Gwaii, (who arrived just in time for Betty’s 90th birthday); step-grandchildren, Flora (Alastair) Fyfe-Graham and Angus Graham and step-great-grandchild, Fraser Fyfe-Graham of London UK.
Married November 14, 1946, in Vancouver, Betty, Dick and their two children, Elizabeth (Liz) and Peter, moved to Edmonton in 1958 for seven years. During five of those years Betty was an elected trustee and chair with the Jasper Place School Board where, during those baby boom years, half the town’s population was in school. The Lake family moved back to Vancouver in 1965. Dick and Betty lived in Calgary from 1975 to 1979. Dick retired from PWA and they then moved to Ardmore in North Saanich. Betty was a proud member of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, where, as she said, she did the “holy laundry” for many years as a member of the altar guild. Betty was the family link for many nieces and nephews throughout Canada and the U.S. She kept them all close to her heart; always present for support, comfort and a birthday phone call. Betty overcame many serious health challenges, and her mantra until very recently was “You’re stuck with me; I’m too ornery to quit.” Betty was predeceased by her two older brothers, Gwynne and Keith, her older sister, Joan Rothman and her younger sister, Alison Newcomb. The family was deeply moved by the warmth and love shown to Betty by the staff community of Amica at Douglas House, where she lived for the past seven years.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at Holy Trinity Church, 1319 Mills Road, North Saanich. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
-
Nancy Bain
My Mother, Louise Hooper, (Roly Hooper,d. 1997) has asked me to send her memories of Betty and Dick. They truly enjoyed their friendship in Edmonton and again in Victoria. It was only a few days before we saw the obituary that Mum was reminiscing about the fun times they had had together. I had hoped to tell you in person at the memorial service but I may not be able to get there. Mum is now in the James Bay Lodge and doesn’t go any farther than the garden any more. She is a very bright and chipper 98 but in a wheelchair which makes it awkward for her. Our thoughts are with you. You have lost a lovely, exuberant lady.