It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our Mum, Mary Elizabeth (Betty) lmlach, at the age of 90.
Mum was born in Glasgow, Scotland. She worked at a thread factory during WWII making thread for parachutes. Ironically, she met our dad who served in the British Army as a paratrooper, after the war.
Mum and dad emigrated to Canada in 1947 and after some time in Vancouver, they settled in Campbell River to start a family life. ln 1969, they moved to Victoria which Mum loved because it reminded her of her days in Scotland.
In1973, Mum started volunteering for the Hospital Auxiliary putting her vast knitting and crochet talents to work in order to help raise money for the gift shops.
In1975, Mum started to work for Goldstream Catering. Actually, she didn’t consider it “work” as the events were social and the staff was like family. The highlight of Mum’s time with Goldstream Catering was the David Foster Charity Events where she was assigned to the head table with David Foster. We often chuckled that David was the son she never had. Through her work at Goldstream Catering, Mum started a wedding table decorating business. Our house was often full of flowers for upcoming weddings as well as the baby clothes she had made for the Auxiliary Gift Shops.
In 1978, Mum returned to Scotland to visit her family, a tradition she regularly carried on over the next 20+ years. Mum travelled with her sisters, Cathy and Hannah, abroad to Europe, Alaska and many other adventures in between including the island of Malta.
Mum (also lovingly referred to as Grannie) loved Woodwards and never missed a $1.49 day. Anyone who knew our Mum could definitely recollect her fondness of ‘the good old days’ of Wardair as well.
Upon reaching her 85th birthday in May 2008, Mum received a 35 year volunteer pin from the Hospital Auxiliary. Due to failing eyesight in her later years, Mum had to retire from her volunteer work. She did, however, continue to knit and crochet lovely baby items for her great grandchildren.
On behalf of the family, we would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Beacon Home Services and the wonderful staff at the Waterview Unit at the Gorge Hospital, for their care of our Mum in her final years.
Mum is survived by her three sons: Alex (Kathy), lan (Chris), Glen; her daughter Catherine; six grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. As well as family in Britain including her sister Hannah and her family and brother Billy and his family.
No service by request.
ln lieu of flowers, a donation to the Hospital Auxiliary gift shops in Mum’s name would be greatly appreciated.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
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Brenda Austin
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Glen imlach Ode to my Scottish Mother
From the streets of Glasgow
For which she came
Packed a big wallop
In that “wee” frame
Set in her ways
She could not be swayed
Her Scottish ways
Had formed and stayedThrough the years
“Tough love ” was the rule
Giving her the title
“Stubborn as a mule”
She stuck to her guns
Through thick and thin
With nary a thought
Off loss nor winRoses were her flower
Her fragrance would linger
Just watch out
For the thorns near your fingerHer cooking was awful
Truth be told
Turnips and “Tatties ”
All to be boiled
“Time for dinner”
Gave me a fright
No matter , the dug (dog )
Would eat well that nightHarsh was the land
For which she knew
In time her tenderness
Grew and grewBlossoming and flowering
As she aged
Time now to turn
The page“Grannie sweet Grannie ”
She had become
Mother no more
Her job was doneFrolic and play
With those “wee wains”
Makes me wish I was a kid againAnd now she is gone
Our Scottish Mother
God has her now
With her sister and brotherGlen
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Peter & Leona Voth Our heartfelt sympathy to the Imlach family. Remembering the good old days on Baron Pl. Peter And Leona.
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Terri Aylward The ‘Grannieisms’ will live on forever. Grannie had her own vernacular that provided all who knew her with great entertainment.
Thank you for the wonderful memories you have left our daughter, Grannie. Olivia will cherish all the time you spent together and the things you taught her.
R.I.P. Grannie.
Terri
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Albert Norval It was a sad day when i heard about my aunty Betty’s passing. Although we are in Scotland she visited here on many occasions and was good fun both in Glasgow and when we stayed with my aunt Cath in Plymouth.
We visited with her in the early 90’s when my wife Catriona, sons Alan and Craig were made very welcome by Betty and her family both in Victoria and Campbell River.
When i told my mother Hannah (her sister) she was very upset and kept saying how Betty was a hard working ‘wuman’ as her obituary shows. She also said ‘just 2 of the wee McNee’s left’.Catherine i was also very sad to hear about Rick i found his obituary on this site and was moved by the lovely comments.
To all the Imlach’s i hope you are well.
I remember Betty with much fondness she will be missed both in Glasgow and by her family in Plymouth.
Betty was such a fun loving, sweet, kind person, I will miss her quiet smile, those sparkling blue eyes and quick wit. I feel blessed to have known her for the past 3 years
My sincere condolences to her lovely family
Always remember the good times!
big hugs
Brenda