Elizabeth Hope Gonnason (neé Bleakney) passed away peacefully at Sunrise Senior Living in Victoria 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 step daughters, 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 on Nov. 6 at 2 pm at St. Mary the Virgin, Oak Bay. 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
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Elizabeth Gonnason nee Bleakney November 1918 – October 2021..
mccall gardens funeral and cremation service
Décès pour la Ville: Victoria, Province: Colombie britanique