November 25, 1926 - May 9, 2019
Elizabeth Miller Blackley was born second youngest and second daughter to a family of 7 children in Edinburgh, Scotland. The family moved to Glasgow as the Second World War approached and Betty, at the age of 14, completed her schooling and joined the work force as a secretary at a plant manufacturing Sunderland Flying Boats. She lived a busy life during the war years in Glasgow. She struck up a close friendship with Betty McGuire a neighbour, and the two Bettys were inseparable thru the war years.
At the conclusion of the war, Betty began seeing a young man who lived in their neighbourhood named Campbell Gardner. Betty decided he was the right man for her and soon the two were wed in Mosspark Glasgow. Housing was at a premium after the war and with realization that there would be a long wait to find their own home the newlywed couple decided to venture to Canada where Campbell had found work in Montreal.
Opportunity to move west came up a few years later, Campbell accepted a position in North Vancouver and Betty as the principal's secretary to the newly opened BCIT. A house was purchased in Lynn Valley and Betty and Campbell would go on to raise 2 sons, Alex and Colin there.
Betty stayed at home to raise her boys and was a very involved hockey mom, soccer mom, band mom and great mom to all kids in the neighbourhood. After her children reached high school Betty became an employee of School District #44, first as an assistant in kindergarten classes and then library services.
Betty remained on the North Shore for a few years after the passing of her beloved Campbell in 1992 and saw her family grow with the addition of 5 grandchildren (Shane, Zachary, Meghan, Sarai and Campbell), whom she doted on. Betty relocated to the Okanagan where she lived in Penticton. She enjoyed many friendships while living there and led a busy life as a hockey, soccer, band grandma as well as being active in community events with her good friend John Eadie.
Special thank you to the care Betty received from her daughter in laws Rachel and Kim. The many people in our wonderful community, special friend Agnes Kelly, Dr. Elizabeth Watters and her staff, all staff members at The Concorde, Moog House Hospice and the Penticton Regional Hospital team who always went above and beyond in providing care. No service by request.