Tribute

The Walker Family would like to honour and remember the life of Betty Jean Elizabeth Walker, who passed away earlier this year in Oliver BC. Betty was born in Estevan Saskatchewan on November 15, 1925. Her family were farmers in the early years, and experienced extreme hardships during the drought of the early 1930’s. The Canadian government offered financial assistance to farmers who experienced hardship during the drought, enabling Betty’s family to purchase a large plot of land to farm in Cecil Lake BC, which is still in the family today. Two of Betty’s older brothers graduated from UBC in Engineering and Forestry, and they supported Betty enabling her to graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce at UBC. Upon graduation, jobs were scarce for new graduates. Betty secured employment as a flight attendant with Canadian Pacific Airlines, demonstrating initiative and adaptability. It was during this time that Betty met her future husband John Walker, who was a purser for CP Rail. In the early days of the marriage, John obtained a position with the freight division of CP, managing a fleet of trucks based in New Westminster, where the young couple moved and started their family with the birth of two sons Gregory and Kent. John accepted an excellent career opportunity—a management role with Consolidated Freight in Mississauga, Ontario. After the family moved and established themselves in Ontario, Betty went on to further her education and earned her teaching certificates. Betty taught grades 6 and 7 her entire career. After retiring, Betty chose to move closer to her siblings in BC.  John and Betty purchased their retirement home in Oliver BC. Shortly after moving to Oliver, Betty took an active role in the local Blue Bird Conservation movement and gained recognition for her efforts. Both Betty and John enjoyed taking many trips that involved birding, including the annual Grebe migration in Salmon Arm. Betty frequently spent holidays and extended weekends with her son Gregory, daughter-in-law Thalita, and granddaughter Charlotte, who traveled from Richmond, BC to visit.  Betty was predeceased by her husband, John Walker, in addition to her brothers and sisters. More recently, her eldest son, Gregory Walker, passed away on May 25, 2024. Betty is lovingly remembered by her daughter-in-law, Thalita Walker, and her granddaughter, Charlotte Walker, both residents of Richmond, BC.  She is also survived by her son, Kent Walker, and his wife, Liz Dumas Walker, of Toronto, Ontario. Betty lived a long and fulfilling life, passing away only a few months before her 100th birthday. Her family deeply cherishes her memory and feels her absence.