Noel Pemberton-Billing

Noel Pemberton-Billing Obituary

PEMBERTON-BILLING, Noel "Mrs. P.B." December 28, 1927 - November 1, 2018 It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our mother and grandmother, Noel Veronica Pemberton-Billing, of Metchosin, age 90, at The Priory, on November 1, 2018. Noel is predeceased by her beloved husband, Bernard (d. 2000), and her youngest son, Marc (d. 2013). She is survived by her son Clive (Lynn) Johnston and her daughters, Veronica Pemberton-Billing and Rae Pemberton-Billing, as well as her grandchildren, Étienne Pemberton-Renaud and Violaine (Nazrul) Shikon. Born in London, England, on December 28, 1927, to Noel and Veronica Pemberton-Billing, Noel was always strong-willed, courageous, and fiercely independent. Having survived a few narrow misses during the Blitz, she emigrated to Canada as a young woman; and to the great chagrin of her upper middle-class family, she arrived in Victoria in 1952 to begin a 2-year stint as a farm worker. After many travails, she returned to Victoria in 1967, travelling across Canada by train with four children and 16 dogs in tow. Two years later, she bought a beautiful old house on Happy Valley Road in Metchosin, where she lived for nearly 50 years, operating Halliford Boarding Kennels. In 1978, after her first marriage had ended, she met and married her childhood friend, Bernard, and together they built "Halliford Canine Country Club" into a boarding kennel of great repute. To Noel, her home and family, her dogs, and her community were her three great loves. Civic engagement ran deep in her blood; she served on the Sooke District School Board, the (then) Victoria Public Library Board, and the inaugural (and subsequent) council of Metchosin. She loved the special spirit of Metchosin, embodied by its rural character, and worked tirelessly to preserve it. Noel was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, friend and neighbour, and is enormously missed. A memorial service commemorating the life of the formidable "Mrs. P.B." will be held at the Council Chambers, Metchosin Municipal Hall, on Saturday, May 11, at 2 pm. For more information please email [email protected].

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Published by Victoria Times Colonist from Apr. 27 to Apr. 29, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Noel Pemberton-Billing

4 Entries

Ernie

March 15, 2022

Sorry for your loss. Your mother was a truly remarkable woman.

Valerie & John Holden

May 11, 2019

We took our Sheltie, Pixie, to stay at the kennels for a few years, and so got to know Noel. Loved talking to her about the dogs and England. She was also a member of The 'Monarchist League of Victoria', of which I am Membership director, so we enjoyed talking about that also. A very lovely lady, so pleased to have had the privilege of meeting her.

Colleen Pinvidic

May 11, 2019

We were clients of the kennel and used to come over regularly from the mainland to visit family and were fortunate to meet Mrs. P-B and the lovely Bernard in December 1991. I was looking for boarding as our young golden retriever, Jasmine, had been abused at another kennel. While they were already fully booked for Christmas, Mrs. P-B listened to my story and said That's it, I am going to take your puppy! And so began an amazing 12 year connection where we felt our dog was cared for and pampered....quire likely better than we might....every time we visited Victoria. We brought our next dog a few times too!! i loved dropping off and having a chat where she would speak with love and pride for her family and would provide me with sage and non-judgemental advice on kids, dogs and life. In return for her counseling, I would bring her homemade pickles! A strong spirit, a kind soul and a just cool lady!

Jennifer Waters

April 29, 2019

My sympathies to her family. My parents took their dogs to her boarding kennel so many years ago. They loved the care she gave them

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for Noel Pemberton-Billing

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