Elizabeth "Betty" Bunyan

BUNYAN, Elizabeth (Betty) 1925 - 2021 We celebrate the life of Elizabeth (Betty) Bunyan. She passed away peacefully on December 23, 2021 with her three children by her side. This remarkable woman spent her early years at Saskatoon Lake in the Alberta Peace River country. Her love of reading and learning was evident early on, as she rapidly progressed through every available reader in her one room, multi grade schoolhouse. As a teenager, she met her future husband, John at high school in nearby Wembley, Alberta. During the 1930s depression Betty continued her learning while working hard on the farm. She became a school teacher at nearby Canuck School, Wembley School and Oaklands Elementary in Victoria. In 1966, John and Betty moved to Victoria. In Victoria, Betty enjoyed many rounds of golf at Ardmore Golf Club, and hands of bridge at Goward House with a group of like-minded friends. A keen gardener, she enjoyed growing her own vegetables, canning fruits and vegetables, and grinding her own wheat for home made bread. The family jokingly called her the 'original hippy'. She will be long remembered for her delicious desserts. Her flapper pie, pumpkin pie and chocolate rolls were the highlight of many a family dinner. Her tradition of transporting these treats to family dinners in a shallow cardboard box has created new family vernacular called a Betty Box. Most recently, Betty looked forward to receiving two newspapers every day, so she could keep current on news and polish off the crossword puzzles (even the cryptic!) by tea time. Betty was predeceased by her husband of 72 years, John in 2020. She is survived by her son Greg (Pinder Cheema), daughters Rhonda (Jerry Hunter) and Rosalyn (Robert Gutierrez), grandson Robert Gutierrez, granddaughters Leanne Gutierrez (Kyle Herman) and Nicole Bunyan and great grandchildren Brayden and Taya Herman. She was a mentor, role model and guiding light to us all and will be greatly missed. A family gathering will be held at a later date.