Betty passed away peacefully on the evening of Tuesday, February 2. She will be greatly missed by her three children, Janice, Michael, and Anne; her grandchildren, Kris, Ben, and Sondra; and her great-grandson, Austin, as well as her many friends.
Elizabeth (Betty) May Moyls (née Fearn), daughter of William Davidson Fearn and May Allenby Fearn, was born February 24, 1930 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan and moved to Vancouver in 1938. As a young girl she worked with her sister Lorna (deceased) in her Scottish father’s grocery store on 61st and Main St. and attended Sir John Oliver High School. After graduation, Betty worked for B.C.Telephone and sang in a local choir where she met her future husband, Jim, who was studying to become a teacher. They married in 1952 and lived in Burnaby where Jim had his first teaching job and where their first child was born. They also attended Burnaby United Church and sang in the choir there. In 1960, they moved to Victoria, where Betty chose to be a stay at home Mom and raised their three children – Janice, Michael and Anne. For many years they also had students from the University of Victoria stay with them. Betty attended St. Matthias Church where she and Jim sang in the church choir as well as the newly–formed Chamber Singers for 12 years. They also enjoyed their annual summer holiday at Overbury Farm Resort on Thetis Island. Sadly, her husband died in 1977.
Betty then accepted a position at Sir James Douglas Elementary School where she worked part-time as a teacher’s assistant. She worked in both the library and with kindergarden children which she very much enjoyed. Upon retirement, Betty sold the family home and downsized first to a townhouse near the university and later to an apartment overlooking Oak Bay Avenue. In 1992, she joined the parish community of St. George the Martyr Church in Cadboro Bay, where she once again sang in the choir and helped out with the Vacation Bible Program. She also volunteered as an office assistant right up until the lockdown in March 2020. In the last year, she very much missed being at the Church and her weekly connection with her friends there.
Betty loved to sing, being involved in many choirs, often as a contralto soloist. In addition to her involvement in the church choirs, she also sang with the Vera Barclay Singers, the Amity Singers and the Victoria Chamber Singers and later in life joined a choir at the Monterey Seniors Centre. For many years, Betty competed in the Greater Victoria Music Festival and in 1965 was a contender for the esteemed Rose Bowl. She was a runner up for the award, but when she arrived home, a bowl of roses was waiting for her – a winner in her husband’s eyes. She continued her work with the music festival, chairing the vocal section for five years, after which, she continued as a volunteer. A patron of the arts, Betty had season’s tickets to the symphony, opera, and theatre and regularly attended both student and faculty concerts at the University of Victoria.
Betty was also an avid traveler. In her retirement years, she and her close friend Bill Pentland had many wonderful adventures in places both local and global until his passing in 2007. Betty continued to go on bus tours and cruises for many years to come, always enjoying meeting new people and exploring new places. When she could no longer travel, she explored new times and places as a reader of historic novels.
Always practical, Betty moved from her Oak Bay condominium to an apartment near St. George’s Church. After her 89th birthday she decided to move into assisted living where she lived right up until her passing, enjoyed good food, small excursions, and bingo. When asked what she was most proud of in her life, Betty replied, “the accomplishments of my children.”
In her final days, those in her world appreciated Betty’s kind and optimistic nature and her infectious laugh. Passing peacefully at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, three weeks short of her 91st birthday, our dear Betty enjoyed a full life – and here’s to a life well lived!
Deepest appreciation to those at Kensington Manor who were supportive and kind to Betty this past year, to her long-time friend Frank May, who took care of so many details, and very deep bow of thanks to the medical staff at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, 4 South, especially Doctor Slater and Nurses Hanna, Jeremy and Jessica for such compassionate comfort care.
A Celebration of Betty’s Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a Tribute Fund for the University of Victoria’s Department of Music will be established in Betty’s memory.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Laural Blake
Janice, my heart is with you as you navigate this difficult transition. No matter our age, it’s always hard to lose our Mother. Eventually there is more love than loss. Sending love, Laural