Margaret Agnes Elizabeth ‘Betty’ White
December 20, 1919 – December 15, 2019
Margaret Agnes Elizabeth “Betty” White passed away peacefully on Dec. 15, 2019, in Ashcroft, British Columbia, Canada just five days short of her 100th birthday. She was born Dec. 20, 1919, in Rossland, British Columbia, Canada.
On Jan. 25, 1941, she married E. Godfrey White and began a life with surprises, challenges and love. Godfrey was a machinist when they married and had their first four children. While living in Kimberley, they took in the first of several children in crisis to provide stability and love until a permanent solution could be found. In his early 30s Godfrey was diagnosed with MS and Betty’s world would shift. Godfrey decided to study for the Anglican priesthood – a far different church world from her Pentecostal community. Betty studied along with him to prepare herself to be a support to him and the churches he would serve. During this time, they welcomed a fifth child. Godfrey’s first parish was in Nakusp, British Columbia and after two years, Godfrey was called to serve at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Grand Forks. The seven years in Grand Forks found her again nurturing a big garden, canning fruit, making clothes and taking on the role of newspaper distributor for a few extra dollars. During these years, several additional young people were assimilated into the family, often with little to no notice, and Betty would set another place at the table, make up another bed and embrace their needs.
In 1966 Godfrey accepted a call to St Martin’s Episcopal Church in Moses Lake, Washington where they spent the next 14 years. During the time, Betty worked at Penney’s department store where she enjoyed interacting with customers and coworkers. She continued to support Godfrey’s work and was as much a part of the church community as he.
In 1980, Betty and Godfrey retired and moved to Logan Lake, British Columbia. Full retirement was not to be as up until Godfrey’s death in 1995, he did “fill-in” work for churches around the area and Betty always accompanied him, often playing the organ for the services, assisting with marital counseling and leading a Bible study in their home.
In the last several years of her life, Betty moved to an “assisted living” community in Kamloops and finally to “residential care” in Ashcroft where she was surrounded by people who cared for her in an exemplary way.
Betty is survived by her sister Ruth (Roy) Daly of Vernon, British Columbia; daughters Marilyn Smoch of Krestova, British Columbia, Su (Randy) Visker of Moses Lake, Judy Bunkelman of Ellensburg and daughter-in-law Phyllis White of Ashcroft, British Columbia; 20 grandchildren and 54 great- and great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Godfrey, son the Rev. Evan ”Jim” White, daughter Barbara Fox, brothers David and Russell Evans and three great-grandchildren.
These are some of the facts of Betty’s life. What cannot be expressed is her spirit. During the years of raising the family, Betty had to be the “practical” parent as Godfrey was not. It was only in her later years that Betty was truly able to “play,” and she did so well. She was game for dyeing her hair red for the “girls’” weekend with her daughters, walking to support MS and taking her scooter to a store to buy multiple flats of flowers so her daughters could plant her pots and gardens. Although her physical body slowed, her mind did not and much laughter and joy filled her room during frequent family visits. She treasured her family and friends, both those who were lost before her and those who were present at her death. She remained generous of spirit and gradually became a tiny bit less practical. She loved and was loved. She will be missed. 494 Mom (God be with you till we meet again).
A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at Logan Lake Christian Fellowship in Logan Lake, British Columbia on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, at 11 a.m.