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Betty Ann Ingham
June 13, 1953 - September 3, 2021
Tribute
The Cowichan Valley has lost a real gem. Our kind, introverted, crafty, well spoken Survivor fan has left us. She loved jewellery, the shopping channel, the old “Liquidation World”, men in uniforms (“all of them”) and her secret admirer, “Bob”.
She is survived by her mother, Marian, and her siblings, Valerie (Bruce) Graham, Donna Ingham and baby brother John (Isla) Ingham. Also her nieces and nephews, Alison (Alex), Michelle (Aaron), Tyson (Julia), Tyrone (Eva), Casey and Alex and Bobby, Eric and her great nieces and nephews.
Her dad, Robert George Ingham, passed away in 2011. She leaves many friends from work and neighbourhood who miss her like crazy.
Born in Kings Daughters hospital on June 13, 1953, she grew up in the Cowichan Valley. Betty Ann shared happy memories from her growing up years. Both of her parents came from generations of living on Vancouver Island.
She recalled happy times spent in Qualicum and family drives on a Sunday night taking them to Cowichan Bay or Cherry Point. Often the kids would be given a treat like candy or a toy.
In more recent years Betty Ann and Marian enjoyed picnic lunches at Transfer Beach, Rathtrevor Beach or Hecate Park. She went to the one room Koksilah School that is still standing close to her home of 64 years. Her favorite teacher, Mrs. Moore, was probably not surprised that Betty Ann showed a strong preference for the arts over math.
In Grade one Betty realized pretty quickly that the faster she solved the math problem, the sooner she could turn it over and start drawing on the blank side. It did not really matter to her that the answer was a guess and completely wrong. She might have been better at the maths if she could have seen the actual math question.
Betty Ann cheated at the eye exam 3 years in a row at school by memorizing the letters on the vision test. The girl did not like failure but sure appreciated her glasses once the jig was up.
Right after high school, Betty Ann worked at an insurance office in Victoria and was secretary to the manager of the Bank of Montreal in Duncan. She started work at VIHA in 1985, where she really shone. She loved her job and the people she worked with at Home and Community Care and the Diabetes Program. Clients would comment on her kind, friendly and calm manner and she received 2 awards of Excellence during her work years with VIHA.
She was like “Radar” in MASH, able to read situations and know what needed to be done before others even realized there was a problem. Wally Churchill credits her with having the “voice of an angel” and loved his appointment reminders. One client became enamoured with Betty Ann’s lovely personality and that was when “Bob” came to life as her “husband”. To his credit, Bob was her soulmate, a man of mystery, had a strong but silent presence and was an overall stand up guy but he never did bring home a paycheque and he loved to play the ponies. She kept a picture of Bob on her desk and we revelled in Bob stories.
Betty Ann is a believer in reincarnation and we should look out for a tall, drop-dead gorgeous gal with lustrous, red curly hair (hence, her picture of choice above) who is a total princess but still super kind and talented as well. We are pretty sure she will call the Cowichan Valley home and have a twinkle in her eye when she sees us.
Betty Ann was very grateful for all the help and support from friends and family. Betty Ann wanted to thank Wendy, Kathy,
Dr. Rimmer, all her good friends from work, her neighbour Yvonne, Davinder and Kuljeet, and her family.
Some people leave such a lasting impression that is it’s hard to imagine life without them. Betty Ann was one of those people but we are still have awesome memories. Betty Ann also loved Chinese food and the wisdom of the fortune cookie message. Recently she cracked open the cookie and it told her to tell the important people in her life that she loved them. Well, we love you too Betty Ann! Your friends and family
No service by request. The family will have a celebration of life in the summer of 2022. If people choose to, they may make a donation to the Cowichan Hospice in memory of Betty Ann. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Cowichan Hospice and Cairnsmore Place for the excellent care and compassion shown towards our sister , Betty Ann.
The family would like to thank HW Wallace Cremation & Burial for their service .
Condolences
Send a condolence, light a candle and/or share a memory, click "Send Condolence". Once your message has been approved by the moderator it will be posted to the website.
From: H.W. Wallace Cremation & Burial Centre
H.W. Wallace Cremation & Burial Centre staff send our condolences to family and friends.
From: Wendy Raistrick
Relation: Friend
The very best kind of friend, coworker and human being. You will be so missed a dear Betty Ann. Prayers and love to your family ❤️
From: Jordanna Haire
Relation: Co-worker
Rest In Peace BA! I loved knowing you and enjoying your sense of humour! You will be greatly missed ♥️
From: Maureen Davidson
Relation: Coworker and dear friend
Bettyann was one a kind. A truly caring, kind and giving friend and coworker. She always had a smile and such a great sense of humour. She was fun to work with and she made me look forward to Mondays. She was a true friend and I will miss her very much.
From: Angie Sampson
Relation: Co-worker/friend
Well Betty-Ann., your time came and went without a lot of us knowing you were unwell. It is always so hard when someone passes and you have not seen them recently. I believe you were a rare gem. Everyday happy at work. We had a lot of good chuckles about BA’s boyfriends. Mumbles Mike comes to mind. Lolol. There was one though that came after and he was a lifer. Dear old Bob. I think I may have introduced them. Hahahahh. Betty-Ann never wanted to miss anything and always wondered what we talked about when she was not there. I know how much she loved her family, nieces and nephews. But seriously, I wish I had gotten another visit in. Miss ya BA
From: Joanne Evans
Relation: Old Family friend from koksilah
I’m so sorry to hear of Betty Ann’s passing. Best wishes to the family.
From: Janet Stoddart
Relation: Friend and co worker
Betty Anne made me smile 😃 whenever I saw her. Even when things were stressful she could roll her eyes and still make me smile. She was a plus to our office and to our world. Maybe I will see you in the next life. Thank you for brightening our days
From: Eileen Dirom
Relation: Coworker/friend
Bettyann your presence on this earth will be missed. You were the voice voice of home support all those years ago when we worked together. The laughs we shared will always be in my heart. I appreciated you lending an ear many times when I was going through challenges with my son and we shared stories as you also had an atypical nephew. You are a dear person Bettyann. Thank you for being you❤❤❤
From: Val Crossley
Relation: Colleague and friend
Betty Ann (we called her BA), Laura, and I worked together for years at Cowichan Home Support, but had early on discovered that we were all born the same year within 5 days of each other. (Out of an office of 10 people if that wasn’t cosmic I don’t know what was). So we were a very connected Gemini threesome for years — sharing many wonderful dinners together at the old Emerald Palace, with, always, lots of laughter, and some unique birthday gatherings including a pj party watching the OJ Simpson white Broncho escape, which was a particular favourite of BA’s. BA was very keen to read our tea leaves at our dinners, and occasionally tarot cards and she was very good at it. There was definitely an open minded and spiritual side to her. I suspect she remained curious to the end about what lay beyond this life. BA continued to work at Cowichan Home Support (eventually VIHA) long after most of our original group of co-worker/friends had left, and we kept in touch for a long time, but as the old gang moved away, or retired, we stopped gathering in recent years. But I thought of her often and always hoped I might bump into her somewhere. I am so sorry that our last few efforts to get together didn’t pan out — it seemed as though there would always be another opportunity. Sadly, sometimes there isn’t. But I will never forget her. She was much much more than a colleague as is evident in the condolences expressed at this site. She had a way of working her way into all our hearts. She was smart and sassy and funny and unforgettable. Times were not always easy in our workplace in those years, but BA was always uplifting and cheerful. My most sincere condolences to her mum and sisters, nieces, nephews — she talked about you all so often, I recognized all your names, and you truly were her world. She will be missed by a lot of people, myself included. Rest in peace, my friend.
Service Schedule
Private service arrangements have been made.
Memorial Gifts
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