1916-2018
Elizabeth Joan Purcell (nee Callow) made her
grand entrance at her family’s Dublin home on April
29, 1916. Although she was born during the height
of the Irish Rebellion, Betty’s childhood in Dublin
was idyllic. In her loving household she held a
special place in everyone’s heart as the youngest
of William and Katherine’s five daughters, following
sisters May, Wynn, Patricia and Doreen. Betty
attended the Hall School for Young Ladies and
spent long summers at the seaside on the Irish
coast before star t ing her br ief career as
receptionist to a Dublin Law firm, where she was
known as the girl with the golden voice. Betty met
the love of her l i fe when dashing young
engineering student and water polo team captain
Ralph Purcell added his name to her dance card at
a Trinity College dance. World War II would soon
take them on a new journey. Ralph enlisted as an
officer with the RAF and they were married during
the blitz in London in 1941. Following the war, Ralph
was stationed in Hong Kong with the Royal Corp of
Engineers. Still in London, Betty visited the shipping
offices daily to secure a spot on a recommissioned
war ship to sail via the Suez Canal to join Ralph in
their first peacetime home in Stanley Bay. Their
time in Hong Kong was a fun period of their lives as
young newlyweds sharing an adventure with other
young ex-pats in an exotic location. It also
reaffirmed their preference for cooler climates.
That , and Ralph’s connect ions from Trini ty
University made Canada their top emigration
destination. Their first accommodation was the
Sylvia hotel - the tallest building in Vancouver at the
time. Ralph’s work in hydro dam site assessments
during their early years in Canada took them on
many adventures to remote locations across B.C.
in the late 1940s before they settled in Victoria to
build a home and start a family. Susie arrived,
followed two years later by Bill to complete their
happy family. Ralph’s career took the young family
to Ottawa for a few years, then back to Victoria
before setting their roots in West Vancouver in
1963. Their new neighbours in Altamont quickly
became lifelong friends, highlighted by many
cocktail and New Year’s parties and bridge gettogethers
at the Purcell’s. After Ralph’s retirement,
they travelled the world, often aboard cruise ships
in search of sun (for Betty) and history (for Ralph),
but they were always happy to return home to
spend time with family - especially over delicious
Sunday roast beef dinners, with Betty’s famous
cheesy potatoes and chocolate chip cookies. Their
family grew to include both Sue’s and B i l l ’s
extended families at birthdays, Christmas,
anniversaries and many special celebrations. After
a very full and happy married life spanning almost
65 years, her beloved Ralph predeceased Betty in
2006. Sue lovingly stayed with Mum around the
clock over the past several months, with
exceptional support from Dr. Lucy McShane,
Janice Braga and the North Shore Palliative Care
team. Betty passed peacefully at her home on
September 20, 2018. She will be forever loved and
missed dearly by her daughter Sue, [Susan
Lindquist (William), Megan Short (Rich, Zach and
Maddie)], son Bill, [Jocelyn, Erica (Lukas) and
Samantha (Jamie)] the family of Jocelyn and the
late Roger Goodman and the many family and
friends she touched throughout her beautiful 102
year life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made
to the charity of your choice. A private gathering
will be held to celebrate her life.
Here’s to us, Mum, with love, always
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