Betty Jean Shearing

After many struggles with her health and chronic illness, our beloved mother Betty Jean Shearing (nee Lonsway) died on June 28, 2022, in Victoria. Betty is survived by her devoted children Lisa, Glenda, Eileen, Kathy, David and Mary Sue; grandchildren Catrina, Angela, Sarah, Jamelle, Jasmine; and great grandchildren Adriana, Mekhi, Callum, Kiera and soon-to-be-born, Amari. She was 92 years old.

Betty’s journey began in 1930, as she was born in Toronto, ON, to parents Alfred M. Thompson and Winnifred Downs. She was given up for adoption to Bert and Vera Lonsway, and preceded to live her childhood in Grimbsy, in the Niagara region of Ontario.

After graduating from high school, Betty met and married Earl Stanley Bengston, a professional engineer and she became the homemaker. Together they raised a family of six children, relocating to several cities across Canada, then on a four-year adventure to Europe. They lived first in Langar, England, followed by Baden-Soellingen, Germany, before finally returning to Canada. They lived for a short while in Centralia, Ontario, then settled on the west coast, in the city of Burnaby, BC. After twenty years of marriage, Betty and Earl divorced.

Betty met and married John Shearing several years later, and relocated to Nanaimo, Vancouver Island. She continued her career as a homemaker, loving wife and mother, doting grandmother and great grandmother. Betty also enjoyed nurturing her talent as a singer, in the local church choir. After the passing of John, Betty relocated to Saanichton and lived there for many years before most recently moving to Langford.

A visitation for Betty will be held Saturday, July 9, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at First Memorial Funeral Services, 4725 Falaise Drive, Victoria, British Columbia V8Y1B4, followed by a Celebration of Life at 10:00 AM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.firstmemorialsaanich.com for the Shearing family.