Elizabeth “Betty” Johnson (née Garrow) was born February 20, 1944 in Sudbury, Ontario and passed away peacefully on September 2, 2025, at Sidney All Care after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease in Sidney, BC.
Betty is survived by her loving husband of nearly 60 years Robert “Bob” Johnson, whom she married on December 4, 1965, as well as her children: Robert (Heather Fitzgerald) of Ottawa, Mark (Tammy Chassar) of Nanaimo, and David (Kristin Keith) of Roberts Creek, and grandchildren: Matthew, Nolan, David, Matea, and Sierrea, as well as her brother Robert (Shirley) of Ottawa. She was predeceased by her parents Jean and George Garrow of Sudbury, Ontario.
Betty met Bob living in Chalk River working at AECL.
She loved and cherished her family and was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law and aunt. She was a great friend and believed in giving back to the community, which was demonstrated by her time spent volunteering when the children were growing up in North Vancouver, Fort Nelson and Prince George, and during the last thirty years in North Saanich.
After moving to North Saanich in 1998, Betty found community through the Newcomers Club and devoted many hours volunteering at Saanich Peninsula Hospital. There were many winters when her kitchen would become the workshop where many Christmas puddings were made in support of the hospital bazaar. She had an envious green thumb and loved her garden, was a talented and avid quilter, loved a good book, cherished long walks, and enjoyed an active life surrounded by family and friends. Betty also had an exceptional memory and enjoyed telling stories of days gone by, whether of growing up in Sudbury, her days in Chalk River, or of their adventures with the three boys through the years. If you ever needed details on something that had happened, Betty was to whom you would turn.
At this time, the family has chosen not to hold a service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson Canada (https://donate.parkinson.ca) in Betty’s memory.