Fund Type: Scholarships & Bursaries
Community: Prince George
The story of Syd and Betty began in 1948 when Syd witnessed the town's new school teacher and her class of school children on a wild horseback ride down George Street. Their next encounter was at the Badminton Club when they finally met and so began the courtship. They married in Victoria in August 1949 and honeymooned all the way home to Prince George to begin their busy life. Together they took ownership of the River View Motel situated at the Cameron Street Bridge and the Hart Highway intersection (no longer standing) and Syd began his lengthy career in Hotel Management.
After their first 2 daughters were born they bought a farm on the Nechako River where they raised their 5 children and created their own pioneering adventure. Betty became a dedicated member of the Order of Eastern Star and Syd the Masonic Order. Kinsmen was a large part of Syds life and Betty the Kinettes. Betty served on the Hospital Board Committee for 10 years and was the Eagles Mother of the Year in 1981. They travelled abroad extensively and after the kids left home Betty substitute taught for 10 years, continued to sew, knit and paint as well as manage a huge garden every summer.
Through times of war and the depression, they joined their strong characters and created an incredible life together.
Our Mother loved music. From the farm days as they washed the evening dishes, she learned how to harmonize with her brothers and on the 2 mile wagon rides to school the sound of children singing could be heard for miles across the Prairie. Church going would always be filled with song and it was her magnet. Even though she had “a leftie” (one arm) she could play the piano better than most. Her greatest love and secret to a happy heart was to sing with the Knox United Church Choir and the Gospel and Rainbow Singers right up till her final days in 2004. Her desire to pass on the gift of music was the foundation upon which she created this bursary for an aspiring musician. She would be so proud that this award still lives thanks to the hard work and vision of the Prince George Community Foundation.
