Betty Frewer and Phil Frewer
My grandmother, Betty Frewer, also known as Betsy, Mom, or Granny, was born Aline Elizabeth Russell on July 18th, 1922, in Duncan, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. She grew up with her parents and four siblings on Cowichan Bay and attended Queen Margaret's School in Duncan. My grandfather, Phil Frewer, also known as Filippe, Dad, or Granddad, was born Philip George Frewer on August 22nd, 1922, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He grew up by Grenedier Pond in High Park with his parents and four siblings. Granddad attended Lakefield College School and University of Toronto School and later, U. of T. and U.B.C.
The Second World War started in 1939, and though a tragic event, it actually brought them closer. Betty worked as a milk truck driver to cover the work force shortage of men caused by enlistment in the armed forces. Betty also volunteered in the community-wide effort to entertain and support young men in the service who were training in strange places and often far from their homes. Phil had been stationed in Victoria, training in the Canadian Navy to eventually serve on 9 different ships and then become Navigator of the HMCS Haida. Betty accepted the urging of a friend to be a blind date for a [charming] gentleman from Toronto. Rumor among the family has it that he came across with that "typically eastern arrogance", but under Betty's charms he was destined to become the humble, supportive husband, father and friend he's been known as ever since.
The end of the war brought love and happiness to the lives of Betty and
Phil, who joined in holy matrimony on February 3rd, 1945, and later
welcomed their first son, Terry, to the family. The new family had
humble rental digs near the University of British Columbia campus in
Vancouver as Phil was completing his commerce studies there. He spent
his career in the forest industry, primarily in plywood manufacturing.
Betty has done much volunteer work over the years, most recently with
St. David's Church in Tsawwassen and on the board of the Delta Museum.
The next fifty years have given Betty and Phil many ups and downs, but
more importantly lives full of family love. Four more children soon
followed: Chris, Tim, Patrick, and Vicki. They have since each completed
their education, acquired a spouse, and pursued a variety of careers.
The grandchildren are plenty! Sean, Beau, Leyla (Terry and Joanne
Frewer); Jean, Danielle, Nikole (Chris and Trevor Klinkhamer); Bridget,
Tyrone (Tim and Mary Frewer); Monika, Paige, Francesca (Patrick and
Maureen Frewer); and finally Brooke, Alicia, and Megan (Vicki and Giles
Fenn).
In
1994, the entire Frewer clan cornered a motel north of Whistler, B.C.
between Christmas and New Year's to celebrate the happy couple's
upcoming 50th wedding anniversary. For coming up 13 years, Betty and
Phil have been regular winter visitors to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, along
with their childrens' families alternating each year. They have
developed a loving relationship with a Mexican family who sell their
wares on the beach. They've also been fortunate to visit second daughter
Chris and family in Scottsdale, Arizona each winter. 'Granny and
Granddad' have hosted the extended family on Magic Lake, Pender Island
in the months of August 1999 and 2000; this being our family's most
recent vacation gatherings. Betty and Phil's sense of adventure is not
confined to the luxurious Club Cascadas resort in Cabo San Lucas or a
comfortable lakefront cottage on Pender Island; this courageous couple
has also ventured down the Baja coast via [sometimes unpredictable]
buses and taxis, and has also made the trek up the coast of BC and
Alaska on a self directed journey to rival the high priced pampering of
the cruise ship lines.
In 1994, the entire Frewer clan cornered a motel north of Whistler, B.C. between Christmas and New Year's to celebrate the happy couple's upcoming 50th wedding anniversary. For coming up 13 years, Betty and Phil have been regular winter visitors to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, along with their childrens' families alternating each year. They have developed a loving relationship with a Mexican family who sell their wares on the beach. They've also been fortunate to visit second daughter Chris and family in Scottsdale, Arizona each winter. 'Granny and Granddad' have hosted the extended family on Magic Lake, Pender Island in the months of August 1999 and 2000; this being our family's most recent vacation gatherings. Betty and Phil's sense of adventure is not confined to the luxurious Club Cascadas resort in Cabo San Lucas or a comfortable lakefront cottage on Pender Island; this courageous couple has also ventured down the Baja coast via [sometimes unpredictable] buses and taxis, and has also made the trek up the coast of BC and Alaska on a self directed journey to rival the high priced pampering of the cruise ship lines.
Granny and Granddad, I can honestly say that I am awed by you and your
love every time I see you. (Just this morning before I wrote this, and
probably again the morning before you read this as well, I enjoyed toast
and plum jam courtesy of Granny!) I hope this summarized version of your
lives contributes to your day and your love for each other, and reminds
you just how much I love you!
Your loving grandaughter,
Paige