Elizabeth Margaret Giesbrecht

May 30, 1939 - July 12, 2022
Elizabeth Margaret Giesbrecht of Abbotsford, BC, went to be with the Lord, in her 83rd year at 9:30 pm on Tuesday, July 12th at the Menno Home. After a long struggle with Parkinson's Disease, she passed away in utter peacefulness, forever freed of the symptoms which had robbed her of independence, but not of her gentle personality.
Betty was born to Henry and Tina Dahl, pioneer Sumas Prairie farmers. After high school, Betty spent a year studying at the Mennonite Brethren Bible Institute, before enrolling in Home Economics at the University of BC. Following her teacher training, she enjoyed a productive career. She and her husband David took on several overseas assignments, including teaching in Nigeria and Jamaica. However, most of her professional work was invested at Abbotsford Junior Secondary School.
Betty was a community-minded person, who enjoyed taking on volunteer assignments that included the Bakerview Church library, chairing the BC chapter of the Church and Synagogue Library Association and the Abbotsford Parkinson's Support Group, as well as involvement in refugee sponsorships through her church. After her children left home to pursue their own careers, there was rarely a time when she did not
welcome foreign students or friends needing a place to stay.
Characteristic of Betty was her warm hospitality, resulting in many rich conversations with friends over an evening meal. Since settling in Abbotsford in 1974, she enjoyed participation in small home groups and a readers group. She loved flowers, especially dahlias and orchids, which were perpetually on display in her home.
Betty was predeceased by her parents, Henry and Tina Dahl in 1996, her younger brother Victor in 2020. After 59 years of marriage, she leaves to mourn her husband David, son Clarence, daughter Karen, granddaughters Elli and Belle, many relatives, and friends.
The family expresses a heart-felt thank you to Parkinson Society BC for its courageous advocacy on behalf all British Columbians diagnosed with the disease, and Dr. Anish Kanungo for his effective neurological counsel. We also gratefully acknowledge the compassionate care given to Betty by several home care givers, the staff at the Abbotsford Regional Hospital, and the amazing team at Menno Home.
Thank-you for being there for our family during the final season of Betty's life.
A memorial service with live streaming will be held on Thursday, July 21, 2022 @ 11:00 am, at the Clearbrook MB Church.
Online condolences to the family may be made to www.wiebeandjeskefh.com.

Wiebe and Jeske Funeral Home