June 9, 2018
Mom passed away peacefully on June 9, 2018, supported by her family and in the care of the loving nurses and aides at Spring Valley Care Centre. She was predeceased by her husband, Don, in 2001, as well as her brother, Charles and 2 sisters, Lois and Gertrude.
She is survived by her children, Gary Gossoo (Cathy) of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Douglas Gossoo (Terry) of Kelowna, BC; and Donald Gossoo (Lynn) of Merritt, BC, and will also be sadly missed by her 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Mom and Dad moved to West Kelowna in 1969 and were quickly immersed in the community, making many new friends through their involvement with the Lakeview Heights Volunteer Fire Dept. Mom worked part time as a vocational nurse and later as an office assistant in a Kelowna physiotherapy office. She nurtured her beloved peach and apple trees, and could be found in summer, canning cherries and peaches, making applesauce and even venturing into homemade peach wine which, in one instance, resulted in bottles exploding in the basement. Even when it came to camping, she was the consummate "mom," packing all the food and necessities, tending the fire, cooking the fish and, of course, playing cards.
Later in life, Mom was very involved with Westbank United Church and the UCW group. She was also a long-time volunteer with the Kelowna General Hospital Auxiliary, and spent many hours volunteering at Brookhaven Care Centre which, ironically, she helped name.
The last few years were difficult ones for Mom, and the family wishes to thank the many caring people who helped her at Kelowna General Hospital, Cottonwoods, and Spring Valley Care Centre.
A Celebration of Betty's life will be held on Saturday July 7, 2018 at 11:00 am in the Westbank United Church, 3627 Brown Road, West Kelowna, BC.
For those interested in a memorial gesture, Mom's favourite charity was the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation.