January 14, 1925 - January 28, 2021
Boundary Country native, Elizabeth (Betty) Margaret Talarico, passed into eternal life in the loving presence of family on January 28, 2021 in Grand Forks. The daughter of Agnes and
Robert Forshaw, Betty was born in Greenwood on January 14, 1925. The only remaining member of her family, she was also predeceased by dear elder brothers Robert, James, Thomas and Paul.
Betty received her schooling in Greenwood, going on to North Vancouver High for Grade 13 and then the University of Saskatchewan, where, in 1948, she earned her Bachelor of
Household Science degree. Acquiring teaching credentials through summer schools in Victoria, Betty set off to her first position at Princeton's High School. She returned to the Boundary in 1949, establishing the Home Economics department in the newly built Grand Forks Secondary School.
Adolph (Ace) Talarico and Betty, who were married September 3, 1952, always laughed about discovering each other over the meat case at the Talarico family's Valley Market as Betty was
buying groceries for her foods and nutrition classes. They were blessed with 2 daughters and 2 sons. Heartbreakingly, though, both eldest child, Keith, born on his mother's birthday and youngest child, Ross, died as toddlers.
With much determination and strength, Betty returned to teaching in the mid-sixties and was dedicated to her profession for another 19 years, grading assignments and signing off on her last daybook at the dining room table the night before retiring in 1984. She genuinely cared for her students, having contact with many of them throughout her later years. She believed that she was helping her pupils gain valuable knowledge and skills that enriched their lives and those of their families and communities.
Betty's activities were varied. She downhill skied and played hockey and softball as a teenager and as an adult, coached basketball and enjoyed curling, golfing and cross country skiing.
Betty sat on the Board of Home Support Society in its early days, volunteered with the Grand Forks Hospital Auxiliary and was a past member of the Christina Lake Golf Club. She was a
member of the Boundary Area Retired Teachers' Association, the Boundary Historical Society and the Boundary Museum Society. Betty was a parishioner at Holy Trinity Anglican Church,
Grand Forks, and grew up attending and marrying at St. Jude's Anglican Church, Greenwood.
Ace, long serving Fire Chief of the City of Grand Forks, passed in 1992, shortly after the couple's 40th wedding anniversary. Betty remained in their home until her death. Her fondness for the Boundary never diminished, with especially warm memories of life on the Forshaw ranch high above Greenwood and growing up in her treasured hometown.
Betty is deeply missed and remembered, with great thanks and admiration, for her resilience, wisdom, steadfastness, generosity and love, by her devoted caregiving daughters Jill and Denise, much cherished grandsons, André (Megan) and Marc (Marisa), darling young great granddaughters, Chloe and Avery and beloved great granddoger, Ellie. She also leaves
thoughtful nieces and nephews and their families.
Respecting COVID-19 protocols, the family will hold a private service at Holy Trinity, officiated by the Reverend Rosalind Westaway, Honourary Assistant. Burial will follow at Evergreen
Cemetery where Betty will be laid to rest beside her husband and sons. Arrangements are entrusted to the Grand Forks Funeral Home.
"The certainty of a mother's love can sustain one for a life". - Helen Exley