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Elizabeth Elaine "Betty" Klepp (nee Chan)

July 9, 2018

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March 22, 1945 - July 9, 2018
Betty's friends and family describe her as a bright light, a glowing personality. She loved to make people happy through gifts and parties.

Like her father Ernie Chan, whose gregarious nature and community service earned him the Order of Canada, Betty volunteered for many organizations and events, including the Taoist Tai Chi Society, Our Kids Have Talent, the Rarearth Jazz and Blues Festival, the 2008 Ford World Women's Curling Championship, and the library Mah Jongg sessions. She spent two years helping organize the 2014 RBC Cup, recruiting and supervising 230 volunteers. She also returned to Saskatoon most summers to volunteer at the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival.

Betty loved Mah Jongg, golf, and Tai Chi. She also loved to ski until her dance-damaged knees demanded a halt. She was a voracious reader and collected children's books. Her many friends will attest to her tireless sharing of emailed knowledge and entertainment.

Elizabeth Elaine Chan was the first child born to a Chinese family in Saskatoon when Ernie and Rose Chan welcomed her to the world in 1945. In another pioneering act, she defied tradition to become a Scottish highland dancer, one of the very best in North America. Her energy, skill, and 10 megawatt smile won her many trophies from Victoria to Halifax. As a teenager, she began teaching highland dance, which she continued for 45 years. She also adjudicated highland dance competitions in many North American cities.

CBC television produced a documentary about her and her fame caught the attention of Ontario's Royal Highlander firm, which designed and wove a special McChan plaid in her honour.

Betty was a teacher and a Remedial Reading Consultant for the Saskatoon Public School system for 24 years. She retired from teaching when she moved to Vernon in 1993.

During her five month battle with oesophageal and brain cancer, Betty fought hard, smiled often, and never complained. Not once. She was grateful for the excellent care she received at the Vernon and Kelowna cancer centres and from the Vernon palliative care team.

She passed away at the Vernon Hospice on July 9. She leaves behind her beloved husband of 49 years, Don Klepp. Betty's brother, Roger Chan, and his wife Donna live in Ottawa. They have two sons, James and Michael. Cousin Patrick Lim and his family live in Vancouver.

Invited guests will honour Betty's memory in a celebration of life in early August. Contributions in her name may be made to the North Okanagan Hospice Society or the Canadian Cancer Society. 

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