Betty McClurg, longtime executive director of Langley Family Services, passed away on June 24 at the age of 80.
She was a very active member of the Langley community in her 16 years as executive director of the social services agency, from 1980 to 1996.
She championed additional social services in Langley as the community grew and was an advocate for people on limited incomes, new immigrants and children and youth.
She was a lifelong social justice advocate.
A longtime Surrey resident, she was elected to Surrey school board twice, serving from 1970 to 1974. She was elected as part of the For All Surrey Team (FAST), a group of NDP members who banded together to seek election to Surrey council and Surrey school board. She was an honourary life member of the NDP.
Her husband Ron, who passed away in 2008, was also a FAST candidate and together they worked on behalf of many candidates over the years.
“She was always very involved in politics, and was campaign manager for the Surrey NDP campaigns on many occasions,” her son Steve said. “I learned everything I know about campaigns from my mother.”
Steve went on to work with the NDP in a number of capacities.
Betty McClurg also was a member of the Universities Council and member of the board of Licensed Practical Nurses.
She is survived by son Steve and his wife Sharon Kurtz, daughters Arlie (Rick Hastie) and Meredith (Don Keillor), three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, her brother Neil Craig and his wife Ellen; sisters-in-law Elaine Hansen. Donna Thomson (Jim) , Frances Eamor, Gail Sullivan and Betty Sawri.
She was predeceased by her husband Ron and sisters Dawn Abercrombie and Judy Wright.
A celebration of her life will be held at the Compass Point Inn, 9850 King George Boulevard, Surrey, on Friday, July 20 at 1 p.m.
