Elizabeth Alice (Betty) Fleming-Campbell

FLEMING - CAMPBELL, Elizabeth Alice (Betty)

September 13, 1925 - July 30, 2025

Betty left us with a treasure chest full of memories and love. She led an extraordinary life of personal and professional accomplishments. A graduate of UBC in math and physics with post graduate studies at the International Training Centre for Aerial Surveys in the Netherlands, Betty worked in the physics division of NRC and with various survey and mapping companies including Photo Air Laurentide, Spartan Air Services and finally the Topographical Survey Division of the Department of Energy Mines and Resources as a specialist in aerial photography for photogrammetric mapping. With the advent of satellite imagery (Landsat 1972) Betty's work resulted in the positioning of a new island off the coast of Labrador that extended Canada's territorial boundary. In recognition Betty was asked to name the island and in her humble manner chose Landsat Island. In 2019 Betty was awarded the Capt. Joseph-Elzéar Bernier Medal from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society in recognition of her life of enhancing Canadians' knowledge of its country's incomparable geography. Betty was a rare woman scientist in her field in the 1950s and 1960s, experiencing discrimination and lower pay than her male counterparts. To ensure her work would be judged fairly and to put herself on equal footing, she wrote her scientific papers under the name E.A. Fleming, often surprising her male colleagues at seeing a woman show up as winner at three different award ceremonies. In marriage Betty was blessed with the love and companionship of men who were experts in their own fields of aerial survey (Jack Fleming), aeronautical engineering (Bill Campbell) and civil engineering (Walter Webb). Her older brothers John Booth and Ernest Booth left her a legacy of many caring nephews and nieces. Her marriage to Bill Campbell enriched her family with stepchildren and grandchildren. Betty's sense of adventure began early, acquiring her pilot's licence as a teenager. She travelled the world extensively, her favourite explorations taking place in Canada, specifically the Arctic. Betty and Jack flew throughout Canada in their Cessna 195 affectionately known as the "Oily Boyd". As the matriarch of the Booth and Campbell families Betty's generosity and support of her family will never be forgotten. She was a shining example of how much can be achieved both personally and professionally with perseverance. Betty's life has been celebrated privately by her family at her request. Tributes and memories can be shared on the tribute page at www.fco-cfo.coop.