Obituary of Frank Littlewood Broughton

The family of Frank Littlewood Broughton regret to announce his passing on May 1, 2022, just short of a year after his wife, Betty, passed on May 8, 2021.

Frank was born July 29, 1933 at Hanceville, BC, where his father was stationed as Provincial Police Constable.  He was the fourth child of Bill and May Broughton.

The family moved to the Cuisson Creek ranch at Alexandria in 1942, where Frank attended school and grew up in the ranching life.  He and his brother eventually purchased the property from their father.  Frank worked the ranch, as well as at local sawmills.  He got on with West Fraser Mills and retired as a millwright.

Frank unknowingly met his future wife, Catherine Betty Robertson, while still a toddler in the Chilcotin.  Betty was born June 1, 1933 at Alexis Creek, one of 11 children born to Scots immigrants Sandy and Margaret Robertson.  The Robertsons moved to the Mud Lake Ranch at McLeese Lake in 1937.  Betty attended the school her father helped build, went to high school in Williams Lake, and then continued her education at normal school.  Her first teaching job was at Red Bluff School in Quesnel.

Frank and Betty got to know each other at community events and married on February 4, 1956 in Williams Lake.  The Broughton’s had three children:  Heather, Glen and Bruce.  Betty taught at the Alexandria school while the children were young, before staying home to help manage the ranch. 

She and Frank were involved in community organizations, including the Alexandria Hall Society, Alexandria Women’s Institute, Quesnel Co-op, Alexandria Plow and Pull, and many other community functions.  They very much enjoyed local dances and were a pleasure to watch.

They loved having all the grandchildren together and many happy occasions took place at the Broughton home.

Frank and Betty are survived by their daughter Heather (Dwight) Gaddess; sons Glen (Colleen) Broughton and Bruce (Leanne) Broughton; grandchildren Darryn (Pam) Gaddess, C. Eloise (Ludo) Niënhuis, Dustyn (Jen) Gaddess, Dave (Sarah) Gaddess,  Christine Gaddess;  Jodi (Steve) Wogan, Tyler (Rebecca) Broughton, Tyson (Vanessa) Broughton; Ryan (Alli) Broughton, and Derek (Matija) Broughton; Betty’s sisters Lorna Currie, Audrey Broughton, and Joy (Russ) Colombo, and sisters-in-law Bonnie Robertson; Frank’s sisters Eileen Dell, and Noelle Rowat; as well as 18 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A gathering will be held Saturday, July 2 at 1:00 p.m. at the Alexandria Hall in honour of Frank and Betty.  Everyone is welcome.