The Grand Lady of Langford, Lily Savory 1879-1972
Why would they name a school after me?
In 1972, Langford lost one of its original pioneers. Known as 'The Grand Lady of Langford' and 'The Little Flower Lady' her passing was sadly felt throughout the area. She made an impact on everyone she met, and the hard work throughout her life was inspirational to those around her.
Lily Marie Ann (Marianna) Savory was born November 20, 1879 in Norfolk England and arrived as a 4 year old to Victoria in November 1883. Her parents were farmers William John Raymond Savory and Elizabeth Alice Coutts. She also had four brothers, born William (1879), Henry (1884), Frederick (1888) and George (1896).
Lily actually spelt her name with one ‘L’ which was somewhat unusual at the time and as early documentation shows her name was regularly spelt wrong.
The young family first lived and operated a garden nursery on Gorge road, but soon moved to Langford where they opened 'Savory Greenhouses.' It would have been located around what today is Spencer Road and the Trans Canada Highway. Even at a young age, she would do household chores, help about the greenhouses and learn what was grown in them. But this is only a small glimpse of her story…