On Friday, April 22, 2016, a kind and loving mother, grandmother and aunt passed away in her 88th year. Betty was widowed in March of last year when her beloved Archie passed away. She was the much loved mother of William, Robert (Judy), Jean (Lynn), Mary (Rodger) and Gordon (David), and cherished grandmother of Claire, Heather, Brendan, Cheryl and Sarah. She was a much loved aunt to Jim, Maureen, Bruce, Chris, Monica, Laurie, Jamie & Brian. She was predeceased by her brother Douglas but will be greatly missed by her sister-in-law Joyce. Betty was born in Lochaber, Quebec, eleven years after her only brother. She grew up surrounded by many loving aunts, uncles and cousins and learned the value of extended family. Her early education was in Lochaber then Thurso then Buckingham. In the early 1940's, Betty's family moved to a farm just outside Winchester, Ontario where she finished high school. In 1946 Betty went to Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital to train as a nurse. She graduated in 1949 as an RN. She turned down a job teaching student nurses to work at Montreal East's Shell oil refinery where she met the love of her life, Archie. They married in September 1953 and Betty left nursing to concentrate on building a family. In 1959, Betty and her family moved to the Rothesay area in New Brunswick where they continued to expand the family. Betty looked after the family single-handedly when Archie moved to work in Fort McMurray in 1968. A year later in 1969, Betty moved her family across the country to join Archie. One year in Fort McMurray was more than enough for Betty so Betty and Archie moved their family to Oakville, Ontario where they stayed henceforth.
Betty was a source of love and a pillar of strength to Archie and her family. She was an anchor in a stormy sea. She was encouraging when required, understanding and caring. She had a keen interest in her children's education and made sure each of her children had a basic musical education. She was a longtime member of Hopedale Presbyterian Church and enjoyed helping with the rummage sales, special seasonal dinners and the Christmas bazaars. Betty was devoted to her family and friends and will be greatly missed by them all. Her spirit, unconditional love and strength will live on in those who knew her. Visitation will be held at the Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home, 64 Lakeshore Road West (one block east of Kerr 905-844-2600), Oakville from 2-4 and 7-9pm on Wednesday, April 27, 2016. A funeral to celebrate Betty's life will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 11am in the Kopriva Taylor Chapel with further visitation one hour prior. Interment at St. Jude's Cemetery with reception to follow. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.