WARD (née Hill) - Betty
Mar. 2, 1932 - Dec. 17, 2015,
Our wife and Mom Betty died on Dec. 17, 2015 before bringing an end to her several - year journey with Parkinson disease. Violet Elizabeth Jean (Betty) was born to Violet and Roland Hill, the 6th of 7 children. She was born, raised, educated, and worked in Turner Valley Alberta, in particular at Alberta Government Telephones and the Oilfields Hospital, where she met her future husband Bert and where her long-held desire to become a nurse was confirmed. She graduated as a registered nurse at the Holy Cross Hospital school of nursing in Calgary in 1954. Bert and Betty were married in Turner Valley in 1954 and celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in September 2015. They settled in Calgary where they raised their five children. In 1984, Bert and Betty moved to Alix, where they lived on the lake and enjoyed a return to small town life. In February 2006, they moved to Wetaskiwin where they shared a home with their son Wade. Betty found Wetaskiwin to be the right match for her - close to medical facilities, a suitable size for folks who like to walk, grand old trees, living near a school so she could see lots of kids, and especially living in an area she really liked with great neighbors. Betty was pre-deceased by her parents; sisters and brothers Margaret, Frances, Mary, Alfred, and George (WWII); and her brother-in-law Roland. She is survived by her husband Bert; children Robin (Nancy), Kevin (Cath), Garth (Sue), Wade, and Geoff (Marlene); grandchildren Sarah, Sheena, Meghan, Breanne, and Nyla (Gran's Girls); great-grandchildren James, Cameron, Rileigh, Robert, Ryder, and Derik; her sister Eileen; and her lovely little dog Sunshine. All her life, she cared for others, regardless of who they were. In keeping with this, she wished to donate her body to medical education and research, in hopes that others would benefit. We encourage others to consider this option, or organ donation. The family wishes to thank Dr. Stiaan van der Walt and the staff on units 35 and 33 at Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Centre for their excellent care of Betty over the last 2 1/2 years of her life. At Betty's request, there will be no formal service, simply a gathering of the family. In lieu of flowers, if desired, donations may be made to Parkinson Alberta (http://parkinsonalberta.ca/) or to the Lois Hole Hospital for Women (http://www.royalalex.org/) Betty felt a connection with Lois Hole because they were both gardeners, and because they had both gone through the experience of having a newborn in precarious health. With Mom, we were looking for a rose and found an orchid.
BAKER FUNERAL CHAPEL - Wetaskiwin
780-352-2501 or (888) 752-2501 Condolences- www.womboldfuneralhomes.com