Betty Anstey will be remembered for her kind-hearted nature towards others.
Photo contributed
(The following is a eulogy written by Jo Tanner for Betty Anstey at her celebration of life at Oliver United Church on December 11.)
If you asked most people how they knew Betty, they would say the little old lady with the walker.
But there was so much more to Betty than her love for the outdoors.
Betty May Anstey was born in Central Butte, SK on June 27, 1941 to her parents John and Ruby Newman.
Betty moved to Kamloops in the 1960s where she met her husband George. Newly married, they moved to Oliver in the early 1970s. They resided at Beaver Lodge before moving into independent living in the early 1980s.
Betty lost George to a heart attack in the 1990s. She later married Darryl, who also passed away.
Betty is survived by her sister Donna, brother-in-law John and nephew Robert, and also her boyfriend Arnold.
Betty was very much a part of the fabric of this community. The pleasure of a coffee and a chat always thrilled her.
Her face would beam with an unforgettable smile. Whenever she had the opportunity to bless with that warm hug of hers she would.
Moments as small as watching the delight of children in town or at the community Christmas dinner, or caring for feral cats brought her much joy.
Her kindness was felt in the lives of everyone she touched, whether it was her hugs, waves or kisses.
Anyone who had the pleasure of her company will remember her as someone quite unforgettable.
She may be remembered by most as the small little old lady with the walker, but to those of us who knew her, she will always be remembered as Betty, the wonderful lady with the giant heart.
My favourite memory of Betty would have to be last Christmas. She signed up for a Christmas hamper and for two weeks every day I saw her. She would say, “My Christmas hamper, you’re gonna bring it and hug me.”
The day of delivery with special presents just for her, the beam on her face was like a kid in a candy story expression. She loved Christmas. That evening we attended the community Christmas dinner and shared many giggles as the children raced around in joy of the pending arrival of Santa.
Betty, you touched my heart so deeply in so many ways over coffee, food bank and community events. Your hugs I will hold forever.
Rest in peace, my friend.
The following poem, “Smile Because She Lived,” was read:
You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back, or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her, or you can be full of the love that you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she is gone, or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back. Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
