With sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of Betty Vernon at Evergreen Care Unit on August 13. She was born to Bill and Mary Potts in Kenora, Ontario. She had one older brother, two older sisters and two younger sisters.
The family moved to Sorrento, BC, in 1944, where Betty completed high school. She then moved to Vancouver to attend pediatric nurses training. Upon completion, she worked at Vancouver General Hospital for nearly three years before returning to Sorrento in 1952 for her marriage to the love of her life, Richard Vernon. Following a short honeymoon, the couple took up residence in a little house in Cranberry. With two children soon following, they outgrew the Cranberry house and moved to Westview to a house she occupied for nearly 65 years.
Mom was a kindhearted, loving person. She had a lively wit, a hearty laugh and the most beautiful smile that lit her whole face. Family was everything to her. She was so proud and supportive of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, loving their accomplishments and all their endeavours.
She was a wonderful cook and baker, a fabulous knitter, seamstress and an avid gardener. She could grow and nurture anything; her full larder and lush flowerbeds a testament to her green thumb. She was also an avid five-pin bowler, winning countless awards over the years. In 1964 she went to work part-time, where she learned the paint business. The opportunity arose in late 1976 to buy their own store, so Mom and Dad opened Rainbow Paint in January 1977. It was known quite simply as “the paint store” and it thrived until they retired at the end of 1994. Upon retirement, the couple travelled extensively throughout Canada and the USA.
Betty was a doer, a volunteer and avid participant in everything she joined, from the Grief Point School PTA, the Grief Point Brownie pack, to the Women of the Moose locally and District Deputy Regent (for the Women of the Moose), for all of BC.
Betty was predeceased by her parents, her brother, three sisters and by her husband, Richard. She is survived by son Bill (Gail) Vernon and daughter Sharon (Don) Cairns, four grandchildren Rob (Vicki) Cairns, Rick (Katie) Cairns, Ryan (Tamara) Cairns and Rachelle (Gord) Letkeman, eight great-grandchildren, her sister Dorothy Reedman as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Stubberfield Funeral Home, Dr. Barrie McDonald, with a special shout-out to all the nurses, care aids, staff and volunteers at Evergreen who showed Mom such loving care while she was with them. There will be a celebration of her life on September 30 at the Powell River Lawn Bowling Club at 2 pm.
Love you, Mom! In our hearts forever!
