Elizabeth 'Betty' Ivey
Today God called our precious mother home, the pillar of our family, and set her free after her eleven month struggle, which she did with dignity and grace, with her children at her side, never once complaining.
We the children of Betty Ivey, wish to announce the passing of our beautiful mother into the kingdom of God, on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Northside General Hospital, surrounded by her children whom she loved so deeply.
Born in North Sydney, Betty was the daughter of the late Thomas and Elsie (Vatcher) Murphy.
Mom was the best mother in the world to her ten children who she stayed at home and raised until the youngest was off to nursing school. Then she thought she would try her hand at working, and was an employee for a period of time with H.B. Nickerson, National Sea Products, Josie’s Snack Bar and the Marine Atlantic cafeteria.
Betty was a member of the Northside Senior Citizens and Pensioners Club, KOC mixed dart league, and was on a bowling team until her health no longer allowed her to do these things.
Mom always had a big smile for everyone and would be there to help a friend or family member whenever they were in need, and did this unconditionally. Giving to others was a natural trait of our mom, expecting nothing in return.
Mom travelled to Scotland, Florida and North Carolina, but enjoyed her bus tours with her sisters, Eileen and Marie and friends, to Sainte Anne de Beaupre, where she would renew her faith.
Mom achieved her drivers license at age sixty, and would laugh when she talked about taking the course “Young Drivers.” Once she received her license, she and her friends from Beacon Crescent, known as the golden girls, would make their daily outings which they all thoroughly enjoyed.
Betty is survived by her ten children: Mary (Brian) Myler, Marlene Ivey, Valda (Harry) Kelly, Brenda (Gary) Boyko, Ralph (Janet) Ivey, Thomas (Heather) Ivey, Angela (Patrick) Eyking, Karen (Jim) Ivey, Paula (Robert) LeBlanc, Rhonda (Keir) Ivey. She is also survived by her pride and joy, her seventeen grandchildren, Cora Lee, Mark, Alanna, Allison, Vanessa, Amy, Erica, Emily, Aaron, Tristan, Kyle, Keleigh, Elsie, Nicholas, Katrina, Jeffrey and Regan. She was also a very proud great-grandmother to Ethan, Logan, Cameron, Bella and Owen all who adored their Nanny Betty/Nanny Cheesie.
Mom is also survived by brothers, Archie and William Murphy; sisters-in-law, Mary Murphy, Valda Nugent, Jean (Harvey) MacArthur; brothers-in-law, Bert, Jim (Jean), Ronnie (Claudia).
Besides her parents Thomas and Elsie Murphy, mom was predeceased by her husband, Ralph in 1999, a son at birth; sisters, Eileen Murphy, Marie Benac (George) and Elizabeth at birth; brothers, Gerald Murphy and James at birth; sisters-in-law, Lillian Murphy, Carmie Ivey; a brother-in-law George Ivey, as well as her father and mother-in-law, George and Elizabeth Ivey.
In keeping with mom’s wishes cremation has taken place. Visitation will be 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. Wednesday, in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. Funeral mass will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, March 1, 2012 at St. Joseph Church North Sydney, with Rev. Patrick O’Neill officiating. Burial will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney.
Memorial donations may be made to the NS Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, or Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton.
Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com.
Mom rest peacefully now and even though you have left this earth, we your family will always cherish our memories and carry you always in our heart. We love and miss you. Until we meet again. We love you!
