Elizabeth 'Betty' Kearney
Born In: Noranda Quebec
Born: March 24th, 1934
Passed in: New Waterford
Passed on: November 12th, 2013
It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Elizabeth 'Betty' Kearney on Nov. 12, 2013. Betty was at home, surrounded by her loving family, where she died peacefully.
Betty's life began in Noranda, Que., March 24, 1934. She was the third eldest of nine children born to Alec Dan and Jessie (MacQuarrie) MacLennan of Inverness.
At the age of 17, Betty began training in the nursing program at New Waterford General Hospital and graduated in 1955. Her nursing career spanned 40 years in New Waterford hospitals with many years as head nurse in the emergency department.Betty established a reputation as a firm, but fair, hard-working, dedicated nurse, respected by all those she worked with. She treated everyone with kindness and compassion, and she always felt it was important to "make a connection" with all the people she met and cared for.
Betty had many fond memories of her former colleagues, but she felt that her greatest legacy was her family. In 1956, Betty and her devoted husband, Clarence (Tantz), began their married life together and welcomed the first of their four children in 1957. Betty's family tree continued to flourish, giving her the title of "Grandma" to 11, and "Great-Grandma" (GG) to two.
Betty was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend to many. Her homemade pancakes and biscuits were tops on the menu at weekend sleepovers, along with an occasional trip to the Bayside for a butterscotch sundae. "Grandma" loved spending time with her grandkids, as well as sitting on her front deck in the warm summer days, sipping a cup of tea and reading the paper in the company of friends, or her sisters, Joan and Dolly.
Betty couldn't say enough about the loyal friends she had, from her "golden girls" to the Mt. Carmel Church Choir. She always looked forward to the "golden girls" gatherings numerous times throughout the year. Another special group are "Betty's Angels" — devoted members of her family and friends who supported her in the Ovarian Cancer Walk of Hope for the past three years. She was deeply grateful to them for their support, especially this year when they brought the walk to her, because she was unable to make it herself. In the words of her youngest grandson, "I'll miss Grandma a lot, but she would want us to keep calm and carry on," so Betty's Angels will meet at the walk again next year, in Betty's memory.
We will miss Betty's sense of humour and fun-loving ways, but we are thankful for her 79 years of life, which were an inspirational gift to all those who crossed her path.
Betty was predeceased by her parents, her loving husband, Tantz, in 2002, her brother, Clem, and sister, Christina.
Betty is survived by daughter, Kathy (Mike) Hinchey, Antigonish; sons, David (Paula), Antigonish, Paul (Colleen), Fort McMurray, Sandy (Heather), New Waterford, and grandchildren, Kimberly, Ryan, Mitchell, Adam, Alex, Brennan, Shannon, Erin, Mackenzie, Ben and Nicholas and great-grandchildren, Andrew and Emma; sisters, Joan (Wally) Cameron, Boisdale, Dolly Hill, Lower Sackville; brothers, Toby MacLennan, Ontario, Manion MacLennan, John R. MacLennan and Chisholm (Diane) MacLennan, all of New Waterford; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, Nov. 14, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St. in New Waterford. Funeral mass will be held Friday, Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. at the Parish of St. Leonard with Fr. Ray Huntley officiating. Interment will follow immediately afterwards at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
All are invited to join the family for a reception at the KOC Hall, Plummer Avenue.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ovarian Cancer of Canada Society, St. Vincent de Paul, VON, Palliative Care or a charity of one's choice.
Online condolences to the family can be made at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
