1926-2011
Peacefully at the Western Hospital, Alberton, on Friday, January 14, 2011, with her family by her side, of Charlotte Elizabeth (Betty) (nee Travers) Hardy-Dunville, of Alberton, aged 84 years. Beloved wife of Atwood Dunville.
Born at Kildare Capes on September 6, 1926, she was the daughter of the late John C. and Jemima (nee Feakes) Travers. Loving mother to Rick (Gwen) of Alberton; Dianne (Brad) Hall of Kanata, Ont.; Donna (Kevin) Rochford of Alberton; stepson Kevin (Virginia) Dunville, Alberton. Cherished grandmother to her nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild, her three step-grandchildren, and by two step-great-grandchildren. Dear sister to Arthur (Phyllis) Travers of Alberton. She is survived by two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Travers of Summerside; Helen Travers of Charlottetown and by brother-in-law, Perley (late Anna) Hardy of Alberton. She is also survived by her special cousins Lona (Francis) Crane of Summerside and Rev. Sylvia Dyer of Scotland. She was predeceased by her first husband Wesley Hardy in 1990 and by brothers, Clayton, William, Reginald and by a sister Edna. She will be sadly missed by her many nieces, nephews and friends.
How can a life so happily lived, so many friendships built, so many contributions made to family and community be described in a few short words? It can't. But if an album of Betty's life could be shared, every picture being a thousand words, the task might be accomplished. Regardless of the age and quality of the pictures, from somewhat blurry black and white of the 1920-30s to the modern digital high quality images of today, every single picture would show a happy, vibrant person, with a consistent smile and sparkle in her eyes. The first pictures would show Betty living on Kildare Capes, the youngest of six children to John and Jemima Travers, youngest sibling to Edna, Billy, Clayton, Arthur and Reg. The next pictures show her as a teller working at the CIBC in Alberton (1943-53), meeting and marrying Wes Hardy, building a home on Popular St., raising Rick, Dianne and Donna, and beginning what would be a lifetime of service to the community. She was a stalwart member of the United Church Women, volunteering thousands of hours over 60 years, actively working for the Western Hospital and Phillips Residence, participating with the Alberton Lioness and donating thousands of hours fundraising for a myriad of organizations. For more than 25 years she could be seen working for the Prince County Exhibition. In every picture now in colour and of better quality, you would see that same happy, vibrant person made all the happier by the addition of her children's spouses; Gwen Campbell, Brad Hall and Kevin Rochford and being Munga to Karolyn and Curtis, Ryan and Kelly, Cherie and Mitchell, Candice, Kristen and Shannon, and most recently, great-grandmother to Abigail Hall.
The smile faded and the sparkle dimmed in 1990 when Wesley passed away and five months later she was badly burned in a kitchen fire. Yet after seven months in the burn unit of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and several skin grafting operations, she returned home and immediately re-engaged in community service. Taking up where she had left off with all her other commitments, she also delivered meals on wheels (10+ years), joined the Iron Haven Gym (15+ years) and became an avid walker. The joy and radiance she personified and so easily seen on the new, high definition digital pictures, became even greater when she met and married Sergeant (Ret'd) Henry Atwood Dunville and thus adding Kevin, Virginia and their children to her loving family. Over many years she was an often seen sight on the streets of Alberton, dashing here to there, continuing her community work and being a friend that lent an attentive and comforting ear to all. The last pictures in her album show the laughter lines firmly etched in a beautiful face. Diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in the fall of 2010, Mom - Munga - Betty was an inspiration to everyone she met. Even weakened and suffering greatly from shortage of breath she retained her sense of humour, gave us the most incredible smiles and always had an interest and care for those around her. She left us, but has left us many wonderful memories; many, many wonderful memories. She was a beautiful person, inside and out. We will miss her, very much.
Resting at the Rooney Funeral Home, Alberton. Visiting hours Monday, January 17, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral on Tuesday from the Gordon Memorial United Church, Alberton, at 2 p.m., Rev. Sue Paterson officiating. Interment in Hillcrest Cemetery, Alberton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Western Hospital Equipment Fund or to the Gordon Memorial United Church Building Fund would be gratefully appreciated. www.rooneyfh.ca

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