Betty Vickers

      Betty Vickers was known as many things to many people. She was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew her best, Betty will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

      Betty was born on January 6, 1924 at Proton Township in Mount Forest, Ontario. She was the daughter of John and Mary Jane Garden. Betty grew up in Mount Forest.

      Betty was raised with 2 sisters and 1 brother. She had Marg, Gertie and Bob. Betty was usually involved in all sorts of activities with her siblings. She and her siblings experienced rivalries typical of a growing family, but they shared many life experiences over the years.

      A typical teenager, Betty had a fairly happy high school experience, making that critical transition from adolescence to adulthood. She enjoyed some classes more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers.

       Empathic and loyal, Betty was committed to making her new family happy.

      Betty worked hard to be a good mother to her children and she did her best to fulfill their needs. Betty was blessed with five children, four daughters, Marie, Marilyn, Joan, and Beth, and one son, George. Another blessing for Betty was the gift of sixteen grandchildren, Debbie, Sandy, Donna, Danny, Jackie, Ron, Bill, Margie, Norma Jean, Scott, Randy, Scott, Ian, Tammy, Brian and Brittany.

      Fortunately, Betty enjoyed what she did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, Betty worked diligently and did her best to succeed in her career. Her primary occupation was working in the stock room. She was employed for Kmart from 1964 to 1985. Betty always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.

      Betty enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were gardening, wild life and crafts. She was content to enjoy her favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

      Betty enjoyed traveling and time away on vacations. It was a chance for her to renew and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Favorite vacations included Nashville.

      Betty was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of her favorites was Molly. They were best friends for 5 to 6 years. Her family was rounded out by her other dogs and birds.

      When Betty’s retirement finally arrived in 1985, she was well prepared. Her new life involved relocating to Stroud. Even in retirement, Betty continued to stay in touch with her old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. Betty was active in her new community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered her.

      Betty passed away on March 10, 2012 at Sakura House Residential Hospice, Woodstock. Congestive heart failure and kidney failure. She is survived by husband, Eric, daughter Beth, sixteen grandchildren, thirty-three great-grandchildren and sixteen great-great-grandchildren. Services were held at Coutts Funeral Home Chapel, Cambridge. Betty was laid to rest in Innerkip Cemetery.

      Simply stated, Betty was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by her family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Betty leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life she touched will always remember Betty Vickers.

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Passed away peacefully at Sakura House Woodstock, on Saturday March 10, 2012 in her 89th year, surrounded by her loving family. Loving wife of Eric Vickers, and loving mother of Beth Merkel and her husband Richard of St. Jacobs, also survived by 16 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 16 great -great grandchildren. Predeceased by her parents, John and Mary Jane Garden, her son George, and 3 daughters ,Marie, Marilyn and Joan, brother Bob and sisters Margaret and Gertie. Betty was born in Mount Forest, Ontario The family will receive friends at Coutts Funeral Home 96 St. Andrews St. Cambridge on Tuesday March 13, 2012 from 2-4 and 7-9 P. M. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home chapel on Wednesday March 14, 2012 at 2 P. M. Cremation to follow. As expressions of sympathy donations to Heart & Stroke Foundation, Canadian Diabetes Association, or Sakura House would be appreciated by the family.