Betty Louise (Smith) Curtis

Betty passed away peacefully on July 12, 2026, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous journey with congestive heart failure and kidney disease. She was 83.

Born in Kerrisdale, Vancouver, British Columbia, to Arthur and Marjorie Smith, Betty spent her childhood in Vancouver and graduated from Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School. She later built a career in accounting, payroll, and office management, working in both Victoria and Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Above all else, Betty was a family person. She is lovingly remembered by her children: Deva Khalsa; Cheryl Paddack and her husband, Mark; Darren Whyte; and Nicole Wilson and her husband, Jon. She was a proud grandmother to Olivia, Megan, Guru Dev, Prabhu Jot, Ella, and Molly, each of whom brought her immense joy. She is also survived by her beloved sister, Shirley DeCou; her nieces, Leanne, Shelly, and Ann McDonald; and many extended family members, and friends.

Betty’s life reflected resilience, adventure, and the ability to embrace new chapters. Her first marriage to Lorne Whyte brought the births of Deva, Cheryl, and Darren. Her second marriage to Ernst Rieder welcomed daughter Nicole into the family. Later, her marriage to Gary Curtis brought her to North Vancouver, where they raised their families together.

In 1991, Betty faced one of the greatest challenges of her life when she was diagnosed with leukemia. Through remarkable determination, expert medical care, and her own fighting spirit, she beat the disease. Her family remains deeply grateful to the physicians and staff at VGH for the compassionate care they provided.

In her retirement, Betty made White Rock her home. She embraced life with enthusiasm by enjoying travel and cruises, bridge and card games, puzzles, and, most importantly, time spent with those she loved. She often joked about her wonderfully large family, shaped through multiple marriages, and proudly noted that she had outlived all of her husbands. In matters of family and cards, she always preferred a full house.

During the last three years of her life, Betty found love once again with Joe Symonds. Joe became a cherished part of our family and stood beside her with kindness, love, and devotion through her final years. We are deeply grateful for the care and companionship they shared.

Our family extends heartfelt thanks to the nurses and healthcare teams of Fraser Health, the staff at Chartwell Crescent Gardens, and the compassionate caregivers at Melville Hospice, whose kindness brought comfort to Betty and those who loved her.

In keeping with Betty’s generous spirit and her love for children, memorial donations may be made to a children’s charity in your local community. Rest in peace, Betty (Mom/Grammie). You leave behind a family that will forever cherish your strength, your laughter, your resilience, and the love that brought us all together