Betty Ann Neill

Betty was born June 8, 1953 in Kamloops British Columbia (Preceded in death by her parents Michael and Helen Shmyr). She was a vibrant and hard-working daughter raised on a small farm in Kamloops with her brothers Walt and Dave.

Betty started working in the grocery business at an early age and worked for SuperValu for 30 years throughout BC. She worked and volunteered in Vernon and surrounding communities for as long as she lived here.

Betty loved skiing with her family and friends at Silver Star Mountain, ski instructing and ski racing. She would often be found chasing her toddlers Nicole (Michael) and Brent on the beaches of Kal Lake and Hawaii while on vacation with her parents.

Betty met Martin at ‘The Body Shop’ in Vernon and they quickly fell in love. Soon after they started to spend time with Martin’s sons Tyler and Shawn. They married on January 8, 1988 in Vernon, BC with all their children in attendance.

Betty cherished her grandchildren, she was so excited about being a Nana and she loved to make things for them with Papa.

Betty had so much charisma, a contagious smile and a laugh that will be imprinted in our hearts forever. She was our rock, she was there for all of us through the good and the bad.

She loved her life in the Okanagan, we remember her jumping off the cliffs near Cousin’s bay one Sunday when we were boating when she landed on the bottoms of her feet and began to scream in pain but she was having so much fun that she likely would have done it again. Betty and Martin shared countless memories walking the beaches in Hawaii and on the Rail Trail biking and enjoying coffee with friends at the Kal Store. Together they shared a love of travel, taking time to explore Europe, the US and making annual trips to warm climates. They were an amazing couple who had an incredible life together setting goals and achieving them.

The sudden passing of Betty was a shock to all of us and she will forever be in our hearts.

Thank you to the Vernon Fire Department, Paramedics, RCMP and Coroner Medical Services.