A memorial service for Betty will be held Friday, June 7, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at First Memorial Funeral Services, 27555 31 Ave, Aldergrove, BC V4W3L4. Our apologies as the family is so large it will be limited to family only..
Our Sincere, Thanks
It is with Great Sadness we announce the passing of our Mom, Nanny, Great Nanny
Betty Erickson (Thiessen) Born May 6, 1944 and passed away May 11,2024 at the age of 80.
A Celebration of Life for family members only will be held at Aldergrove First Memorial on June 7,2024
@11am. There will be a light tea afterwards. We apologize to all others who would like to come but due
to the sheer size of our family the space cannot accommodate many more.
Betty was pre deceased by her second husband Joseph "Chappy" Erickson in 2016. She was also pre
deceased by her first grandchild Bradley Beckett in 2007 and siblings Abe, Henry, John, George, Jake,
Tena, Alma and Verna. She is survived by her two Brothers, Peter and Bill Thiessen and their spouses
Diann and Maureen respectively. She also was survived by her six children; Tom (Sandra), Diane (Lyle),
Mark (Karen),Kelly (Pete), Greg (Debbie) Jackie (Dan) as well as their children; Alana (Dan),
Thomas(Alana), Lindsay (Shawn), Leslie (Steve), Stephanie & Joshua, Carly (Ben), Lacey (Neb), Matthew,
Elissa, Jake & Sydney.
And 17 Great grandchildren; Hailey, Riley, Sienna, Taylor, Lane. Jordan and Madyson, Mason, Reese,
Nolan and Summer, Scarlett, Sterling, Lincoln and Hendrix. And Ellia and Gianna..
I mention all of us as Mom was very proud of our large mixed family and how we all get along. Family
get togethers were never small nor boring.
Mom was born in Saskatchewan and was mostly raised in Surrey (Bridgeview) area as a preschooler and
later. She quit high school in order to help take care of her younger brother Bill and to also work to help
support their large family as her Father had passed away quite young at the age of 47.
Her first job was at the A&W Restaurant/drive in where she was a waitress on skates. She was 14 and
the story has it her neighbor was jealous and told them she was only 14 so she had to leave.
Mom had her first child, Kelly in 1961 and her second child, Jackie in 1969 with her first husband.
After her divorce she already knew her soon to be second husband, Chappy, who was recently widowed
with four children. They married in September of 1971. And so it began, the blended family. There were
seven of us and kids and all kinds of others around and one bathroom. Mom and Dad managed to keep
it together with all that goes with a large family.
Mom used to say she couldn't wait for us all to move out and one by one we did, she shed many tears,
even though it was what she hoped for.
There were lots of big gatherings when everyone came home on weekends to visit. We thought they
were big then but that would change. We eventually became more than 50+.
After the last one left home they started to Foster children who were in need. They did that for many
years.
Mom had lots of hobbies over the years, flower arranging, dried arrangements, she took up knitting and
crocheting for a short time. She also tried her hand at painting on wood.
Her biggest form of survival amongst the craziness were Bingo nights with friends or her sisters.
When they finally finished Fostering children, they moved in with her Brother Bill and his wife Maureen
where they stayed for many years in their various suites and got to indulge their love of lawns and
gardens. In the meantime the family kept growing. Mom and Dad had a great capacity for love of their
family and extended families. Mom would say , I can't give money but I can give of myself, and she did,
they both did. Mom was always the first one to offer help in any way that she could, She helped her
siblings when they were ill or in need, nephews, nieces and children.
May 23, 2024 8:11 PM
Mom had many old fashioned , funny sayings that we still laugh about. She definitely did the best she
could and taught us all that love is boundless. We all inherited her stubbornness and fierce
independence for sure.
Farewell Mom, be safe and be well. X
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.11.0