Betty Marline Atkinson

Betty passed peacefully on May 10, 2025 in Palliative Care following her surprise cancer diagnosis. Her dearly loved Ross Place community will miss her many contributions in the home she and Don came to in 2018. Her legacy of laughter, and the joy she brought to all her endeavours, will long outlive her.

She is predeceased by Don, her husband of 65 years, and leaves her sister Leah Manley (Rod), children Cheryl (Dean Smith), Bill (Helene Doucet) and Donna (Glen Music) to mourn her loss. She adored her grandchildren Lesley McPherson, Alex Xavier and Kelly Mallette (Kevin) and being great grandmother to Maddie, Romea, and Kealeigh.

Her life began in Lakefield but Wrightville and Ottawa were central to her childhood and adult life. The multicultural environment of Lisgar Collegiate inspired her open mindedness. She was proud of her Ottawa Civic Hospital graduation in 1954, and the lifelong friendships she made there, and enjoyed the diversity of the work that followed during her long nursing career. She balanced this carefully with her unwavering support for Don and her dedication to her kids. Retirement brought many pursuits – cottage life, boating, RVing, snowbirding in Palm Hill and finally moving to Victoria in 2006. Social sports like curling and shuffleboard were lifelong interests with many friendships made.

Betty would appreciate your donations to Dying with Dignity, which she has supported for years, and to the Canadian Cancer Society.