Betty Jean Brunner

Betty Jean Brunner was born in Vancouver, BC, November 11, 1931 to Arthur & Beatrice Bentley. She lived her childhood years in the Kitsilano neighborhood of Vancouver, growing up in a Craftsman home surrounded by rose gardens, with a large porch where she could play with a nearby street full of kids.

Betty was eager to explore her independence and left school early at 16 to work for the local telephone company. Those early days were filled with roller skating and then dancing where she met her husband-to-be Bill. Eventually Betty and Bill married and settled down, moving from Vancouver to the town of Tsawwassen, where they built a home and raised 3 kids. While always involved in sports and the considerable activities of their kids, they also took time to travel in many parts of the world internationally and by RV across Canada, the US and Mexico.

Betty’s husband Bill retired early, after selling his small meat market in Vancouver. They sold their home in Tsawwassen, moving to a summer cabin at Osprey Lake which they renovated into a lakeside home. They lived at Osprey Lake for 14 wonderful years, snowmobiling with friends and family in the winter, fishing and exploring the lakes and wilderness around the area. Eventually they moved to a community known as Parker Cove on Okanagan Lake near Vernon, until Bill’s passing in 2000.

In 2013 Betty moved to Salmon Arm to be closer to her daughter. She lived at Piccadilly Place, a senior independant living home, where she had many fond memories of Saturday Night Live skits, pool tournaments and the people she came to know.

If you knew Betty, you probably knew just how bright her spirit was. She loved to socialize and be with family and friends. When talking with you, she was always engaged, a listener who added the stories of her own rich life into the conversation. She will be so missed by those whose lives she has touched.

Betty was predeceased by her parents, half-sisters Eileen and Muriel, and brother Cecil (Ted) on her mother’s side. She was also predeceased by half-siblings, Nellie, Eileen, Marjorie, Jim, and Alf on her father’s side, a loving husband William (Bill). In later years, long after Bill’s passing, Betty was predeceased by her beloved companion, Ben Harrison.

She is survived by her daughter Leanna (Darcy), and sons Mike (Ingrid) and David (Karla); grandchildren, Matt (Sarah), Kyle (Jessica), Todd (Chantalle), Cory (Kellie), Sandy, Mark, and Erin, as well as ten great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Betty’s name may be given to The Salvation Army or Heart&Stroke.ca.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Pleasant Valley Funeral Home, (250) 542-4333. To leave a condolence for the family, please visit pleasantvalleyfh.com.