Betty Joan ("BJ") left us suddenly at the age of 94. True to her nature she went on her own terms-with grace and dignity. Predeceased by her husband, Alan Mount; her daughter Patricia; and her granddaughter Murphy. BJ is survived by her daughters Carole and Ann (Marc Sandercombe) and her adoring grandchildren, Coady, Madeline, Katie, Matthew, and Lucy. She was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, \and grandmother. BJ was born in Kellogg, Idaho to Herb and Ella Stanton. The family moved to Kimberley in 1928. She grew up, the eldest child of five (Russell, Roger, Carole, Gaye) in this small sports-minded community until leaving for nurse's training during WW2. She returned after the war and began working at the hospital in Kimberley where her mother was the head-matron. Soon after her return, BJ met the love of her life, Alan Hickey, when he moved to Kimberley to manage the Bank of Montreal. They were married in 1949 and travelled BC as Al's career with the bank flourished. Over the next 20 years they moved across Canada, eventually settling in the Lower Mainland in 1969. They made many life-long friends along the way.
Betty Joan continued to work as an RN while focussing her energy on raising 3 active daughters. She worked for many years at the Burnaby General Hospital. She was very active, but her greatest passion was playing golf. Both she and Al were long-time members of the Vancouver Golf Club and they travelled extensively on golf trips with close friends. There were many family winter ski holidays and long summers spent in Kelowna at Beacon Beach Resort.
Betty Joan was grateful for her many friends and family. She genuinely enjoyed being with people, asking about their lives and sharing a meal over a glass of wine (with 3 ice cubes, one for each daughter!). She was truly a listener and a master of the art of conversation. During her later years, BJ loved to spend time by the ocean at her special place in Qualicum Landing on Vancouver Island.
There will be no service at BJ's request. The family would like to thank her amazing physician Dr John Yap, the staff at Thornebridge Gardens, and her personal care-aids Hermes, Marivic, Kim, Cristy and Maria. A special thank you to her dear friends Debbie and Bill Amiba.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in BJ's name to the Canadian Red Cross Society.
There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be with us in our hearts.