June 25, 1961 – September 7, 2022
We regretfully announce the passing of Betty Jean MacMillan (Hamilton)
on September 7, 2022, surrounded by her loved ones. Betty Jean fought
a courageous two-and half-year battle with cancer and is finally at rest.
She will be forever loved and remembered.
Betty Jean was born in Chatham, New Brunswick and grew up in Nova
Scotia. In 1982, Betty Jean obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
degree from St. Francis Xavier. After working as a loving and dedicated
stay at home mom, Betty Jean began working with the Foothills School
Division in 2003 as a Youth Development Counsellor. She spent Sixteen
years working in Cayley, Blackie and Spitzee School, positively impacting
the lives of many students.
Betty Jean then moved on to work with Alberta Health Care Services
in Rural Mental Health and was member of the Provincial Mental
Health Promotion and Illness Prevention Team. She enjoyed her role in
facilitating staff training sessions to build mental wellness capacity after
natural disasters. Implementing this in Fort McMurray after the fire was
especially rewarding to her.
Her greatest achievement, however, was her family. She raised three
children and recently celebrated her 40th wedding anniversary with her
husband Donald. The family eventually settled in Cayley, Alberta where
they spent twenty-one happy years making great friends and being
involved in the community.
Recent years were enjoyed in High River, Alberta where Betty Jean spent
most of her time relaxing in the backyard “Zen Den” under the weeping
birch tree.
Betty Jean is survived by her husband Donald, children Calum of
Kelowna, Sheila of Edmonton, and Sean (Kim) of Calgary, her brothers
Gordon (Rose) of Warman, Saskatchewan, Robert of Ambergris Caye,
Belize and sister-in-law Gerri of Nova Scotia, as well as many nieces
and nephews. Betty Jean is predeceased by her parents Flight Sergeant
Murray Osmond Hamilton and Minnie Gertrude Hamilton (Locke) and her
brother Commander Murray Wayne Fraser Hamilton.
The family of Betty Jean would like to thank the palliative care team
and Foothills Country Hospice for the care and support throughout Betty
Jeans final days.
A celebration of life will take place on September 15, 2022, at Snodgrass
Funeral Chapel in High River, Alberta. Donations can be made to the
Foothills Country Hospice if desired.
Arrangements in care of Snodgrass Funeral Homes High River, Alberta.
Please visit www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com to email condolences.
