July 22, 1931 - July 8, 2022
Betty passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of July 8th at Tudor
Manor. She was born in Melita Manitoba to Herb and Grace Schooley, the
middle of 9 children. When Betty was 3, the family moved to Bowsman, MB
where she attended school and worked odd jobs ironing and at Ruddock’s
Drugstore. At 17 she left home heading to Brandon, working in a nursing
home, then on to Ontario to work and eventually to Halifax, NS. In 1949 she
married Cliff Nolen whom she had met while he was on leave and visiting his
parents in Bowsman. Cliff was in the Navy and they were transferred twice
to Ottawa and then back to Halifax. Their children Bob, Carol and Linda were
born in Halifax. After 20 years of naval service, Cliff retired and the family
moved to Bowsman leaving behind many lifelong friends, but taking with them
treasured friendships and memories. Betty was a homemaker for many years
and eventually went to work for Steven’s and Cook Insurance in Bowsman.
She loved her job and dealing with the public, re-establishing old friendships
and making many new ones. She was extremely community minded,
being a part of the Legion Auxiliary for 50 years, serving on the Cemetery
Board for many years, TOPS, and for any event that required assistance.
She was a nurturer and helped so many, whether it was her parents, her
mother-in-law, her neighbors, friends or her children and grandchildren. She
gave freely of her time. She loved gardening and spent many hours first in her
garden then canning, freezing and cooking the bounty of her labor. She was
always prepared for the family coming home or friends popping in to serve up
the favourite of everyone who graced her kitchen. Betty and Cliff traveled to
Yuma several winters and enjoyed the family there and the friends they made.
Betty also traveled with her daughter to Hawaii, Mexico, Cuba, an Alaskan
Cruise, Nova Scotia and many trips to Whitefish, Montana and Radium, BC.
After Cliff’s passing, Betty packed up and moved to Okotoks, AB to be near her
son Bob and family in Calgary and daughter Linda and family in Okotoks. She
made a new life for herself amassing numerous new friends, volunteering at
the Urgent Care, Flu Clinics, Okotoks Seniors Club, Sandstone Lodge, driving
friends to events, going to Newcomers and the Alumni. She was so active that
she was recognized by the Okotoks Lions Club as the Citizen of the Year in 2013.
She was delighted to be able to attend all of the events of her ever-growing
family. In 2019 Betty moved to Sandstone Lodge and, requiring additional help,
moved to Tudor Manor May 9 of this year. Family was so important to Betty and
she is survived by her daughter Linda (Doug); grandchildren Trent (Melissa),
Megan (Greg), Lindsay (Jason), Logan (Carly), extended family Geoff (Sandra),
Trevor (Mimi), Kyla (Jeff). She is also survived by her many precious great
grandchildren. She was Grandma Betty to so many! She is survived by sisters
Joyce and Shirley, sister-in-law Daisy, as well as numerous nieces, nephews
and their families. She was predeceased by daughter Carol, son-in-lawDwight
and granddaughter Samantha, her husband, son Bob, her parents, siblings
Frank, Jean, Clifton, Fred, Harold and Bob.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Betty at Snodgrass Funeral Home,
Okotoks, Wednesday, July 13th at 1pm with a reception to follow. Viewing
to precede the service. A graveside service will be held at Bowsman,
Cemetery Monday, July 18th at 11 a.m. laying Betty to rest beside Cliff.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alberta Children’s
Hospital or a charity of your choice. To express condolences, please
visit:www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com
The family would like to thank Dr. Colleen Collar for her many years of
supporting mom, the Home Care staff that were a part of mom’s life for so
many years, the staff at Sandstone Lodge, Dr. Steed, Dr. Van Tonder and the
wonderful nursing staff at Tudor Manor during mom’s short stay there for
doing everything they could to ease her suffering and brighten her days.
Rest now mom. Your work here is done.
