Oddy, Betty

Betty Oddy (nee Wolfers) passed away peacefully at Lanark Lodge in Perth Ontario, on October 25 2016 at 6:24 a.m. She died fifty-five days after first declining food. Such strength and resilience are a tribute to her cockney roots when nothing came easily and you had to fight for each and every success in life - including death. Mum never passed up a song, and learned in her last few years, that to sing as loudly as possible can offer the greatest feeling ever. Our last 5 weeks were spent in song, stories, many smiles, hugs and kisses. She died just 12 hours after her eldest daughter Carole. The timing for our family is beyond comprehension and we are steadying ourselves on the shoulders of friends and each other as we try to understand this strange synchrony. She was a well-loved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, mother-in-law, and friend.

Nana Betty, lived a remarkable life. She believed that to live a good life, you must treasure everything you have, love your family, and jump on every opportunity that comes your way. She was very proud of all of our accomplishments and always believed that our endeavors would lead to a great fortune. She loved animals- especially dogs and birds at the feeder, and treasured every gift that was given to her. Singing her favorite songs, being among flowers and gardens, and drinking a good cup of tea were all things she loved.

A young mother alone in London while Russ fought the fight, Bette, was an eye witness to the Battle of Britain. She stood in the streets and watched the planes fly overhead. She talked of being in the shelters for hours and hours with her new born baby – our sister Carole, as they waited for the bombing to stop.

Bette married Russ Oddy in 1939 and has four children who are all spread out over the world –3 daughters and a son. She had 3 sisters and 2 brothers, who live(d) in England and in Australia. Nana Bette has 9 grandchildren, most of whom she never got to know because of the distances between us all. She also has 9 great grandchildren, also far away and not known to her. This was always a regret for her but the world is a big place and in our family, staying put has never been the norm.

This Friday afternoon we will have a gathering at our home where we will share stories, poems and songs in her honour. Please join us at 2:00 p.m. 331 Otty Way in Perth ON. If you would like to donate to a charity in her honour, please send to Lanark Animal Welfare Society, or the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund. These were her two most favourite things - animals and music - aside from her family.

We give the greatest of thanks to the incredible sisterhood on Honeysuckle at Lanark Lodge. Their care of her over the past 5 years and compassion in these past weeks has been remarkable.