Elizabeth “Betty” Hebblethwaite passed away peacefully on February 10, 2022 at her daughter’s lakeside home. Born the daughter of the late Elizabeth and James Brabender, in 1929, she was the sole surviving member of her family of six sisters- Isabelle, Muriel, Molly, Peggy, Dorothy, Ruth and one brother- Jim. Betty was a supportive, loving partner to her farming husband, Garnet (2012) for 64 years in the New Scotland area. Decades ago bookkeeping, hoeing beans rows, “go-fer” of machinery parts, canning and pickling foods were a part of her daily life as a farmer’s wife. Their son, Tom (Susan), and grandson Matthew (Christianne), continue their legacy as good stewards of the land, as a cashcrop/vegetable farmer. Her three daughters, Linda Knox (Don 2016), Debbie Labute (Dale) and Susan Hebblethwaite, pursued careers and raised their families embraced by her many kind gestures and thoughtful advice.
Betty was a talented seamstress who created beautiful, cozy quilts, mended jeans and bib coveralls. As a tireless knitter, balls of yarn became slippers for many or afghans gifted to grandchildren as they ventured off to new schools or careers. Lively conversations paired with tasty appetizers and entrees, Christmas fruitcake and puddings were enjoyed around her dining table each December as her family travelled from near and far to spend Christmas at the farm. In later years, her granddaughters found Grandma Hebb’s fashion sense classic and admirable! Her shared sense of humour delighted grandchildren at holiday sleepovers, Rondeau beaches, sporting events and school performances. Her steadfast Christian faith sustained her through both difficult and joyous life experiences. As a CGIT leader, supporter of midweek youth church programs, group Bible study participant and a palliative care volunteer, she practiced the lessons of scripture.
Phone calls, cards and visits kept Betty involved with her 13 grandchildren: Greg (1992), Michael (Becky), Sarah (Billy Joe); Joel (Lauren), Jocelyn (David), Justine (Coulson); Jennifer (Scott), Karen (Jake), David; Tammy (John), Amanda, Lauren (Devon), and Matthew (Christianne). She welcomed their spouses and friends into her life. Seventeen great-grandchildren respected and loved Great Gramma Hebb: Liam, Arden, Ryan, Livia, Aubree, David; Alex, Hailey, Sophie, Madden, Harrison; Emmet, Audrey, Chase, Marshall; Reid and Sadie. In later years, Betty and Garnet enjoyed winter trips to the southern USA with friends and an overseas trip to Glasgow to meet Scottish relatives. The McDiarmid, Stirling and Bokor families were good friends of the Hebblethwaite family for decades.
We are thankful for the recent support from PSW’s and nurses for their professional care. Betty respected “Dr. Martha’s” expertise and appreciated her sincere empathy. With grateful hearts, we honour Debbie and Dale Labute for sharing their home with Mom and giving her a comfortable, safe refuge, while providing her daily caregiving for the past two years. Betty’s wishes for this stage of her life were uncomplicated. Cremation has taken place and a service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Blenheim on July 9, 2022 at 11am. Friends wishing to honour and remember Betty are asked to consider The Gathering Place or Word of Life Church Soup Kitchen. A memorial video of Betty’s life can be watched by clicking the following link: http://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/4ST5D44NSHN25QZC
