Betty Eileen Ford (nee Parsons) (November 23, 1927 – August 11, 2022)
Our cherished Mother passed peacefully in her 95th year at University Hospital, London Ontario. Betty was a proud lifelong resident of Paris and parishioner of St. James Anglican Church. Predeceased by her husband Keith of 55 years, she was much loved by her family. Daughters Laurie Ford and Valerie Licskai, son-in-law Dr. Christopher Licskai and granddaughters Dr. Megann Licskai (Halifax) and Ms. Hanna Licskai (London).
Betty retired as Head Nurse at the Paris Willett Hospital after a 42 year career caring for her community. She was a leader and mentor for generations of nurses. Her belief in Ontario’s public health system and the importance of the Willett was in full display as she pushed back against the proposed closure of the Willett in the mid-1990’s. Not one to bring attention to herself, her fight to keep the Willett a centre piece of her community was uncharacteristically fierce. Long after her retirement she volunteered at the Willett’s Urgent Care department.
Betty, well into her 80’s, also pushed strenuously to keep the Seniors exercise program at the Willett available to the community when space and cost became an issue. She believed emphatically that exercise, wellness and activity lessened the burden on the healthcare system. In the end she and her friends were triumphant and loved their workouts and many lunches.
Betty and Keith enjoyed many happy winters in Polk City Florida with friends and family. Another source of great joy was over 4 decades of dachshunds.
Betty valued education and vigorously supported the academic development of her daughters and granddaughters. She adored her two brilliant grandchildren and was unabashedly proud of Megann’s PhD from Yale University and Hanna’s Master of Digital Experience & Innovation from the University of Waterloo. She was so pleased to witness the start of their careers and their many other achievements. Her girls were her whole world.
Betty’s pragmatic and common-sense approach to life was much admired by nieces and nephews. She is survived by brother Doug Parsons (Paris) and sister Yvonne Walker (Jim) (Edmonton). She was predeceased by brother Bud (Frederick) Parsons.
Special thanks to all who supported Betty as she entered her nineties. Throughout her physical decline she remained independent, sharp and “directional” with her expectations. She left this life as she lived it: in control and calling the shots.
Heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Christopher Licskai who lovingly and gently guided important health decisions for Betty over the last few years.
Her family asks for donations to the Brant Community Healthcare Foundation. Betty’s greatest wish would be that any donations be directed to the Paris Willett Hospital Urgent Care. The redevelopment of the Willett is underway and helping support this important institution is important to the Town of Paris. All donations can be made at: c/o of the BCHS Foundation www.bchsysfoundation.org or call: 519.751.5510
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Betty Eileen Ford Parison Thursday August 11th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Paris, Province: Ontario