LABERGE, BettyAnn
1945 – 2022
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news of the passing of our beloved Betty Ann LaBerge (neé Labelle). She died peacefully May 19, 2022 at Kirkland Lake District Hospital surrounded by her loved ones. Betty Ann was a loving wife to her late husband, Terry LaBerge for 60 years, beloved mother to Terri Lively (Don Lively) and Douglas LaBerge (Karen LaBerge), cherished grandmother to Brittany Giles (Richard Greenly), Kaitlin St. Pierre (Ryan St. Pierre), Karlee Sawyer (Adam Sawyer), Landin LaBerge, and great-grandmother to Thomas Greenly and Hanna St. Pierre. Betty Ann was excited to welcome three more great-grandchildren this summer. Betty Ann will be loved and missed by her sisters, Laura Lindsay (Ken Lindsay) and Diane Douglas (Neil Douglas), and is predeceased by her parents, Charles and Alvina Labelle (neé Swanson). She will be deeply missed by her family, countless friends (especially her cherished friends, Rena Reisewitz and Ann Hammond with whom she shares many wonderful memories) and by her beloved community of Kirkland Lake.
There was truly no one like Betty Ann. She had an unforgettable presence and a contagious laugh that filled the room. She knew how to have a great time — she loved singing to good music, eating good food, and would never turn down a treat, especially if it was a butter tart or strawberry ice cream cone. She would bring laughter and joy to every situation. Betty Ann was not a rule-follower and chose the road less travelled. She never took life too seriously and tried to see the good in every person and situation. Her love knew no bounds and her heart was big. Betty Ann was loyal to family and friends, caring deeply for others even if they had not spoken in years. She had a special place in her heart for the underdog and would do anything it took to make everyone in the room feel loved and seen.
Betty Ann met her sweetheart, Terry, when she was just a teenager at Round Lake. She always felt it was love at first sight. They were married in 1962 and built a beautiful life together. She would often say, “Terry is the best husband in the world”. As different as two people could be, they were a magnetic pair that adored each other through the years. Terry would set out for his hunting and fishing trips and Betty Ann on her trips to the Casino and shopping with girlfriends. She loved these trips away but was most excited to come home to Terry. She has missed him dearly since his passing in January, 2021. At the end of her life she often expressed she was ready to be reunited with her love again.
Betty Ann was consistently committed to her community. She loved Kirkland Lake and was incredibly proud of where she came from. She was a founding member of Friends of the Rock and part of many other volunteer and fundraising committees. If Betty Ann saw a need, she would figure out a way to meet it. She was proud of her career and the connections she made in her time at Beneficial. She was adored and admired by her colleagues and clients alike. As much as she loved Kirkland Lake, her favourite place on earth was Mount Rose at her beloved Camp. Betty Ann and Terry were both in their element there. She relished in the peace and comfort that being at Camp brought, along with visits with friends, boat rides, snowmobile and 4-wheeler rides, fish fries, and corn roasts. She was her happiest and most content being at Camp with Terry.
Betty Ann held many roles throughout her life and wore many hats (including being a Red Hat Lady herself). She was a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, and friend. One of the most precious roles she held was being called “Nana”. Her grandkids brought her joy but she brought them even more. She brought the best treats in town and games to every family get together (we will never play 7-11 without thinking of her). Some of the most cherished memories will be drives up to Camp with Nana singing her heart out, chewing her Juicy Fruit gum, and offering quarters to her grandkids for spotting wildlife.
The loss of Betty Ann will be felt by so many. Her love and legacy will live on through her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We love you and miss you more than words can say. We will think of you every time we hear one of your favourite songs, The Rose, and the seeds of love you have left for us here…
“When the night has been too lonely, and the road has been too long, and you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong, just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows, lies the seed that with the sun’s love in the spring becomes the rose”.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of LABERGE BettyAnn 1945 2022..
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Death notice for the town of: Kirkland Lake, Province: Ontario