Betty Gervin

Lunney - Betty (Mary Elizabeth)
October 25, 1926 – January 15, 2016.

Peacefully, following a brief illness, Betty passed away after 89 wonderful years of love and laughter. Cherished daughter to Eva Eleanor and James (Jim) Charles Gervin. Adored little sister to John William (Bill) Gervin (Hilda). Beloved wife of Jim (William James) Lunney (deceased). Adored Mom to Susan (Roy) Mott and Maureen Lunney (John Ivanic). Cherished grandmother to Lee and Wade Mott.

Proudly born in Almonte, Ontario during the Roaring Twenties, Mom really grew up during the Depression and Second World War, living on Florence Street, Ottawa. She vividly remembered wonderful times, making their own fun, playing in the park with all the neighbourhood kids. Betty attended Lisgar Collegiate with her brother Bill Gervin, and St Luke’s Anglican Church. Betty had great memories of the Anglican Young Peoples Association and the Protestant Girls League – picnics and dances, and acting in plays. She enjoyed vacations to Pine Lodge and Goderich with girlfriends, most being beloved friends throughout her life. As a young woman, Mom worked at National Revenue where she had great fun with co-workers and enjoyed bowling leagues. She loved dancing and sang in the choir at St Luke’s and with the YWCA Georgian Singers. Fellow singer and lifelong friend Margaret Leahy introduced her cousin Jim Lunney to Betty. Jim won Betty over with his charm and sense of adventure, and they married in 1959. Mom and Dad enjoyed 46 years of very wedded bliss before Dad died in 2005. Dad was with Parks Canada, and he and Mom travelled west in 1959 to their first posting in Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba. The adventure continued to the Mountain Parks: Jasper (welcome Susan), Banff (hello Maureen), Waterton Lakes, and Revelstoke. These were great years of living in Canada’s breathtaking Rockies and Selkirks. Hikes and picnics. Wildlife – bears and deer in the yards. Much love and fun. After a few years in Calgary, we moved to Parks HQ in Ottawa and Mom & Dad happily re-joined family and many friends of their youth. Mom was unfailingly kind and always loving and fun-loving. Mom was a great tease with a wicked sense of humour and fun that often had us collapsed in tears of laughter. Mom’s knitting bag was never far from her and she made the most exquisite baby sweaters that adorned not only her children, but those of her friends, and her daughters’ friends. Mom and Dad travelled, with friends and on their own, to Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Hungary, the West, the States, and wintered often in North Carolina. Mom adored Roy, and they enjoyed talking golf and sports. Mom welcomed and loved John. They shared a deep love for the “fur” kids and Mom was always there to help whenever she was needed. Mom was thrilled to become a grandmother and completely adored grandsons Lee and Wade. The boys were always perfect in her eyes and she was very proud of them. In 2000, we began mother-daughter getaways that were wonderful fun and which we will always treasure. Mom loved puzzles, reading, big band music, Ottawa football, and always had a cookie for every child or dog who visited. Mom was the best listener and was a wonderful confidante to not only Susan and Maureen but to many of their friends as well. Mom was very grateful for her wonderful neighbours who helped her stay in her own home and be independent.

Mom loved us completely and unconditionally for just who we are. Her loving, kind and humorous nature gives us strength and we will treasure our wonderful memories of this truly lovely woman.

Friends may visit at the Kars Chapel of Tubman Funeral Homes,1610 Roger Stevens Drive, Kars on Friday, January 22, from 6 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, from 12:30 p.m. until time of service in the chapel at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception. Those wishing may make memorial donations to the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society or the Trans Canada Trail Foundation.