Betty’ Doris Elizabeth (Cable) Bartley
1937 – 2015
In the mid-afternoon of Monday November 2, 2015, ‘Betty’ Doris Elizabeth (Cable) Bartley passed away at the age of 77 years. Betty was born on November 26, 1937 in the Wetaskiwin area to James and Irene Cable and was the eldest of six children. The family moved to Tees then to Edmonton first living in Walter Dale Flats and finally to Jasper Place where Betty spent most of her young life and graduated in 1955 from West Jasper Place High School. Betty always had a loving and caring nature and she knew that in her heart that she wanted to be a nurse. In 1959 Betty graduated from the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton with her Registered Nursing diploma. Betty then moved to the residence of the Alberta Hospital Ponoka in 1959 and graduated with her Registered Psychiatric Nursing diploma. She decided to stay on with the Alberta Hospital Ponoka and worked on many wards but most of her time there was spent working on Hopewell 2 South and Hopewell 2 North. While in Ponoka, she met David Bartley and they were married on June 18, 1960 and four children Fern, Bret, Adele and Blair were born into this marriage. Betty’s personal belief of the image of a nurse was the traditional starched snow white uniforms with the cap and that she must reflect this portrayal for the immediate recognition to all of those needing help. When Betty’s uniforms became old and could not be replaced, she reluctantly surrendered them and began wearing the nursing scrubs. It has been noted that Betty was one of the very last nurses to be seen wearing the traditional nurses’ uniforms. In 1986, Betty moved from the Alberta Hospital Ponoka (now the Centennial Centre) to the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre and worked there until 1992 when her back and hips finally wore out. Retirement was not something that came easily for Betty but she knew that if she could not provide the best service to her patients and co-workers then she would sadly have to leave. Throughout her many years of pain and surgeries that weakened her physically, Betty’s compassionate dedication towards people remained strong and she continued to do everything in her power to help anyone especially those that were alone and needed the most attention. Betty was always more concerned about other people’s ailments and suffering than she ever was with her own. Betty was an avid gardener planting anything and everything. Many of her hours were spent canning and freezing vegetables and fruit. Betty enjoyed her indoor and outdoor flowers especially growing African Violets from shoots that she had started. Betty loved learning about the world in which we live in and the people in it whether it pertained to the past, present or future gaining her knowledge through her travels, reading, listening to the news, or conversations with others. As painful as it is for us to let her go, it means more to us that she is no longer in pain. Betty will be lovingly remembered by her husband David Bartley, daughter Fern (Tom) and children Dylan and Courtney Hoar, daughter Adele and children Anna and Jens Ostergaard, and son Blair (Jennifer) and children Kailyn and Amber Bartley. Also by her sister Keitha Agate, brother Jim (Heather) Cable, brother Ian Cable, sister Bonnie Cable (Neil Fraser), and her numerous other relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her parents Jim and Irene Cable, son Bret Bartley, and sister Helen Farbridge. A Memorial Service was held on Tuesday November 10, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion in Ponoka with Reverend Dr. Doreen Sturla Scott officiating. Memorial donations are gratefully accepted to the Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse. To express condolences to Betty’s family, please visit www.womboldfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements Entrusted To Ponoka Funeral Home
~ A Wombold Family Funeral Home ~