April 21, 1933 - April 2, 2024
In loving memory ~
Elizabeth (Betty) Margaret Vanelli (née Clarke), beloved wife, mother and nana, dedicated teacher, party hostess and community organizer, passed away on April 2, 2024, at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital. She was days shy of her 91st birthday.
Born in Trail on April 21, 1933, to James and Violet Clarke, Betty's family moved back to England for a few years before her father decided to return to Canada in 1938 due to storm clouds over Europe. She enjoyed a fun, if somewhat mischievous, upbringing in East Trail, along with her older brother Reginald. They were a tight-knit family, with Betty active in Girl Guides, Sunday School and teen dances.
After graduating high school, Betty attended Senior Matric and went on to Normal School in Victoria to earn her teacher's certificate. During this time, she met Elsio, her life partner, and they married in 1954. Together for 64 years, they raised their children Lorne, Dale and Carol Ann. Living in the Gyro Park neighbourhood, much fun and good laughs were shared with the Nelson, Haas, LeFort, Gariepy, Mondin, Roblin and Pasqualotto families to name a few. Betty loved to entertain, and cooking meals for large gatherings of family and friends was her passion.
She started her teaching career at the Tadanac Elementary School until her marriage and children. She then taught as a substitute teacher in the Trail public school system for many years, causing her son Dale profound embarrassment by subbing in his class too. Betty also served as a full-time teacher at St. Michael's School for many years.
An avid seamstress and fashion plate, Betty made many of her dresses for formals at the Colombo and Italiano Canadese lodges. She gave hand-me-downs new meaning as she repurposed almost every article of clothing her kids had for the next one in line and created special outfits for every major occasion in their lives. She was a world-class knitter, as her handiwork received compliments from across Canada, Europe, New Zealand and Australia as well as other locales where knitting is revered as a high art.
Betty was an inaugural board member of the Trail Home Support organization for the care of seniors in their homes. As an avid lover of the water, Betty greatly helped spearhead the realization of the Trail Aquatic Centre after years of organizing and lobbying. Her love of physical fitness, and her love of cooking marvelous, nutritional food, helped her live for over 90 years.
Nana's greatest joy in her later years was caring for, and spending time, with her Sweetheart, her granddaughter Grace. Many happy days were spent at outings at Gyro Park and in playgroups, as well as baking cookies and making pasta and pizza. She delighted in watching Grace move on to university to start a career in fashion.
Betty is survived by her sons Lorne and Dale, daughter Carol Ann and husband Rob Worosz, granddaughter Grace, cousins Ron and Audrey Akroyd, Lynne and Walter Worosz, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her loving husband Elsio, her parents and brother, and in-laws Agnesse and Guido Vannelli.
A service will be held at St. Andrew's Anglican Church (1347 Pine Ave.) on Thursday, May 2, at 1 pm, officiated by Martha Fish, Priest. A tea will follow in the Church reception hall. Gwen Ziprick of Clark's Funeral Services has been entrusted with arrangements.
As an expression of sympathy, donations in Betty's memory may be made to the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital Health Foundation (Greatest Need) at 1200 Hospital Bench, Trail, BC V1R 4M1 or online at www.kbrhhealthfoundation.ca
And lastly, Mum had a ritual with family when saying goodbye at her door. So, we give you a hug, blow you a kiss and say, "See you soon" - and from Grace, "See you soonday, Nana". We love you, Mum.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family's online register at www.clarksfuneral.ca
Service Details
1:00 PM