Tribute

Betty Jean Word

August 7, 1921 – December 25, 2009

Betty and France Word always said “it isn’t enough to attend church and a Bible study – you need to know Jesus personally.” Betty kept these values and her life was one of service. A talented piano player and musician, she always was there to help.
Her husband, France, often said she was “little but mighty” and it would be better to let her have her way and not to argue with her. Her family have seen this trait as a strength throughout the years. She truly was the wife and mother of Proverbs 31. In 1963, France semi-retired from a busy surgical practice because of health reasons. They moved to a cattle ranch in the Cariboo, where France could also practice medicine in nearby Quesnel. Betty willingly made the transition from comfort and status in West Vancouver to life in a log house on the ranch Here she would be out in sub zero weather delivering new calves or busy feeding a haying crew in the summer. Always the lady, she wore a dress even doing ranch work!
Eventually, France retired and sold the ranch. He and Betty moved to a lovely apartment near Stanley Park, overlooking English Bay. God led them into Full Gospel Business Men International and for five years were in full time ministry. With her husband, and later on her own, Betty went on air lifts with this organization, spreading the love of God abroad. Her gentle grace was so accepted in any nation and any language. She reached out to people.
Betty loved to travel, and after her husband passed away in 1984, she was a woman who seemed to want to see as much of the world as she could. She even lived in France for six weeks with her French class, speaking only French. A few years later, it was Mexico, practicing Spanish with host families. When not travelling, she played in a harmonica band at the West Vancouver Seniors Centre, went on hikes, squared danced, and generally kept very active.
She was a lady with a purpose and the family would say that in order to see Mom, you needed to make an appointment. Yet when needed by family, she would be there to assist. She looked forward to her visits with son John in Vernon, and daughter Susan’s family in Atlanta, GA. She enjoyed driving vacations with Betty-Jo and Steve.
Sadly, her children watched this wonderful vibrant woman succumb to Alzheimers Disease, and Betty-Jo brought her to Oliver to receive care during her final years. Yet Betty continued to rely on her Christian faith to sustain her – the faith that enabled her family to communicate with her in those anxious moments. A prayer, a song or a soft touch would always quiet her down.
Betty’s life was full for over 80 years and many have been blessed by her testimony, her service and her prayers. Betty-Jo, Susan and John honor her legacy she has left, and rejoice that she is now reunited with her beloved France.