We Remember
HILLIS, Betty Ann (née Marr)
October 20, 1940 — August 28, 2023
Betty was called to the Lord on August 28th, 2023, at the age of 82 in Kelowna, BC, Canada.
Words cannot describe what Betty meant to those who were fortunate enough to know her. She was a pillar of strength and a beacon of love, who will be immensely missed by her family and loved ones. Betty is survived by her loving husband Bob Hillis of 47 years, and children Flora (Peter) Henderson, Kathleen Hillis, Eileen (Evan) Sudul, Rob (Tracey) Hillis, Mary Hillis, and John Hillis. She is also survived by her grandchildren Duncan and Robbie Henderson, Ethan, William and Lauren Sudul, and Maralyn and Charlie Hillis.
Betty was born on October 20th, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan. The middle child of three, she always spoke of fond memories growing up with her brother, sister, and dog Poody. She enjoyed life in the big city while spending vacations in the Upper Peninsula. The colourful fall leaves were always a memory she cherished of the “U.P.”. Betty is predeceased by her parents William and Theresa Marr, and her brother Bill Marr. She is survived by her sister Joyce (Leo) Barry, sister-in-law Edna Marr, numerous nieces, and nephews, as well as great nieces and nephews.
Her career began with The Detroit Edison Company, at that time one of the largest electrical providers in America, as a clerk in the typist pool. During her 18 years with Detroit Edison, she showed her dedication and hard work while advancing to the position of Secretary of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Walker Cisler, who she considered a dear friend. Always fashionable and classy, on a weekend shopping trip with her treasured work friends to Toronto, Ontario, Betty got on an elevator that would change the course of her life. She met her future husband Bob, and the two were forever together.
Betty relocated to Vancouver with Bob, where she began her calling as a mother. After four years, the young family moved to Kelowna, where they settled. Raising six children was a challenge Betty excelled at through hard work and a bright attitude. In times of prosperity and challenging times, there was one constant, Betty’s leadership and quiet confidence. She was a proud parent to six successful children who were able to flourish due to the foundation and love she provided.
Though her life was quite busy, including starting her own business, she always made time for her cherished friendships and those in need. Betty was a devout Catholic and lived her life serving the Lord. She was never one to judge, but always there to provide gentle guidance. This made her a valuable member of the Holy Spirit and Corpus Christi Churches, the Catholic Women’s League, the St Vincent De Paul Society, and the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (IODE). She loved telling stories of all the various people who came into the IODE Thrift Shop and was proud to serve those in need.
The final years of her life were challenging, as Betty was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. She met those challenges with the same positivity and vigour as any other experience in her life.
The family would like to thank the staff of David Lloyd Jones Home for their kindness and compassion over the past three years.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Parkinson Canada or to the St Vincent De Paul Society.
Please join us at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, for a Funeral Mass at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 750 Rutland Road N. Kelowna, BC. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream (see below) at the time of the service, a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
LIVESTREAM:
Service
Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at 11:00 AM
Location
Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 750 Rutland Road N. Kelowna, BC
Share with Others:
Parkinson Canada or St Vincent De Paul Society Link: www.parkinson.ca/getinvolved/waystogive/, www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/society-of-st-vincent-de-paul-saint-theresas-conference-k/.
Service Information
Service Details
The service for HILLIS, Betty Ann (née Marr) is scheduled for Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at 11:00 AM. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 750 Rutland Road N. Kelowna, BC
750 Rutland Road N. Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
My DEAR SWEET SISTER!!. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.. I will Miss you forever until we Meet Again. You were always the BEST. ALL MY LOVE sent to you . To the family. What a Lucky lady she was to have a Wonderful and CARING Husband and six VERY LOVING children. You were so very good to her and she Loved all of you to the MOON AND BACK. God Bless all of you for being the BEST!! Auntie Joyce
Dear Kat and family
My condolences. While I only met your sweet Mom once I recall her warm greeting. I’m very sorry for your loss.
Dear Hillis family,
We are so very sorry for your loss.
The world has lost an incredible life a truly beautiful soul. You have our sincerest condolences, our deepest sympathies, and our unending love. You all are in our thoughts and Betty is forever in our hearts. We will remember her strength, her kindness, and her big heart. Much love to you all ❤️
Love The Lyon Family ,
Ashley and Chris
My deepest condolences on the passing of your amazing mother.
My sincerest condolences to the family. I have wonderful memories growing up alongside the Hillis clan and was always fond of ‘Mrs. Hillis’. I can’t recall her being anything but kind and supportive to me. She was always interested in what was happening in your life and made you feel special. What a wonderful example for the world.
On behalf of Ceol na hEireann, our condolence to you Bob, to all your family and Betty’s family. When she was able, it was always lovely to see Betty in the audience, especially when Bob had a solo to sing. She was a wonderful Lady, very supportive of all her family, far & wide. She was loved by all of us. Betty is now free of pain and looking down on all of you. May she rest in peace.
Sorry for your loss. Only met Betty (my second cousin) once. However, she left a lasting impression on me. Now she is in the hands of our Lord, sheltered forever from all life’s pain. Her grandmother was a sister to my grandfather Edward Byrne.
Dear Aunt Betty you will be missed very much! I have so many good memories of our trips out to Kelowna and your visits here to Detroit. You have been an important part of our lives and your absence will leave a large hole. However, I’m glad that you are no longer suffering and I hope you are in a beautiful, peaceful place! My deepest condolences to Uncle Bob and all my cousins (Flora, Kat, Eileen, Robert, Mary & John). You have taken such good care of her and she was so lucky to have all of you. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Sending all of our love, Marie, Todd, Brendan & Kaitlyn
Uncle Bob, cousins, and the whole extended Hillis family,
We send you all our deepest sympathy and condolences at this very difficult time. You have all been in our thoughts & we are wishing you comfort in knowing Aunt Betty is at peace without suffering or pain now. She went through so much and was so strong-willed and tough till the end, just as you all were/are as a family with extraordinary devotion and love. Aunt Betty was such a very sweet aunt I am so lucky to have had. Any time we talked, she always made me feel at ease & cared about. She never had a bad word to say about anyone- you could tell she just wanted the best for everyone without judgment of any kind. Although the Barry family was so far away, she and Uncle Bob always took the time to send birthday cards and Christmas presents to which I remember always being excited to open the “packages” as a young child. All the trips we spent going to Kelowna from Michigan to visit Aunt Betty and all of you were amongst the most special times and vacations for me personally. I still associate the taste of raspberries with Aunt Betty because she would make us toast and jam for breakfast from the raspberries in the backyard. I hardly remember a special occasion that she missed going to in Michigan – it was obvious how much loved us and wanted to help celebrate our big moments.
We LOVE you Aunt Betty and will ALWAYS cherish your beautiful memory.
Love, Linda, Jeff, Ryan and Michael XOXOXOXO
Deepest condolences. Was a wonderderful lady. Thinking off you all.
Rob and Ash
Dear Bob Hillis & family, I’m so sorry for your loss! Always enjoyed seeing Betty. May she rest in peace!
Uncle Bob, Flora, Kat, Eileen, Robert, Mary and John The service was so beautiful today, the only way it could be, for dear Aunt Betty and I felt her calming presence. She will be missed, but left such a warm and loving example, and I thank her for being someone to show us the way God wants us to be. I love you all very much.
Kathy, Savannah and Tabitha
-Savannah always remembers Aunt Betty telling us as we were cross country skiing at Emerald Lake Lodge “Don’t think of falling, and you won’t”.