Betty Jean Mcinnes

Betty Jean McInnes Betty McInnes was born Betty Jean Kline on August 18, 1926, into a family of Methodists in southern California. She rejoiced in loving service to others, devotion to family and living her Quaker values. She was many things to countless people: a mentor as a public health nurse in Greater Victoria; a beloved, long-time member of North America's Quaker community; mother of Nancy McInnes, Craig McInnes, Micki Stirling and Alan McInnes; grandmother of Sara Cottell, Nori Sinclair, Suzanne Stirling, William McInnes, Mary McInnes, Josh McInnes, Aaron Hobby, Deanna Akselson, Sienna Caspar and Eavonka Ettinger; great-grandmother of Stella, Lucy, Ben, Theo, Rylan, Grant, Reid, Reagan, Riley and Corrina; mother-in-law of Dick Pollard and Vivian Smith; and a dear friend to her sister "crones," among legions of others. The most important relationship was with Robert McInnes, her husband of 74 years. Together Betty and Bob left the dangerous politics of the United States in 1968, with four kids in tow, to start anew in the peace of Victoria. Betty's life revolved around raising their family, her work as a public health nurse and administrator, her Quaker practice, her partnership with Bob and their passion for the outdoors, music and each other. Betty was the best of contradictions: a woman of deep faith who had a searching, questioning mind. Her loyalty was boundless, her home and heart always open. To go out for tea with Betty was to meet people from all walks of life who loved and admired her, they beaming in her presence and she in theirs. In her long retirement she could be found reading, gardening, in aquafit class, riding around town on her scooter, baking with a grandchild, doing a crossword puzzle or supporting many causes. Betty volunteered for many years at Victoria's Hospice Society. She died there, just three hours after admission, with Bob holding her hand. If you heard loud, deep gongs on the afternoon of September 16 from the hospice roof garden, that was the sound of Betty's spirit being lifted up into the highest heavens, where it belongs. A celebration of life is being planned; details will be forthcoming. Please consider a donation to Canadian Friends Services Committee at https://quakerservice.ca.