Mary (Betty) Steele

True Peace

I think that I would rather see

My children happy at my knee,

My neighbours’ smiling faces when

I start from home or come again;

A garden small, but mine to claim,

Than rise unloved to wealth and fame.

True peace is born of little things,

The song the brave canary sings,

Glad little memories of the past

Which seemed too trivial to last,

But brighter glow throughout the years

As symbols of our smiles and tears.

We write our lives, where’er we dwell,

On those who love and know as well.

Strangers may cheer us from afar,

But neighbours see us as we are.

I’d rather have my worth be told

By happy hearts than glittering gold.

- Edgar A. Guest

Just shy of her 89th birthday, Mary (Betty) Steele earned her wings and peacefully left us on April 20, 2023. While family are gutted by her departure, we celebrate her sense of humour, her Scottish brogue, her happiness with her life, her talent for knitting, her perfect pancakes, her cake decorating skills, her delight in wordplay and poetry, her welcoming and open door, and her depth of love and caregiving as a friend, neighbour, sister, daughter, mother, grandmother and great-grandma (GG).

Community members will know her from her contributions of time and shortbread for North Oyster School and the First United Church, where she volunteered for over 40 years.

La Rosa Gardens and Saanich Peninsula’s Extended Care, as well as all the medical professionals who tended to her, especially in the last year.

Knowing our mother, she might have a wish for those she leaves behind: “Lang may yur lum reek!” (Live long and healthy!)

All are welcome for Betty’s Celebration of Life at the First United Church, Ladysmith, at 1:30 pm on Saturday, May 27, 2023. We are hoping many Angus the Piper dolls will put in an appearance. If Betty knit you one, please bring him along.

The family welcomes your remembrances. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the charity of your choice.