BETTYE DAY (née: Reader)
December 27th, 1939 – November 3rd, 2020
Bettye Rae Day passed away on Tuesday November 3rd, 2020 at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital at the age of 80 years.
Bettye was born in Moose Jaw, SK and received her education at Empire Elementary and then Peacock Technical High School in Moose Jaw. After that, she took her nursing education and graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She worked at a number of different Saskatchewan hospitals, including Swift Current, where she met her husband Wayne Day. Bettye married Wayne in Moose Jaw where they eventually settled and raised their two children, Brenda and Scott.
Bettye worked for many years at the Union Hospital, mainly in the Operating Room. After she helped her daughter with childcare so that Brenda could graduate as a Registered Nurse, Bettye fulfilled her own dream of becoming a Registered Nurse, graduating from Kelsey Institute in Saskatoon, SK. She returned to the Union Hospital to work in Emergency and finished her career there as the Director of Central Supply. She worked past the age of 65 and when people asked her why she didn’t retire earlier, she always said she loved the work, the people she worked with, and the patients she worked for.
Bettye and Wayne lived for many years on Brenda and Larry’s farm southwest of Moose Jaw. They enjoyed the winters in Weslaco, Texas for over 20 years, where they had good times and good friends. She lived the last year at Mulberry Estates where she enjoyed the activities and Happy Hour with the friends she had made there. She loved to travel and managed to see a large part of the world. She convinced Wayne to go with her to Venezuela where they went ziplining and parasailing. Together with her daughter, she traveled to the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Mexico, Hawaii, New York and many other parts of the United States and Canada. One of the highlights of her life was when she accompanied her sister Carole on a 6 week trip to Australia. She was a savvy user of the Air Miles program and one of the last things she did was to use them to fly her son Scott home to spend time with her in her final days.
Bettye could never be still. She was always at her grandkids and great-grandkids dancing and sports events. She was one of 3 nurses who produced a fashion show starring the nursing staff and physicians modeling clothes from Moose Jaw businesses. That was a fundraiser for the Moose Jaw Union Hospital for a number of years. She volunteered at the Union Hospital and the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital, and with the SCRAPS program, enjoying working at the store with the other volunteers. She loved animals and throughout her life had many special cats, dogs and horses.
Bettye was a true cancer warrior. She battled cancer starting in her 20’s and up until the day she died from Non- Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
She was predeceased by her parents, Edward and Lillian Reader; brother, Charles Reader; sister, Marguerite Bristow; father-in-law, Leonard Day; mother-in-law, Ethel Day; Ethel’s second husband, Leonard Kitchen; as well as a number of sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. Bettye is survived by her husband, Wayne Day; daughter, Brenda Bumphrey (Larry); son, Scott Day (Vanessa); 6 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; sisters: Glenda Hennenfent, Carole Reader,Frances Avery, and Lynda Eldstrom; brother, Gerry Reader; brother-in-law, Morley Day; sister-in-law, Audrey Day and their families.
The family wishes to thank the Pasqua Hospital and Allan Blair Cancer Clinic physicians and staff, mom’s special friend Noreen (Andy) Pasiuk, who sat with her for many hours while she received chemotherapy, the doctors, nurses and support staff at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital in Moose Jaw, and Dr. Ramadan and Dr. Kerrie Hetherington for their professional and kind care.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there will be no Funeral Service at this time. A Graveside Service will be held at Rosedale Cemetery in July 2021 for family and friends, details to be announced at a later date. As well, in keeping with Bettye’s wishes, a private memorial will take place at Brenda and Larry’s farm where she had so many happy memories.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bettye’s name may be made to the Allan Blair Cancer Centre c/o Pasqua Hospital, 4101 Dewdney Ave, Regina, SK S4T 7T1, where the physicians and staff looked after her so well, or SCRAPS, PO Box 1653, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 7K7.
We will miss her so much, but are happy that she is no longer in pain.
“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day.
Unseen, unheard, but always near, so loved,
so missed, so very dear.”
(Author Unknown)
Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Todd Sjoberg, Funeral Director 306-693-4550
George and I are so sorry to hear of Bettye’s passing.
When I read that she had been fighting cancer for many years, I couldn’t believe it. She was one
strong Lady.
Please pass on our condolences to all family members. It’s always hard to loose a mother , a wife and a friend. But she’s not suffering any more.
Give your selves a hug from George and I.
Love you.
I send my condolences to you and to your family during this time of sorrow. The Bible gives a real hope and it promises that your loved one will soon come back to life in a beautiful, peaceful paradise on the earth. (John 5:28, 29)
So saddened to hear of Betty’s passing. Not only was she a coworker but a friend as well. We shared many countless hours organizing the Fashion Show for the Moose Jaw Union Hospital. She was a trooper no matter what task she took on. A very dedicated, committed individual. She will sadly be missed by family and friends.
Deepest sympathy and condolences Wayne, Brenda & Scott and their families. Treasure the memories.
Thank you Judy, Mom loved being a co-organizer of the yearly Fashion Show with you and MaryDell. It took a lot of teamwork to keep that going but Mom loved it.
So sorry for your loss Brenda and family. Your Mom was working CSR when I first met her. Always ready to help out our little Rural Hospital. Welcoming and spreading sunshine. May your happy memories help with the loss of your Dear Mother.
Thank you Joanne, mom loved working with you too.
Sorry for your loss. Condolences Brenda and all family. Thoughts and prayers are with you all
Sincere condolences to you and your family Brenda! I have a picture of your Mom, me and Dr. Wilfong scrubbed in the OR!! She was teaching me the ropes!! She was certainly a presence in the old MJUH! Fond memories!!!
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing Brenda. I enjoyed working with her at the Union Hospital. She was a No nonsense straight shooter. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
My condolences to you all . What an empty spot in your household without this lovely energetic lady. I really enjoyed working with Bettye and always loved her straight up attitude and friendly greetings. Never one to pass you by without finding out how things were going. Your obituary is a very lovely tribute to a mom and wife who, yes, never stayed still !! Thinking of you Brenda.
Your Mom will be at peace now. Remember the good times and She will always be with you.
My sincere sympathy in your loss and condolences to Wayne, Brenda and Scott. Bettye will be missed as my friend for the last 60+ years. She took a strong stand on things she believed in. She was always just a phone call away to talk or play golf or have lunch. Her family was very important to her. She always had words of praise and was very proud of their accomplishments.
Dot & Ray Belt
Dear Brenda and Family…My deepest condolences too all of you..I first met your mom 25 plus years ago when I started in health care. She was a determined nurse and fought hard for her patients. She had a strong work ethic and you had better tow the line.People today good learn from her..May your memories carry each of you through this difficult time.
Brenda, sending you condolences on the loss of your mom. You now have a very special angel watching over you. Take care.
So sorry to hear of your moms passing Brenda. I remember her well from good old MJUH.
I was saddened to learn of Bettye’s passing. We spent many years together in health care. When she was Director of CSR & we in the OR needed something else added to an already full supply cart all we needed to do was call Bettye & tell her what was needed. By the next day the new item or items were on the cart ready for use. You could always count on her to get it done!! Since our retirement we enjoyed volunteering together at the hospital, doing whatever was asked of us. We could always find something to laugh about even if we weren’t totally thrilled with the task we were doing.
I will miss our times together. My sincere condolences to Wayne & Brenda & Scott. Bettye fought a tough fight.
Wayne, Brenda and family, I was shocked and so sad to hear of Bettye’s passing. I just met Bettye a few years ago when she first volunteered to help out SCRAPS, and have so enjoyed working with her in our little store, and hearing some of her nursing career stories, and family life especially at the farm. Bettye was a wonderful friend to SCRAPS, fostering, and eventually adopting Lucy. I and all her SCRAPS friends will be thinking of Bettye, and marveling at all the health challenges she surmounted. A truly wonderfully kind and adventurous lady–my sincerest condolences to your whole family.
I am sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. May peace be with you all.
Dear Wayne,Brenda,Scott& Family,
My Deepest Sympathy on the loss of Bettye.
I had the pleasure of working for Bettye and she was a lady who did her job and knew her stuff. She stood up for her crew in CSR and ran a tight ship!
I also had the pleasure to roast her for her retirement which I know she got a kick out of it and many laughs.
Please know I am thinking of you all and are in my thoughts and prayers.
With Deepest Sympathy ,
Jacqui Wilson