Obituary of Betty Luella Adlam
You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she's come back,
or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she's gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn you back
or you can do what she'd want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
ADLAM, Betty Luella (nee Sherwood). Feb. 1, 1925 - April 23rd, 2019.
Predeceased by her parents Frank and Beatrice Sherwood (nee Nurse), and her sister Dorothy McLaughlin.
We said our last goodbyes to the sweetest and kindest soul on April 23rd, 2019. Loving and devoted wife for 68 years to David ADLAM, 1919 to 2016, loving mother of Susan Christie, Michael Adlam and Wendy Adlam, (Mario Lowi), doting and proud Grannie to Kari Gilmour- Pomeroy (Matt), Sarah Christie, Brooke Gilmour and Hannah Christie and even more proud Great Grannie to Miles Warnica, Chase, Jett and Chloee Pomeroy, Frederick Harper and Piper Gilmour. Aunt Betty to Peter and Judy Petracsek (Adam and Amanda) of Bradford.
A life fulfilled and well lived. At the age of 17 in 1942, Betty began training and working at Canadian National Telegraph as a Teletype Operator until 1948. It was there that she met a handsome young dapper RCAF ex pilot from WWII to whom she married in Hamilton, Ontario on December 18th, 1948. Her new husband was completing a Forestry Degree at University of Toronto, and a job with the Department of Land and Forests (MNR) was waiting for him. This subsequently took her off to begin a new life on Forestry Stations at Forestville, and as far north as Kapuskasing and Cochrane and eventually to Simcoe, Ontario.
Once her youngest began school, her independent streak found her beginning a new career as a medical secretary. With a medical dictionary at her side, she assisted many doctors keeping their practices well documented (remember dictaphones?) and operating efficiently from the mid 1960's in Simcoe to Kingston in 1965, and finally Ottawa (Manotick) where she was Dr. Peterson's secretary from 1973 to 1983. Betty enjoyed travelling the world with David, via many RCAF 410 Squad reunions in Canada and Europe, and venturing off to other continents and countries. She LOVED to golf, a lefty with a 100 yard drive proudly described as not long but "right down the middle." A thick hedge bordering their backyard backing onto the 5TH fairway at the Ottawa Carlton Golf Club was always stocked well with wayward balls which she happily rescued and shared. Sewing was a skill she excelled in and that kept her stylish wardrobe always fresh and new. This coincided well with a long term passion collecting shoes, purses and hats, a trait that has been clearly passed down. There was always a beloved cat in Betty and David's life, who gave them companionship and comfort that only an animal lover recognizes. Another trait passed on to us all.
Betty loved entertaining, hosting dinner parties for family and many friends. She always had a homemade chicken broccoli or lasagna casserole in the freezer ready for any unexpected drop-ins and a cocktail waiting upon arrival. She exuded compassion and kindness to everyone in her midst, always ensuring that we all were taken care of. Not a harsh word spoken to anyone ever, even in her difficult times.
In 2009, Betty and David returned to Kingston to be closer to family.
She is so deeply loved by all her family and her loving and kind spirit will be kept in our hearts and minds forever. Cheers and peace to our amazing Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma.
A celebration of Betty's life will be held in the James Reid Celebration Centre (please use rear entrance) on Saturday, April 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre would be appreciated by the family.
