Frances Muriel Eleanor Roper

Passed away at Chelsey Park LTC in London, Ontario on Saturday, February 13^th, 2016, at the age of 95.  Betty was born in Edmonton, Alberta on October 28^th, 1920:  the only child of Frank and Pearl Hughes.  The family moved to Peterborough when Betty was 15, and her mother died shortly after.  Her father eventually remarried (Verna).  Betty met her future husband, John W. (Jack) Roper, in their last year of high school.  Jack joined the air force and, when he got his wings in 1942, he and Betty married.  Jack became a flight instructor and then a high school teacher and administrator and Betty worked as a secretary until she became a homemaker and welcomed the birth of their son, John, in May of 1949.  The family lived in Pembroke, Don Mills, St. Catharines and London, Ontario.  Betty had a great interest in Canadian antiques and, for a time, collected and sold them.  She was an active member in the Liberal Party and loved to talk politics … right to the end.  Jack died in December 2008 and Betty managed on her own with the support of friends, especially Norma Williams.  She moved to Horizon Place in June 2013 and became close to her tablemates:  Ann, Connie and Alice.  She also thrived on caring visits from Deb Wieckowski.  Betty moved to Chelsey Park LTC in April 2015.  Still lucid and feisty in spirit she recently told her loving caregiver, Deb, that she was happy, though increasingly weak.  Betty leaves her son, John, of Toronto; nephew Mark (Heather), of Peterborough; and niece, Susan (Bill), of Comox, B.C.  We have relished the years of hearing her perspective on our family history, and give many thanks to Deb (Personalized Elder Care) and the staff at Chelsey Park LTC who all brightened her days.  Private cremation arrangements entrusted to Westview Funeral Chapel.