We Remember
SOLAR, Betty Pearl (née Hawrysh)
—
1928 – 2021
Betty Solar passed away peacefully in Kelowna, BC on February 8, 2021, at the age of 92.
Betty was predeceased by, Lawrence, her loving husband of 56 years. She was also predeceased by three brothers, Steve, John and Alex and sister Pat. Betty is survived by Patricia (Ken) Stroud, John, and Julie-Ann; grandchildren, Chadwick Stroud, and Raquel (Brent) Thors; 4 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She was affectionately known by all beloved nieces and nephews as Aunty Betty.
Betty was born in Venlaw, Manitoba in 1928. Betty enjoyed her independence as a single woman who worked at Laura Secord and as a waitress at a fine dining restaurant in Windsor, Ontario.
Betty was an avid sports fan cheering on hockey and baseball teams. Never afraid of any challenge and to that end she took swimming lessons late in life. Betty also earned many trophies for her skill and sportsmanship in bowling and curling. If there were a trophy for cooking and baking, she certainly would have added that to her Trophy Case too. Betty was an artist at heart and took up oil painting and later dabbled in charcoal art as well she designed many a Ukrainian Cross Stitch blouses, kneeling blankets and prayer book covers.
Betty along with her husband Lawrence moved throughout the prairies and later ventured as far south as Brazil at which point became fluent in yet her third language of Portuguese, Ukrainian and English. Expecting to retire in Dauphin, Manitoba, they surprised themselves and retired in Summerland, BC.
Betty had such a great marriage with her husband Lawrence, that they renewed their vows for their 50th Wedding Anniversary.
To say Betty was a strong woman is an understatement. Betty survived quadruple heart bypass surgery, bowel cancer, breast cancer and broken femur. Unfortunately, her heart was not able to keep up with her zest for life.
Betty will be remembered for her open heart, Great Spirit and giving ways.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
For those who wish to pay their respects to Betty the viewing will be online by Livestream tonight, February 11, 2021 at 6:30 pm (see below). A recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.
The Funeral Service will be available to view online through Sts Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church on Friday, February 12, 2021 at 11:00 am at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOzZ7uRpVIA
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
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Heart and Stroke Foundation Link: www.heartandstroke.ca
Condolences
A beautiful, poignant, moving tribute to Betty. I am grateful I had the opportunity to meet and spend time with Betty thru my relationship with her daughter, Julie~Ann. My thoughts are with you all. Godspeed, Betty. You touched us all. Love and gratitude.
Peace to all, Betty and Lawrence together again…..
Sorry to hear of Betty passing
My late wife Nettie and I had great visits with Betty in Dauphin The Pas Winnipeg Kelowna
She will be missed
Rest In Peace
Arnold Kruk
Patricia and family…Your mom was an amazing lady and I feel privileged to have known her. I know you will miss her dearly 💔
We are saddened to hear of Betty’s passing. She was always so hospitable to us when we came to do Ironman in Penticton. I remember she made perogies for all of us! They were delicious! Betty and Lawrence were a great couple who loved each other and their family very much. Big hugs from Victoria. Sandy, Mike, Sharon & Fran.
Yes. I join Sandy McClary with my love and memories of Betty and her perogies and dill pickles – the best part of doing Ironman all those years was the post-race visit to see Betty and Lawrence. We also enjoyed the 50th wedding celebration where Sandy and I had to madly compose a special song for the lovebirds on dinner napkins – it was sung to the tune of Beverly Hillbillies and so challenging to find rhymes with Hawrysh (sp?) Betty always enjoyed a good laugh!
Our condolences to Patricia, John, Julie-Ann, all the grandchildren and great grandchildren. May Auntie Betty’s Memory Be Eternal and may she Rest In Peace. We feel Blessed to have known Auntie Betty and honoured to be part of her life. She was a strong and loving woman who was not afraid to show her love to set you straight. She had great sense of humour and a wonderful zest for life. May God provide you all with strength and love and family time to get through this difficult period. Auntie Betty will be missed.
All Our love, Glenn, Marijka, Danylo, and Maksym.
Dearest Patricia, John and Julie – Ann, No words can describe the beauty, love, support, and joy Aunty Betty brought to those who were fortunate enough to be a part of her life. She was universally loved by all who knew her because of the pure kindness and love that was continually projected from her soul, even while chasing her nephews with a wooden spoon. She will forever be remembered for her wise words and loving heart.
John and Bonnie Gdanski send our heartfelt condolences to the Solar family. We will miss hearing about Betty’s fun times with Julie and B.J. Gdanski on their visits with Betty.
Condolence to the family rest in peace Betty
I was fortunate to have met Betty and her daughter Patricia. They were the first people to welcome me to the church. Betty taught me how to roll holibsti (cabbage rolls) easily! She was so fun to be around! I am blessed to have known her. I wish I could have visited her more, but with the Covid pandemic it just wasn’t possible, which makes my heart heavy. Rest peacefully, Betty. I will sincerely miss you.
The card games, the California holidays, foraging for morel mushrooms, just a few of the memories we have of Betty and Lawrence. We will sooo miss her weekly phone calls, “I’m just checking up on you guys” she’d say. We will miss you Betty. Say hi to Lawrence!❤️❤️
Patricia, John, Julie-Ann and family…
Those who have shown us love, brought us joy and made us laugh, have given us the lasting gift of a beautiful life…..Vichnaya Pamiyat/Eternal Memory
…with our Deepest Sympathy…..Joanne (Brychka), Don Oleski and family
Eternal memories! Rest In Peace.I will miss you! Condolences to the family.
Our sincere Condolences and Sympathy to the family of Betty Solar. We value ou time spent with Betty and recently our
chats on the phone. Her presence, advice and candid remarks will be sadly missed in the kitchen of the church hall .
Rest in peace Betty you will be missed.
I am not an official niece but I too called her “Aunty Betty”! I always enjoyed when our visits overlapped in Dauphin. My parents (Ann and Frank) and I stayed with Aunty Jenny and Uncle Steve. Aunty Betty and Uncle Lawrence would arrive and oh my, the noise level!! Sending love and prayers, Genevieve Farrell
On behalf of Emily (Leskiw) Brychka
Betty and Emily were cousins, classmates, friends and as the years went by became “as close as sisters”.
Years ago when Betty lived in Dauphin; Emily would go to her place for coffee and toast in the morning and stay all day! They both really enjoyed each other’s company.
“With love and fond memories.”
Aunty Betty blessed us with her love, caring, faith and kindness. We will always treasure the many good times we spent together. I really enjoyed being her “pen pal” when she lived in Brazil!
She was a source of inspiration and a role model for embracing and being yourself!
Like the yarn that she knit, Aunty Betty made a blanket of memories and love that will warm our hearts forever.
“With loving memories.”
Marcia, Richard and Jordana Klak
Patricia, John and Juli -Anne, my sincere condolences for the loss of your mom. May all the fond memories you have from childhood through adulthood give you strength during this difficult time. We the Michael and Mary Solar family had wonderful times together. Your mom was active participant in so many things, as a teen one of my fondest memories would be when your parents came to my parents home for Friday night card games. Aunt Betty and I would dive into many debates especially ones involving ones ability do anything they want as long as they have ambition. My Mom enjoyed and loved Aunt Betty as a sister, they had many fun times together and my mom and Dad enjoyed visiting them when they moved to Kolowna. Most recently my mom will miss the weekly calls they had. May your mom rest in peace. With love Aunt Mary and cousin Colleen
My condolences to you for the loss of your mom. While I only met your Mom a few times in my life she was a wonderful women who made the most of her life. May she rest in Peace
Love second cousin Kirsten.
” Death leaves a heartache no on can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
My late husband, Richard, spoke often of his Aunt Betty. I only had the pleasure of meeting her once when we were living in Detroit. She was so nice to me. She use to call Richard on a regular basis and the would talk about the “old days”. My Love to her family. Linda Genik, Richard’s widow.
Auntie Betty Always in our hearts,. no matter the distance. Forever in our memories, no matter the passage of time. And just like.the famous Green Tomato Relish, totally Irresistible now and always. Hugs!
I am very sorry for your loss and wish your family strength during this difficult time.
Tracy Gray, Member of Parliament, Kelowna – Lake Country
I have tried to put in words my relationship with my Aunt but it isn’t easy. . After Uncle Lawrence left she asked me to stay with her as she wanted help & company & we shared many experiences. Good & difficult times. But we slugged through -holidays & trips & family trials & tribulations . Somehow we managed to make the best of things. . But I missed my family & Patricia came to help her – so I chose to go it alone. It was time to be with my family I was missing. . I’ll always cherish the good times we shared and the wonderful friends I met through her. She no doubt
has a card game going where she is calling the shots! RIP Bets!
Sorry to hear of your loss. As my Godmother, Mrs.Solar gave me a dainty little ring for my baptism. To which I still have to this day. I remember Mr Solar as such a nice man. I’m sure my parents,Steve & Judy Buchy are taking in a game or two of cards. Take Care
I am so saddened to learn of Betty’s passing.. She was our rock in Church when we lost our parents. She made me feel welcome & part of the family, holding a seat for us at many church events when I was visiting.. She was a fun loving, open, honest person.. Vichnaya Pam’yat / Вічная Пам’ять / Eternal Memory Betty. Rest In Peace. You will be so missed..
I was sad to hear about the recent passing of your mother, and of your father’s passing some years ago. One never keeps mindful track of your one’s parent’s friends as the decades pass…they are always so much alive in your mind, and it comes as a surprise somehow to hear they are gone. Like they were so much bigger than life. That was especially true of your parents. I always knew the Solars were in the house because the level of laughter would rise considerably. Weekly card games and comings and going at church and at the hall: your parents and mine…and the Gogals and Kowalchucks…all family names I grew up with. Mr and Mrs Solar were very special people and I was happy to see the service online (the pictures brought back so much!) and know they had such an incredibly adventurous and full life together. And now I have to think that I inherited your mom’s personality through osmosis because I am more like her than either of my parents! May all your wonderful memories ease your sadness.