Betty (Berthe) Gorc (nee Coulombe)
April 18, 1927 to October 11, 2021
The family announces with immense sorrow Betty’s passing at Health Sciences North on Monday, October 11, 2021. She was born in Monetville, Ontario to Gregoire and Louisa Coulombe (nee Daoust). Betty’s beloved husband Louis passed in 1995.
Betty moved to Sudbury, from Monetville, in her early years and this is where she met her husband Louis. In 1948 they married and built their home, in Sudbury, on Minnow Lake. After the birth of their three children, Dennis, Marlene and Wayne, they moved to Thompson, Manitoba. Louis worked for INCO and was transferred to Thompson where their fourth child Jo-Ann was born. When Louis retired, they returned to their home, in Sudbury, on Minnow Lake. They built a camp on Tomiko Lake and loved spending time there making improvements to their property and the camp, gardening, enjoying the beach, the lake and nature and many family gatherings.
Betty had a deep and abiding love for her grandchildren, Matthew and Victoria. She had so much fun on her visits to Calgary and always looked forward to their yearly visits to Sudbury. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, knitting, making ceramics, sewing, making jam, planting her flowers and she loved picking blueberries on Blueberry Hill. Betty was always able to find the largest patch with the biggest blueberries. Her blueberry muffins are legendary. With the vegetables she grew in her garden she would pickle the carrots, beets and beans and make relish and bread with her zucchini. Her kitchen was her domain and we were happy recipients. She hosted many delicious dinners at their home in Minnow Lake and at Tomiko Lake for family, relatives and friends. One of our favorite meals was when she made potica (a dish from Louis’s birthplace – Slovenia the former Yugoslavia) which was also enjoyed as leftovers the next day.
After her husband’s passing, in 1995, Betty became a member of different community organizations. Betty joined the craft club at Legion 76, the widows club at La Toussaint Church and the woman’s club at 111 Larch Street. She enjoyed volunteering and the camaraderie.
Betty really enjoyed playing the dice game called 5000. She was always willing to teach newcomers how to play; much laughter erupted around the table during every game. Betty loved to joke with a twinkle in her eye and a big grin. We laughed and teased her back. Her one-liners made us laugh out loud with her. Betty had a strong faith and attended mass when she could. In later years she watched mass on television Sunday mornings.
Betty loved her family and was loved by all of them. She was kind, giving and caring and will be in our hearts forever.
Loving mother of Dennis (predeceased 2009), Marlene (Tony Simpkin), Wayne, both of Sudbury and Jo-Ann (Steven Hill) of Calgary. Cherished grandmother of Matthew Hill and Victoria Pilot (Zachary). Fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Predeceased by her brothers Paul-Emile, Normand, Gilbert, Marcel, Roger and her sister Jeannine Malott. Survived by her sisters Carmen Meilleur of Noelville and Rhea Fryer of Monetville and her sister-in-laws Jeannine Coulombe of Edmonton, Estelle Coulombe and Irene Coulombe both of Sudbury.
The family would like to express their thanks and gratitude to Dr. Crichton, Sarah, Lori and the City of Lakes Family Health Team for the years of their dedication, support and caring. We thank each and every staff member of Health Sciences North who cared for Betty during her stay at the hospital and to the PSWs and the organizations that assisted her at home. We would like to thank Gerry Lougheed and his staff for their support in our journey.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be at the Jackson and Barnard Funeral Home at 233 Larch Street on Friday, October 22, 2021 from 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm and after 10:30am Saturday, October 23, 2021 followed by a funeral service in the Jackson and Barnard chapel at 11:30am. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society.