Betty Eileen was born on May 17, 1931, to parents Harvey and Lily (Fenton) Sulkye. Betty joined older brother Gordon, and then Ken, Gerald and Howard were welcomed to make the family complete. The Sulkye family lived outside of Scone, and after moving Betty attended the Kinghurst one room schoolhouse until grade 8. Betty began working at the Silknet factory in Chesley, and then began working at a Chesley nursing home.
When she was sixteen, Betty started spending more time with her longtime childhood neighbour, Wilmer “Windy” Edward Karn. The two dated for two years, and just before she turned eighteen, they were married on April 28, 1949, at the parsonage of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Sullivan. Betty and Wilmer moved to the Karn family farm on the 6th of Sullivan, where they raised their family. They welcomed daughters Darylann, Dorinda, Dorothy, Darlene, Dennice, and Doreen. It is safe to say that Betty was a very busy woman raising six young girls while helping Wilmer on the farm. Betty would help outside with the chores, and then take some of the girls inside with her to prepare dinner. Betty and Wilmer butchered many pigs and cattle beasts for family and friends, as well as hundreds of chickens and turkeys. One year when Wilmer was gone moose hunting, Betty killed a large turkey for Thanksgiving. However, the turkey ended up getting its revenge, as Betty somehow ended up with a black eye! Although it made for long hours, Betty never complained and was always happy to spend the moments with her family.
When the girls were in school, and Doreen was three, Betty went back to paid work, starting at Heirlooms, and continuing to Knechtel’s. She began working at Heinzman Piano for a period of time, and then babysitting for Dr. Ian Thompson and Vicky Winterton for many years. In 1994, Wilmer was severely injured and was in a wheelchair, which led Betty to stop working outside the home so she could help care for him. She was happy to help Wilmer when he needed her, as long as there was no blood. One day when Dorothy was hurt and bleeding, Betty ran into the house and came out with a glass of water. Dorothy asked her mom “what am I to do with this?” Betty responded with “If I faint, throw it on me!” Betty did her best to stay away from blood after that! In 1996, Betty and Wilmer moved into a brand-new house, just south of the farm, where she remained until April 2022, even after Wilmer passed in 2006.
Betty, Wilmer and the girls rarely travelled, as it was hard to leave the farm for periods of time, however they enjoyed their trips to visit family. Betty did have the opportunity to travel to Florida and Jamaica. When the girls moved into their own homes, they would often call Betty and ask for her assistance with painting, and she was so good that she always got called back! Betty loved hosting her family when they would come to visit, often spending all weekend with the family. She was a great host, unless you came to visit while The Young and the Restless was on, and then she would be in her room watching!
Betty enjoyed sewing, and knitting mittens, socks, and hats. She had a large vegetable garden, in order to feed her family. Apparently, Betty had a very famous banana bread recipe, and she would even make double batches to send with her children and grandchildren to take to work, which was highly requested by their coworkers! Betty loved a good egg salad sandwich and tea. Betty loved the colour pink and enjoyed listening to old-time country music.
Betty enjoyed spending her time with family and was so proud of all of their accomplishments. When her grandchildren were born, she loved every moment she spent with them. Betty would take them swimming, and tobogganing. Most grandmothers would watch from the top or bottom of the hill, not Betty! She would hop on the sleigh, and enjoy the fun with her grandchildren! Betty taught her family the value of hard work and showed them that family is the most important thing!
Betty passed away at Hanover Care Centre on Sunday, October 8, 2023, in her 93rd year with her daughters by her side.
Loving mother of Dorinda (John) Howie, Dorothy Kaufman, Darlene (Bruce) Schaus, Dennice (Wayne) Fritz, and Doreen (Terry) Walker, grandmother of 9 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. Also survived by Gerald and Doreen Sulkye, Betty Sulkye, Betty (Al) Karn, Betty (Dean) Karn, Ruth Karn, Bernice Sachs and Darylann Thompson (Dan Gies). Betty will be missed by many nieces and nephews. Betty was predeceased by her husband Wilmer “Windy”, her sons-in-law Ernie Thompson and Howard Kaufman, her grandson Kevin Thompson, her brothers Gordon, Ken and Howard Sulkye, her nephews Brian,Glen and Rick Sulkye, her niece Sharon Hopkins, and her parents Harvey and Lily Sulkye.
Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley, on Thursday, October 12, 2023, from 6 – 8 p.m., and on Friday, October 13, 2023, from 1 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 2 p.m. Interment in Chesley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Chesley Hospital Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
Our deepest sympathy to Wayne & Dennice & Family with the passing of your mother and grandmother. So sorry to read of your loss and wanted you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. May your memories bring you peace and comfort in the difficult days ahead.
My sincere condolences to the family and connection! She always had a beautiful smile & words of wisdom. She leaves a great legacy!
So many good memories with the Deer Gang meals!
Betty ‘Ruby and my Mom Betty or Elizabeth as your mother called her the three of them did a lot of things together what ever needed to be done they did it together . Lots of thoughts are going though my mind . Wishing l knew so l could have said good bye to our neighbor of 75yrs .Love you Betty now you can RIP with all the neighbors’ . and your hubby.Love to all the families of Betty and Wilmer or Windy as we all knew him . Mary Hastie & Dennis Rourke
My condolences to the family. Gerald and Doreen sorry for your loss.
So very sorry to hear that your Mom has passed. She was a lovely woman and will be missed.
My deepest sympathy to Dennice and family.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Sending our sincere condolences to all Betty’s family. So sorry to hear this sad news.
My Sympathy Bernice, sorry to hear of the passing of you Mom
prayers always
Deepest sympathy to you all ,thinking of you all .Cherish and hang on to the memories. Nancy (Albright )
Deepest sympathy to all Betty’s girls and their families and the Karen and Sulkeye families. Glad to have known her, she was a great lady.
My deepest sympathy to Betty’s family. She was a wonderful lady❤️
My deepest condolences, to my cousins. I remember many fun times together as children! 💕
So sorry for your loss, your mom always had time to stop and say hello anytime I would see her. She will be at peace now…
Ken and I have lots of fond memories of Aunt Betty 💐She was a sweet hardworking lady! It was amazing how she was able to care for Uncle Wilmer after he had a stroke for so many years , even taking him in his wheelchair in the van all by herself , regularly.
I am extending my deepest sympathy on the loss of your Mother. She was a very special lady with a big smile for everyone. She has touched the hearts and will be missed by all who knew her. Cherish all your precious memories….
Betty was such a sweet person. She will be truly missed. Sympathies to the family.
Dorinda, Dorothy and Dennice,
So sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing. She was a great lady who left you with many fond memories. May you find peace as you cherish these memories!
Paul and Susan
Our thoughts are with her daughters and their families. Betty and Wilmer left behind a close knit family that will support each other long after. All are, and were blessed and the memories will be cherished.
Our condolence to the family. Betty will be sadly missed.
Our deepest sympathy to the Karn family
Deepest condolences to everyone in the Karn family. On behalf of the long time neighbours and friends, the Wallace and Mary Hatten family.
Deepest condolences to the family. Betty was a strong woman. She will be missed
Sending our most sincere condolences to the Karn family. A special big hug to Dorothy from both of us. Cathy and Gary
Our deepest condolences to Betty’s family. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Thinking of you all. My condolences to her family.
My sincere sympathies.
My Deepest Condolences to Betty’s daughters and their families! To her siblings and their families.
It’s been a long time since I have seen you all.
Just wanted to let you know that my thoughts are with each an everyone of you 🙏❤️🤗
Janet Albright
Our deepest sympathy to all of Betty’s family.
I was so sorry to hear of Betty’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with the whole family.
My sincere sympathies. May she live on in your hearts and minds forever.
Our Deepest Sympathies
Sorry to hear your Mom has passed. She was one of the first persons I met when I moved to Chesley. She was so kind to me and never changed over the years. I have thought of her often . Karen
Our deepest sympathies to Din, Dorothy and all the rest of Betty’s family. It was a pleasure to work with her at Heintzman’s.
Our deepest sympathy to all the family.
To all of Betty’s family, we are so sorry to hear of Betty’s passing. She was a wonderful lady and will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Our sympathy to your family
my deepest sympathy to Dennice and Wayne and family
Dennice very sorry to hear that your mom has passed, please know all of you are in my thoughts.
Laurie Wright
Our deepest condolences to Betty’s girls. She will be greatly missed by all.
To the families of Betty, sending my condolences to all.
Sending my sympathy to the family. I loved my chats with Betty over the years.
Aunt betty was a wonderful person who will be missed dearly . My deepest condolences to all you girls and your families
My deepest sympathy to her family
My sincere condolences to you and your family
On behalf of my family, please accept our condolences on the death of your mother. We have such fond childhood memories of our time spent with Denise and Doreen at your farm and ours. My parents always had such great respect for your parents. We are saddened to learn of your mother’s passing. Much love…
Sorry to hear of Betty passing. My condolences to her daughters and their families. She was a beautiful lady and loved by everyone. Rest in Peace sweet lady.💔