January 14, 2020
Betty Jane Collett passed away at St. John Hospital in Vanderhoof on January 14, 2020 at the age of 90. Betty was born Betty Jane Heinz to Leo and Evelyn Heinz on June 20, 1929 in Detroit, Michigan. She was raised by her loving parents Joseph and Rene Roye. She is predeceased by her beloved brother, Richard Clark Keezer, PhD of Santa Rosa, CA.
After graduating from high school, Betty worked on the assembly line at Chrysler and DeSoto auto plants and at Winkleman's women's clothing store in Detroit. She married Robert (Bob) Bowles, Jr. in 1951. She and her family moved to Las Vegas in 1962. Betty's first husband, Bob, was killed at the age of 37, in a work accident at The Nevada Test Site in December 1964. Betty married Arthur King Collett in July 1969. She and her daughter Debbie emigrated from Las Vegas, NV to Fort Fraser, BC in September 1969. Betty and King built a log home on Telegraph Road in Ft. Fraser where Betty made lifelong friends. Betty and King later moved to Vanderhoof in 1995.
Betty leaves behind her husband of 50 years, King Collett, her daughter Debbie Bowles Tulles (Shaun) of Las Vegas, NV; grandson Devin Tulles of Dodgeville, WI; son John Bowles, grandson John-Michael Bowles and six great-grandchildren all of Las Vegas, NV. She is also survived by stepdaughter Frankie (Rodney) Lemos of Yerington, NV and 3 step-grandchildren; brother-in-law Rick (Carol Ann) Collett of Duncan, BC and numerous other family members. She is predeceased by stepson Jim (Sara) Collett of Las Vegas, NV. Betty also leaves behind her fur baby, Charlie and is predeceased by fur baby Tiger.
Betty loved people, animals, TV, movies, music and fashion. She loved cooking, decorating, arts & crafts and shopping. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was a very compassionate person.
Betty is also survived by her dear friends, Dan and Kathy Brown of Vanderhoof (children Rory Hill, M.D. and Mark Brown); Shirley Zaworski of McKenzie; Valarie Svensen Blight of Prince George; Jack Murrison of West Point, CA; Bobbie Krueger of Las Vegas and Gus Fuson of Rogue River, OR. She is predeceased by dear friends, Shirley Murrison of West Point, CA; Anne and Duane Svensen of Vanderhoof; Bud Zaworski of McKenzie and Oscar and Verda Anderson of Vanderhoof.
The family would like to thank the staff of St. John Hospital for their dedication and excellent care of Betty during her stay and final days.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to BC SPCA in Betty's honor. Services were private.