ASHLEY, Betty

Went to be with her Saviour on May 21st, 2026, having made her 90th Birthday.
Born to Jacobus and Maria Vandervalk on March 26th, 1936, in Fort Macleod, she was the long-awaited girl after five boys. Betty was raised on the Vandervalk homestead until her father made a career change taking her to Calgary for a time then to Nelson and Balfour BC. Betty grew up like an only child because of the age gap between her and her brothers.
Her summers often found her back in the Fort Macleod or Nobleford areas staying with her newlywed brothers. In addition, she travelled with her now retired parents to the US to visit other brothers. Finishing high school she moved to a girl’s boarding house in Lethbridge working in the clerical field. Soon she was introduced to a young man from Nearlandia. She married Ken Ashley on March 9th, 1957, and together they bought a section of land west of the Vandervalk farm.
Betty soon became a self-taught homemaker and cook, raising two boys and a girl. With the gift of hospitality her home was a welcoming place with meals of home-grown items. Sewing was another gift Betty had, and family and friends were blessed by her unique creations. Betty’s eye for detail combined with a love of landscaping and gardening was evident by the beautiful yard she kept up. As a family they enjoyed camping, fishing and arrowhead hunting, and running the children to lots of activities.
Leaving the farm in 1986, she tested out a few different residences, before returning to break soil at Park Bridge Estates in Lethbridge. In these years she welcomed seven beautiful Grandchildren into her home often catering to their every whim! With more sewing projects, healthy balanced meals made from scratch, and taking up new interests like fossil hunting, massaging, holistic options, and Sally Anne shopping which the family were recipients of. She also dabbled with an array of part time jobs.
At the age of 75 some health concerns set the wheels in motion for her to take up residence in multiple lodges in both Fort Macleod and Lethbridge for the next 15 years. During this time, she enjoyed doing word searches, playing games, matchmaking, and going and having visits with her family. Her loved ones will miss her mischievous, caring ways.
She is predeceased by her parents, and her 5 brothers. She is survived by her sons, Ron(Laurel), Tim(Cor), and her daughter Rhonda Huddle(Murray).Seven  Grandchildren Mandy Reimer, Justin Huddle(Jo), Ryan Ashley(Kylee), Taran Van Hierden(Hank), Ben Ashley(Ashton), Kaley Murphy(Andrew), Cole Ashley(Kelly).Thirteen Great-Grandchildren Tessa and Kenzie Van Hierden, Seth and Nixon Reimer, Lexie and Mia Murphy, Bo, Poppy, and Timmy Ashley, Sonny and Kipp Ashley, Riggs and Dylann Ashley.
Funeral Service will be held at Eden’s Funeral Home on Sunday, May 31st, 2026, at 2 pm. Live video streaming will be available.