Elizabeth Ann, or as we all knew her “Betty”, was born March 15, 1946, in Tisdale Saskatchewan to Don and Flo Gannon. She was the oldest of 4 children. She has 2 brothers (Tom and Don), and 1 sister (Susan). Her first home was in Porcupine Plain, Saskatchewan where she lived until she was 17 years old. In 1963, Betty’s family moved to Kempville, Ontario where she completed her schooling. In 1965, the Gannon family made their move to Hines Creek, Alberta. Although Betty had graduated high school in Ontario, she was determined to get her Alberta diploma. So, at the age of 19, Betty went back to school. Betty had dreams of going to NAIT but at a New Year’s Eve dance in that same year she met the love of her life, Bill Nykolyshyn, and on March 28, 1967, they were married. Soon after, the family grew. Betty had 3 daughters and always joked that is exactly what she ordered.

Betty’s dream of going to post-secondary never dulled and she would later go to Grande Prairie Regional College. In 1989 she would earn her Early Childhood Education Diploma. She had a love for children from a young age that was shown in her jobs of lifeguard and camp director. The love of education and children would continue to be evident over the years that Betty lived in Hines Creek. She was a kindergarten teacher, a daycare director, a teacher’s assistant, and a bus driver but most of all her love would be poured into her children - Sandra, Dianne, and Kathy. Betty had a strong faith, a strong commitment to family and a servant heart to her friends and neighbours. Over the years in Hines Creek, Betty would work alongside Bill on their farm and was actively involved in the community. She enjoyed traveling and took the girls on trips - leaving Bill at home to take care of the farm. But don’t let that fool you - Betty was more than capable of looking after the farm and would do so when Bill worked away from home during the harsh winter months. She was also involved in the local 4-H club and agricultural society and was known to take part in a curling bonspiel or two. She often could be found around a table playing cards with friends and family and found a special friend in neighbor Brenda Hale. Bill and Betty would make their home on their farm until 1998 when they retired and moved to Edmonton, Alberta.  

Once in Edmonton her kindness extended to her new neighbors and friends with Betty often spending time sitting out front visiting. As years went on grandchildren arrived (giving her the new title of Baba) as well as 2 special children from the Ukraine who called her Nanka. Betty was blessed to be able to spend lots of quality time with her grandchildren and they were a great joy to her. She found such happiness in visits from those she loved, taking care of Blake, Sasha and Zlata, quilting for the young children at Dianne’s schools, baking Christmas cakes for the neighbors, teaching her grandchildren to sew, gardening, watching the birds in the backyard and growing flowers. She continued to love playing cards and dominoes and could be found around the kitchen table with Bill, and dear friends Don and Bev almost every weekend for many years. Betty could be mischievous and had a great sense of humor always teasing her “Billy Boy” right up until the end. On the afternoon of January 27, 2026, Betty passed peacefully surrounded by her family. 

Betty is survived by her loving husband of almost 59 years, Bill; daughters Sandra (Saeed); Dianne; and Kathy (Brad); brothers Tom and Don; sister Susan; as well as her grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Betty was predeceased by her mother Flo, father Donald Sr., mother-in-law Katherine, and father-in-law Peter, as well as all her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Donations in memory of Betty, can be made to:

Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, Diabetes Canada, or a charity of one’s choice.

The family invites you to join them to reminisce and share stories on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 1:00-4:00 pm at Jasper Place Baptist Church (8801-163 St, Edmonton). 

There will be a short formal portion at 1:00 pm. Light lunch will be available.