Elizabeth A. "Bette" Yetman

Yetman (Cumming) Elizabeth A. “Bette”-88, of Dartmouth passed away peacefully on Saturday January 10, 2015 at the QE II Victoria General, with her husband, Roy and close family friends, Art, Nancy, Janine and Allyson by her side, after a short and courageous struggle with cancer. Born in Indian Head, SK but she called Watrous, SK her home town. She was predeceased by her parents, Donald A. Cumming and Isabelle MacLeod Allen and brother, Dr. Donald Cumming, Red Deer, AB. She is survived by her beloved husband Roy; brothers, Bill (Jacquie), Calgary, AB, Allen (Maria), Baltimore, Maryland; son, David Player, Okotoks, AB; daughter, Penelope Pushie, Charlottetown, PEI; grandchildren, Dr. Jake Pushie (Dr. Andrea), Saskatoon, SK, and their children, Madeline and Grace; Delanie (Mike), Calgary, AB and their children, Horton and Willow.

Bette worked at HMC Dockyard before retiring and turning her passion towards gardening, travelling, bridge and volunteering. Bette had an Ileostomy in 1969, performed by Dr. Fred Barton, who then asked her to start a “support group” for ostomates. She enlisted her friend, Ruth Kenney, R.N.E.T. to help and together they organized 16 groups in the four Atlantic Provinces, of which metro Halifax has the largest membership in Canada. Bette remained active in this group and did desktop publishing of newsletters including, a monthly Ostomy Chapter newsletter for 35 years and others for the Dartmouth Senior Centre and one for Friends of Ostomates Worldwide. She was a valued member of First Baptist Church Halifax Women’s Auxiliary and took an active role in the church enjoying the fellowship. Bette became a dear friend to many people she met through her various organizations and travelling. She was always available to lend a helping hand and once you met Bette, you knew you had a friend forever. She also enjoyed reading and was very astute in local and world events. Many a good conversation took place in her favorite sunroom and she always held her ground without hesitation. I have had a very good life except for a few bumps and scrapes. My siblings and I were blessed to have highly respected and loving parents. I loved my volunteer work as it gave me the privilege to meet and work with caring people who wanted to help unfortunates return to a productive life in their communities. I was also enfolded into the loving care of my church. The centre of my universe for the past 48 years has been my loving husband, Roy

Cremation has taken place under the care of A.L. Mattatall Funeral Home, 217 Portland Street Dartmouth. A memorial service to celebrate Bette’s life will be held on Thursday January 15, 2015 at 2pm in First Baptist Church, 1300 Oxford Street, Halifax. Interment will be in the FBCH Columbarium at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Halifax Ostomy Society, PO Box 8476 Halifax, NS B3K 5M2 or First Baptist Church, Halifax.

To view or place an online message of condolence please visit www.mattatallfuneralhome.com