Obituary of Andrea Alice (Debison) Bettens, Glace Bay

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Andrea Alice (Debison) Bettens, 93, of Main Street, Chapel Hill, Glace Bay on Thursday February 20th, 2025 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, An Cala Unit, Sydney.

 

Andrea was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and a devoted matriarch to her many close family and friends.

Born on April 12th, 1931 in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Andrea was the daughter of the late Hector & Sarah (Devison) Debison. She was raised on Bay St. in Glace Bay and attended St. Anne’s School. Andrea was married to Frank Bettens of Caledonia, Glace Bay on August 11th, 1952. She met her loving husband through her sister, the late Ronita Burrows. Andrea and Ronita spent their lives as each other's closest companions, having married husbands who were likewise best friends since childhood.

 

Andrea was survived by her son Mark, daughter in law Michelle, grandchildren Morgan (Chris), and Hunter (Chelsea), son, Frank (April) and Miranda, brother in law, Jack (Catherine) Bettens, sisters in law, Agnes Bettens - MacPherson, Joyce Debison and many nieces and nephews in the Burrows, Bettens, and Debison families, as well as good friend Helen Gouthro.

 

She was predeceased by her husband, Frank, sister Ronita Burrows, brother in law, Ron Burrows, and her brothers Frank and Dan Debison.

 

Andrea graduated from St. Joseph’s Hospital with a diploma in X-ray technology in 1952. In the early 1950s she worked at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Quebec and the Ottawa Civic Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. She later moved home with husband Frank to their roots in Cape Breton where they raised their two boys. Andrea had the joy of living next door to one of her boys, Mark, where she enjoyed many frequent, often daily, visits from her grandchildren Hunter and Morgan.

 

She especially loved her many walks with Hunter around Renwick Brook where he would sneakily feed the ducks with breadcrumbs, she would always react in surprise when a flock of ducks would appear and follow them. Andrea’s favorite hobby was watching her grandkids. Andrea was known for her keen sense of fashion, her love of politics and zest for current affairs well into her final days. She was unwavering in her loyalty to those she loved most. Andrea was sharp, quick witted, well informed, and confident in her opinions. She greatly valued tradition, and all the same, was a woman before her time. She was considered among her family as a trailblazer for a woman of that era.

 

Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 23, 2025 from 2-4, 7-9 pm in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay.

The funeral mass will be held at St. Anne’s Parish Church in Glace Bay on Monday, February 24 at 10 am followed by a reception at the Glace Bay Fire Hall. Fr. Macleen Anyanwu presiding. Interment will take place in the parish cemetery at a later date.

 

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at the An Cala Palliative Care Unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and the Glace Bay General Hospital for their compassion, and professionalism. Your kindness and care will never be forgotten.

 

Andrea will forever be remembered in the hearts of her family and friends. May she rest in peace.

On line condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca

 

There is but one and only one,

Whose love will fail you never.

One who lives from sun to sun,

With constant fond endeavor.

 

There is but one and only one

On earth there is no other.

In heaven a noble work was done

When God created Mother.