Obituary of Ms. Betty Yuek Yin Navratil (nee Lam)

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Betty Yuek Yin Navratil (nee Lam).  She died surrounded by loving family at Markham-Stouffville Hospital, after a brief struggle with lung cancer, on Monday August 13^th, 2018.

Betty was born in Hong Kong to May Lam (nee Kam) and John Lam.  She studied at Maryknoll Convent School in Kowloon and went on to study nursing at Queen Mary Hospital on Hong Kong Island.  Shortly after, she began her career as a registered nurse in the U.S. (New York and New Jersey), and then on to Ontario, Canada.  She found great purpose in helping others and bringing them comfort during their times of need.

During her career, Betty continued to pursue her studies, obtaining her B.A. and M.Div at the University of Toronto.  She was an active member of her church community who dearly loved to sing in the choir.  Despite her busy life, she found time to enjoy many additional activities including oil painting, playing the piano, wood carving, line dancing, gardening and social outings.  Later in life, her love of music led her to record an album filled with her favorite hymns; her lifelong career inspired her to write a book about her nursing experiences both at home and abroad.  Betty was a loving and committed popo - always eager to spend time with and care for her grandkids.  Her faith in the Lord carried her right to the end as she said “to depart from the body is to be present with the Lord”.

Betty is predeceased by her parents, May and John Lam.  She is survived by her daughter Laurea Navratil (Bruce) Crewe, grandchildren Charlotte and Samuel, brother Richard (Yee) Lam, brother David (Carrie) Lam and sister Matilda (John) Ip.  She will be greatly missed by her many cousins, nieces and nephews.  We will all miss her strong and giving spirit as well as her energy and zest for life.

A special thank you to the dedicated staff at Markham-Stouffville Hospital.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to a charity of choice or to the Terry Fox Foundation for Cancer Research