Betty Ruthven s a child in the 1920s and her wedding day.
Born at home in Belmore on June 9, 1924, she worked as a Trunk Line Telephonist and Phonogram Operator at the GPO in Martin Place after studying dressmaking and millinery at Sydney Technical College.
She started on the phones during World War 2 where the calls were often from military bases when “loose lips sank ships”, as staff were warned.
She married Ron in 1952 and they built a house in East Hills before raising three children – Joan, Tom and Kathy.
Ron unfortunately passed away aged 41 in 1966, leaving Betty to raise the family on her own and she later welcomed grandchildren James, Ariane, Bill and Emily.
She lived independently until 2022 and continues to live locally with family.
A volunteer at Royal Botanic Gardens for over 20 years and being very community-minded, Betty also volunteered at many school, social and other local groups including HiLo Ladies Social Golf Club, Out & About Social Club, Sydney Bushwalking Club and the Australian Plant Society.
She’s always enjoyed gardening, loved baking cakes, sewing clothes for herself and her family, and travelling widely throughout Australia and overseas.
Daughter Kathy said she considered the many close friendships she has made as an important part of her life.
“She enjoyed her centenary celebrations with family and friends at a Centennial Vineyard in the Southern Highlands,” Kathy said.
