Betty Jane (Bird) Dickey, 94, died peacefully at home, with her son Daniel at her side, on Feb. 9, 2024, in Rutherfordton.

She was born Nov. 1, 1929, in Kalamazoo Michigan to Russell and Laura Bird. She had one brother, Robert Bird, who preceded her in death.

Betty graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1947. She went on to Western Michigan University, where she graduated in 1951, with a degree in Occupational Therapy. While working in Rhode Island she met and married Warner Whitefield Dickey Stewart (1919-2009). They were married in 1952 and had three children. They moved several times before settling in Rutherfordton in 1972. Betty worked as an Occupational Therapist on Long Island New York, a first grade teacher in New Jersey, and a Special Education Teacher in Michigan. While living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, she completed a Masters degree in Special Education at Northern Michigan University. Upon moving to Rutherfordton in 1972, she worked as a parent trainer of mentally handicapped children. She then worked at Western Carolina Center (now the Riddle Center) in Morgantown as the director of Occupational Therapy. She ended her career as director of both the Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Departments. She was awarded the employee of the year at the Riddle Center for her work in improving the client's daily lives. Betty also received the honor of Occupational Therapist of the year for the State of North Carolina.

After retiring Betty loved volunteering at second hand stores, especially organizing greeting cards. She also volunteered inspecting nursing homes. She and Warner loved dogs and cats, and were founding members of the Rutherfordton Humane Society. They delivered Meals on Wheels and volunteered at their church. They did so much volunteer work, the governor of N.C. awarded them volunteer couple of the year for Western North Carolina.

Betty was a remarkably talented woman who enjoyed knitting, quilting, snow skiing, volleyball, performing as a clown and gardening, especially growing organic blueberries. She always made a blueberry pie for anyone new to her neighborhood. It was while delivering a pie, that she met Oscar Paquette who became her devoted companion for the last seven years of her life. Betty was a devout Episcopalian, who for 52 years was a member of St. Francis Episcopal Church, where she was proud to be a Daughter of the King.

Betty is deeply missed by her children, Thomas (Chris) Stewart, Laura May (Dorothy) Dickey Stewart and Daniel (Juanita) Stewart; her four grandchildren, Cullin Stewart, Brooke Stewart, Emily (Justin) Edmonds and Natalie Stewart; also by her nephew, Bob (Jo Ann) Bird; niece, Leslie Ivans; and great nephew, Ryan (Kimberly) Ivans; finally, by her devoted companion, Oscar Paquette; and her caretaker and friend, Kathy Coldiron.

A memorial service to celebrate Betty's life will be held on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at 1 p.m. at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 408 North Main St., Rutherfordton with the Rev. Toni Belau presiding.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Francis Church, or the Rutherfordton Humane Society.