Obituary of Betty Florence Barkey

Barkey, Betty Florence Betty Barkey (née Mitchell) passed away peacefully on Friday January 2nd, 2026 in her 86th year at Soldiers' Memorial Hospital in Orillia, Ontario. Betty was the daughter of Donald Mitchell and Rachel MacArthur (both predeceased). She was born at Elgin Station, Ontario and was raised on a farm in Argyle, Ontario. Later, the family moved to Garson, Ontario, where Betty's father, Donald, worked in the Garson Mine. After some time, the family moved to Orillia, Ontario where they finally settled and raised Betty with her sister Joyce (predeceased). Betty excelled in school, achieving excellence through her academic years and graduated from the Orillia Collegiate and Vocational Institute (ODCVI) in 1955. Betty was also a member of the Canadian Red Cross Society and attended church groups throughout her youth. Betty married Robert Barkey on February 22nd, 1958 and they settled in Orillia. Betty then launched a career at the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) in October 1961, working in progressively senior roles from bank teller to savings manager. In addition to her career, Betty and Robert started a family and raised their children, a daughter (Lorraine) and a son (Stephen, predeceased) on a small farm on the outskirts of Orillia. Betty loved the farm life, cherishing her pet dogs and other animals they raised on their farm. Betty retired from RBC on September 1, 1994 after 33 years of service. Betty and Robert sold the family farm and moved to Severn, Ontario, where she fondly enjoyed socializing with her neighbours Scott, Karen and Teri, but most of all with their dogs who she loved, named Taco and Bandit. Betty touched our lives with her wonderful sense of humour, love, kindness, compassion and unwavering faith in God. Betty had an infectious smile and was a light in the lives of everyone she met. Get togethers with family and friends always included cherished home-cooked family recipes that Betty always had at a welcoming table. Betty is survived by her husband of 67 years, Robert, their daughter, Lorraine (Peter, predeceased), their grandchildren Sarah (Alex), Michelle, and Matthew (Hannah), great grandchildren Abel and Odin, nephews Douglas (Laura), Rick (Chris) and Kevin (Qing). The family will receive friends and family at the Simcoe Funeral Home at 38 James Street East, Orillia on Friday, January 9th, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service in the chapel at 12:00 p.m. A reception will follow. Interment will take place at St. Andrew's - St. James' Cemetery, Orillia following the reception. Memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle would be appreciated. Messages of condolence are welcome at www.simcoefuneralhome