September 1st, 1956 - January 9th, 2024
Bettina (Caldarelli) Witecka passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at the age of 67 from a heart attack. Her loss was entirely unexpected, and has deeply saddened her surviving family and friends.
Bettina was born September 1, 1956 in Port Credit, Ontario as the only child of the late Patricia and Orazio Caldarelli. Bettina graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts, and always had an eye for fashion and interior design.
After meeting Jacek during her education at the University of Toronto, she knew that she had found the love of her life and the two were married in 1971 in Streetsville, Ontario. On her marriage she became a step mother to Sion Witecki, son of Jacek Witecki, and, in 1983, her son Christopher was born on January 29. She is survived by her sons and daughter-in-law, Gwendolyn, who cherished and miss her greatly. She was an exemplary mother, and the embodiment of many of the best qualities, but above all she was selfless, generous and unconditionally loving. Her smile and laughter filled any room with happiness and she glowed with beauty in both body and soul.
Bettina worked in retail and commercial office administration, but shortly after marrying her beloved husband, she devoted her full attention to her family and building the loving, supportive home that everyone knew her for. She took joy in assisting her husband in his jewelry making and drafting, and supporting her sons in their interests. While she had an eye for all things vintage, educated herself on the history, creation and preservation of perfumes, and enjoyed cooking and knitting, no passion so filled her heart as her deep and unwavering commitment to her family. Everyone who ever spent time with her knew that she had no priority or love so great as for her family, both immediate and extended.
In addition to her family, Bettina loved to rescue cats and dogs. Together with her mother, Bettina rescued 25 cats and 5 dogs, with the last cat that she rescued having now been adopted into the loving home of her son and his wife. Those animals which she and her mother could not home personally, she assisted by providing food, water and warm shelter during cold winters.
Her departure came as a tragic shock, and is a deep wound felt gravely by her surviving family and friends. The family greatly appreciates your support at this time and asks that you make contributions to her memorial fund with the Guelph Humane Society in lieu of flowers. Her memorial fund can be found at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/bettinas-gift-of-new-life/
