It was 1946 when Toney and Betsy Soda first met and began a wonderful journey of giving to others. Having served overseas as an airplane mechanic in the RCAF, Toney turned down a Boeing job in the U.S. to stay in B.C. and care for his aging mother.
With Toney’s quiet humour and Betsy’s sociable personality, the two made a dynamic pair. They spent fun times with friends and family in the communities they called home, including Gabriola Island, Nanaimo and Aldergrove.
Toney could turn a hand to anything–building his family’s homes, playing guitar and piano or camping with the kids. Betsy gave just as much of herself, raising children and volunteering with hospice societies.
The caring couple found great joy in helping others as volunteers for Surrey Memorial Hospital, with Betsy helping in the palliative care unit and Toney driving cancer patients to treatments.
Betsy passed away in 2007 and Toney in 2015. Remembering their volunteer work and the care he enjoyed at Surrey Memorial, Toney was eager to make a bequest to the Hospital. He also donated a rare guitar to the Surrey Museum for all to enjoy. The couple’s thoughtful legacy will help countless patients in our community for years to come.
You too can celebrate your own legacy of caring and support future generations by including a gift in your Will to benefit the advancement of health care at our great hospital.
