Betty and husband Keith were founding members of our first dementia café in Blackburn, attending from 2016 until early 2024.
The Rooney’s were instrumental in the establishment of Umbrella Dementia Cafes, providing foundational support that helped us become the charity we are today.
Together they were champions of our charity, with Keith becoming one of the founding constitutional members in 2018.
Loved by everyone at the Blackburn Cafe, Betty’s smile could light up the room. She was especially remembered for her kind, warm and supportive guidance towards the Blackburn Primary School children who visited the cafe in the early years.
The Rooney’s LOVED a themed cafe and always turned up fully prepared in their dress-up finery.
Betty will always be remembered as a steadfast changemaker and a dedicated community leader. As Lady Mayoress in the 1960s, she was a force of nature, instrumental in the fundraising and establishment of the Larch St Kindergarten, two Lions Clubs, Koonung Park Tennis Club, Blackburn Football Club, an arts festival, a Women’s Refuge, a Benevolent Society and a co-founder of the Eastern Emergency Relief Network!
Betty’s legacy is the stuff of legends and will be felt by many generations to come. Betty will be missed enormously.
Our deepest condolences go out to Betty’s family, but in particular to Keith and Jan whose support, loyalty, dedication and fierce advocacy of Betty’s care needs – truly inspired us all. As a consequence, their loving response to her care, contributed to the initial development of Umbrella Dementia Cafes Care & Share Program in 2019 that, to this day, continues to support 50 family carers every month.
If you’d like to donate to Umbrella Dementia Cafes in Betty’s name, please click the orange button below and follow the prompts.
Sincere appreciation and love to you all for making such a huge difference in the lives of the families who attend our dementia cafe every week.
