Every day, for the past five years, Betty Anstey would enjoy a cold beer at Murphy’s Pub in Oliver.
That all ended on Tuesday when the 73-year-old was struck by two vehicles while crossing Main Street in Oliver and was killed. The second vehicle did not stop at the scene.
“I’m heartbroken,” said Audrey Evans, who works at the pub. “She was very caring and if she couldn’t afford a beer she would come in with a can of tuna to give to us.”
Evans said people just fell in love with Anstey, even though she didn’t speak much due to a disability. Evans recalls a customer last Friday who came in and felt Anstey needed a hug. He got his two kids to sit and talk with her for a bit and give her a hug.
“She loved her hugs,” said Evans, who noted the woman would collect cans and pick up garbage around town. “She would often sit by herself and this summer a stranger on a motorbike came in and left a $200 tab for Betty so she could come in and have her beer and onion rings.”
Const. Kris Clark, media relations for the Southeast District RCMP, said a 46-year-old man attended the Oliver RCMP detachment on the evening of Nov. 25. He was identified as a suspect in connection with the fatal crash and was released without charges pending further investigation.
On Saturday, Murphy’s Pub is hosting a social to bring together people who knew Anstey to share their memories.
Anyone with information who has yet to speak with Mounties is asked to call Oliver RCMP at 250-498-3422 or Crime Stoppers.