Born in Welland, Ontario in 1931, Bette moved to Port Colborne in 1951. She was heavily involved in the Port Colborne community and sports - starting both the Port Colborne Minor Girls Softball Association and the Port Colborne Comettes Ladies Fastball Team. She has been a player, manager, and coach through her years as well as serving on the board of directors for several organizations locally, provincially, and nationally.
Bette has been inducted into the Softball Canada and Provincial Women’s Softball Hall of Fames and has served on the Olympic Committee to have softball added as an Olympic sport. Recipient of the prestigious Rolf Lund Jule Nisse Award, she received in recognition for her contribution as a volunteer from the “Playground to Podium” initiative.
Bette served as the Ontario Commissioner for Softball Canada. She was the first woman ever elected Vice President of Softball Canada and was also the Chairman of the officiating committee for Softball Canada. Bette was a fully certified national coach and volunteered for numerous teams making a positive impact on Port Colborne youth, winning numerous provincial titles along the way.
Bette has received numerous awards and recognition for her years in sport and giving back to her community. Fittingly, the Provincial Women’s Softball Association “Volunteer of the Year” trophy is named the Bette Kalailieff Volunteer of the Year, and in 1988 Bette was the first recipient.
