Betty passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, at ‘PeopleCare’ Meaford Long Term Care Centre on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the age of 92.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband Trevor Smith on July 3, 1999.
Betty was the loving mother of Katie McNamara (Paul) and Allan Hargreaves-Smith (Joan).
She was the wonderful grandmother of Nikola McNamara and Shawn McNamara (Deanna Lee).
Betty was born on July 24, 1932, a daughter of the late William Henry and Isabella Ellway. She was predeceased by her sisters Bonnie, Phyllis, Violet, Ivy, Doris, Margaret and their spouses.
Betty will be forever missed by her special sister Jenny Turley (Geoff), niece Julie Hume (Jim), and honorary family member Sandra Manierka (Jamie). Also, very special long-time friends Val Humphries (late John) in England, Annette and Ray Attwood, Betty Shaw (late Lawrie), Helen Menary (late Norm), special family friend Agnes Nagypal, and all of her many nieces, nephews, and their families in England and Canada.
Born in Kent, England, Betty trained in London as a nurse during the late 1940s. She immigrated to Canada in 1964. She qualified as a Canadian registered nurse and worked at the Peterborough Civic Hospital in the labour and delivery unit until the family moved to Toronto in 1969. Betty then worked as Director of Nursing in Long-Term Care homes: Parkdale Nursing Home, Maynard Nursing Home, and Aurora Resthaven.
She moved to Meaford in 1988 and was the Administrator at Errinrung Nursing Home in Thornbury until her retirement. Betty was very dedicated to her profession and was a caring, passionate nurse always with the concern of her patients and residents foremost. Betty was well respected by her co-workers through her working career, and many remained good friends with her over the years.
Her two grandchildren, Shawn and Nikola, were her pride and joy, and she loved spending lots of time with them in her retirement. Both grandchildren enjoyed a special bond with their ‘Nano’ right up until her passing. She was a supportive, positive influence in their lives.
Betty enjoyed spending time with her wonderful group of friends, especially the late Florence Lynch with whom she travelled and had many adventures. Over the years, Betty had been an active member of the Meaford 55 Club, United Church Busy Bees, Owen Sound and Thornbury writing clubs, and Meaford lawn bowling. She also had volunteered with the SVE School breakfast program and at the Meaford Long Term Care Home.
Betty was beloved by all those whose lives she touched through the years and will be sadly missed. A Life Well Lived!
A special thank you to the staff, especially the nurses and PSWs at Meaford Long Term Care Home for the care and kindness shown to Betty during her time there.
As per Betty’s request, there will be a private family commemorative ceremony at a later date.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Meaford Nursing Home Auxiliary (cheques only please) would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON, N4L 1B9, to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca
