Obituary of Bertha BETTS

Betts, Bertha (Boyd). 97 (February 10, 1919 to July 21, 2016). She made the world's greatest apple pies! Bertha was a painter and quilter, a Registered Nurse, and the founder of the Mississauga Meals On Wheels program, only the second of its kind in Canada. She was devoted to her family: her sisters Reta, Edna, Dorothy and Isabel, and her brother Glen; to her husband and children, two Jims and a Margaret (Rob McKnight); to her two grandchildren Courtenay and Emily Betts, and their mother Catherine Knights. She enjoyed the support and friendship of her large extended family, including many favourite nieces and nephews, the generosity of her in-laws in the Knights and McKnight families, as well as the lifelong friends she and Jim made in their many years in Applewood, particularly at Applewood United Church. She will also be missed by newer members of her family - all of the Berthas (including Paula, Lorretta, Toni and Alison) who have played her in the musical about her life, Extraordinary (which was produced by Smile Theatre in honour of her 90th Birthday), Kate Barris, and the company of Dancer, which she watched from the front row at its final Showcase, just after her 97th Birthday. Thanks to the Helen Henderson Care Centre, in Loyalist, Ontario, for taking such good care of Bertha in her final years, and especially in her last few days. She passed away there this past Thursday, with Margaret at her side. Bertha was brought up in rural Ontario near Markdale, and always enjoyed her time in the country, especially at any cottage with Margaret; and she will return to a peaceful country setting when she is interred on Wolfe Island, near Kingston. Bertha was as determined, and resilient, as she was generous. If you were one of the people, projects or institutions she was passionate about, you were very lucky indeed. (And did we mention her apple pies?) In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bertha's name to The Canadian Cancer Society, or to any of the organizations mentioned above. A Memorial Service will be held at Applewood United Church, 2067 Stanfield Rd, Mississauga, L4Y 1R4, on Friday August 12 at 2 PM.