Obituary of Bettie Thomas

To view the livestream of Bettie's service, please click HERE

Born 96 years ago in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Bettie followed her family as a very young girl after they relocated to Toronto.  There, she made lifelong friends, particularly in high school, while she attended Moulton College. 

She also didn’t have to look very far for the person who would become her best friend and husband, Keith Thomas, who lived next door.  Married in 1952, their family grew with each successive move: Alister (Toronto), Malcolm (Wolfville, NS), Kevin (Waterloo), and finally, Dylan – the dog (Kitchener).

Bettie loved being a mother, and wrenching tragedy struck the whole family when Malcolm died while on the Nahanni River in 1978.  Somehow, she managed to carry on, although a piece of her would always be missing.

Bettie lent her many talents to various organizations including the VON, the K-W Symphony Volunteer Committee, Knox Church, Waterloo, and for over 35 years, she was one of the friendly faces greeting audience members attending First United Church’s Noon Hour Concerts. 

Mom excelled at being the “Hostess with the Mostess” and her “Drowning of the Shamrock” get togethers were much anticipated by her friends.  Memories of strong coffee, whipping cream, and a hit of Irish Whiskey still come readily to mind, as do her array of cookies, jams, tomato butter, and squares.  She was often described as being gracious, well turned out, and a friendly presence, who preferred to be behind the scenes rather than centre stage.

Unfortunately, fairly soon after Keith’s death in 2003, Mom began to show signs of dementia, the disease that would ultimately take her from us.  Many thanks to Bettie’s Avondale neighbours, Seniors for Seniors, Kevin’s Partner Sue, and special thanks to Lee Reinhardt (Personal Care R.N.), and the stellar staff at Sunnyside-Buttonworks ward.  

Due to Covid, the service to celebrate Bettie’s life will be a socially distanced one; please wear a N95 mask if attending the actual in-person service.  The memorial service will take place on Friday, October 7, at 11 a.m. at Knox Presbyterian Church, 50 Erb St. W., Waterloo.  The service will also be live-streamed, if you feel more comfortable attending that way, and will be available at www.erbgood.com. 

If you would like to mark Bettie’s passing with a donation, please make one to a charity of your choice, she liked them all and they can be arranged through Erb & Good Family Funeral home, www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.