Elizabeth 'Betty' Louise (Morrison) Duff
Born In: Sydney
Passed in: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Our beautiful wife and mother, Betty Duff, born in 1927 in Sydney, Cape Breton, N.S., passed away peacefully at her home in Vancouver, surrounded by her loving family after a life fully lived.
Betty studied pharmacy at Dalhousie University after completing high school in Sydney. A lifelong adventurer and learner, she took a train across Canada alone at age 20, settling in Calgary, where she worked at the Holy Cross Hospital. She then spent a year in Vancouver working at Cunningham’s #1 Drug Store in English Bay in 1948 before marrying Lawrence 'Lawrie' Duff the following year at St. Andrews United Church, Sydney. In Calgary, they established Duffoto Process, a photo-engraving and graphic arts company in 1953. They also raised three daughters, (Nancy, Patsy, and Jane), emphasizing the importance of education, service, arts and culture, travel, and family.
Betty had a wonderful sense of humour and an elegant personal style that reflected her flair for fashion, design, and fun. She enjoyed taking courses, playing bridge and cribbage, reading biographies, taking part in various sports and social activities (especially at the Glencoe Club and Kerrisdale Community Centre) and exploring the world with her equally adventurous husband and children. She was also a faithful volunteer for the Rotary Club, Meals on Wheels, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the United Church, caring for elderly and infirm friends and neighbours.
Predeceased by her parents, Willena and John H. R. Morrison of Sydney, she is mourned by her younger sister Carol Gavel, her nieces Sandra (MacLean) and Michelle (Bates), and their families (all in Dartmouth, N.S.), her cousins Lois Ross, Ernie MacLean and Joyce Williston (in Sydney), her devoted and caring husband of 65 years, Lawrie; her loving daughters, Nancy, Patsy and Jane Duff and their families (Linda Corrigan, Maria Andersson, Duanduan Li; and grandchildren, Bonnie and Dominic Duff); and her younger sister, Carol Gavel and her family, all in Dartmouth, N.S. During her final five years in Vancouver, Betty took great delight in family gatherings, trips, and performances (especially those by Bonnie and Dom, of whom she was very proud), and she loved to reminisce about happy events with a twinkle in her eye and the animated refrain: “Those were the days, my friend!”
The family is very grateful for the excellent care provided by Dr. Desai-Ranchod and Hali Downs, and many other wonderful professionals and friends.
Drop-in receptions in honour of Betty's life will take place at their home in Vancouver on Saturday, October 11, 2014 from 1 to 4 p.m. and at the Glencoe Club in Calgary on Sunday, October 26, 2014 from 2 to 5 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations of time or money in Betty Duff’s memory to the charity of your choice.
